"Because a great and effective door is opened to me, and there are many that..."
"You know that saying, that when God closes a door he opens a window, well, sometimes out of nowhere he’ll do you one better and he’ll kick a whole wall down." ~Glee, "Furt" (season 2, episode 8, original airdate November 23, 2010), written by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, spoken by the character Burt Hummel
I stared at the swollen paper cut on my index finger, as I dropped the copies of the financial report on a pile at the desk. The rest of the copies would have to wait till tomorrow I reasoned. Besides, there was no rush this particular week. The whole office was buzzing with the fact that the CEO and the Chairman of the Board 'the big boss' was in town and they were going to a gala in one of the priciest and trendiest restaurants in midtown Manhattan. So they scurried, hurried and busied. And what did I do? The same of course, with the exception of the scurrying.
You see my duties were pretty much set. As the newest, youngest, darkest and most junior member of this elite group of Stock, Securities and Bond Brokers and Managers, I was just happy to be in a different and Oh so financially rewarding environment. I was 22 years old and had just started this job about three weeks earlier. I would work in the day, and then take some classes in the evening to bring me up to par with the world of stocks, securities and bonds. Since I had absolutely no background in Finance. So with the evening classes and the fact that I was still on 'new-hire probation', talk of meeting big wigs and schmoozing in opulence was neither in my books nor my expectations. And that was all fine and well. They (my co-workers) were all kind and good to me on the trading floor, so I never felt left out.
So this particular day, I told my Supervisor I would have to leave an hour earlier than usual. I had a trial test that evening. She was either giddy with excitement about the upcoming gala or she did not really think much of it, because she waved me off without further inquiry. That my friend, was not characteristics of her. So off I ran to catch the elevator and be on my studios and purposeful way. The office was all the way downtown at Wall Street and the Financial Class was at the Upper-west side (Lincoln Center). So during rush-hour, every minute mattered. Besides, I could not afford to miss my train and be late for class.
I took a shortcut from the office, (privy only to the menial workers :)). Then ran through the back storage room, just in time to see the elevator door about to shut. Ever made a 'mountain out of a mole hill'? This was one of those times. I ran towards the closing doors like my life depended on it. Tried to shove my heavy book-bag in between. When someone put their hand forward and activated the sensors which slid the doors open again. I walked in thankful, but a tad bit embarrassed for not just waiting for another elevator. There were eight cars in that elevator bank 'for crying out loud!'
I noticed there were three distinguishly dressed gentlemen in the elevator I had just barged my way into. In these parts (Wall Street), their expensive and well-tailored suits were so crisp you could slice bread with it. So there I stood, feeling mortified and regretting every decision I had made the past half-hour. I also wondered, why I did not just run a comb through my hair before leaping over storage boxes or taken the time to strengthen my semi-cheap skirt suit (Hey for a 22 year old hustler, I was doing just fine thank you!). Even for further torture, I appraised my contorted image at the doors fake mirrors and pondered at the disheveled appearance I saw staring back at me. What a bad hair and clothing and demeanor day, if ever there was one. My co-riders were probably thinking who let the stray cat out, I grimaced to myself. Or were they?
To be continued...
PS: One of the main characters in this story has passed on. It is with a heavy heart, kind memories and the utmost respect that I shall continue.
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