Page 28 of Legally Yours
I’m thrilled Leslie is willing to step up. I get all the materials together, and we bang out copy after copy all morning long, all glossy, all upper-level professional. From afternoon and into the night, we hand out flyers to prospective girls outside the firm and around targeted parts of town where beauties are known to linger.
By the time the city lights spark, Leslie and I sit down on a city bench. Our hands and bags are empty of flyers. We’re beat but truly satisfied that we made a dent in the competition.
“I’ve literally worn the heels off these shoes. Will AMA reimburse me?” Leslie says, rubbing her feet.
“Definitely. I know in my gut we’re going to get new hits from this campaign.”
“I thought Liam told you everything would turn out all right?”
“He did. And I admire him for his confidence. But I’m not taking any chances. Manolito wants to play dirty. We won’t lower ourselves to that track, but we can promote and succeed in our promotion. Our track record speaks for itself. I’ll bet by tomorrow, our phones will be ringing off the hook.”
“Does it bother you Liam pulls the strings at Anderson?” Leslie looks over at me with concern.
“No. It’s his agency, after all, and I enjoy supporting him and this firm. Everything comes out in the wash. Anderson’s success ends up being shared by all.”
“True. Fair enough, then.”
“Hey, Leslie, I know this isn’t the best time to ask, considering how beat we both are. But would you help me with a one-day job fair tomorrow? It’s my baby. I’m running it how I see fit. I’ll need an extra interviewer, and your feet can sit this one out behind a desk. How ‘bout it? Are you still game?”
“I can sit? Okay. That I can do. We’ll crush the job fair. I was wondering about the notice of a fair at the bottom of the flier. That makes sense now. Attract them, then rope them in. Good tactic, girl!”
We both laugh, although even our funny bones are beat.
* * *
The next dayin the firm’s conference room, I have interview tables and chairs set up and promotional posters and information stands posted and positioned throughout the room. And with Leslie at my side as well as other administration staff processing registrants, the place is humming at the stroke of nine, with a line outside around the block of eager girls.
“Will you look at this turn-out, Leslie? It’s better than I dreamed.” My smile is so wide my cheeks ache.
“That’s no joke. It’s like they’re lining up for rock star tickets.” Leslie flashes a toothy smile.
By the time the doors open, both Leslie and I are in full interview mode. We go from girl to girl, getting down their particulars and examining their portfolios. The ones who make the mark we guide to the in-house photographer for some test shots.
My mood couldn’t be anymore upbeat until David saunters in, and then my world crashes around me. My gut tells me he’s here to sabotage the fair. I paste on a fake smile and listen to his every word, watching his moves.
“My, my, isn’t this cozy? Drumming up models for your dwindling business, I gather?” David pastes on a wry grin. “Listen, girls, if you want a real agency, this isn’t the one for you.”
I pull him aside and whisper. “David! What the heck are you doing?”
Before he has a chance to answer, I text Liam.
Get down here ASAP. David’s here, and he’s making a scene. Saying AMA is a lousy agency.
“Listen, Cassandra, I’ll stop messing with your job fair if you agree to talk with me now. Five minutes of your time. That’s all I ask.”
I sigh and examine David’s expression. It changes in an instant from smarmy to genuine. I want nothing to do with the guy, but I know how vital this job fair is to Liam’s agency, so I agree to talk with him. What choice do I really have but to placate the guy, so the fair doesn’t implode?
“Fine, David. But please, stop the name-calling. Stop making a scene. We can talk, okay? Just settle down. Just give me a minute to arrange things with Leslie.”
I walk over to Leslie’s table and pull her to one side. “Listen, I have to humor this guy so he doesn’t ruin our prospects here today. Can you hold down the fort while I talk with David?”
“Are you sure that’s a wise move? You know how desperate he is to get you back.”
“Maybe not the wisest move, but I can’t have him walking around here scaring off our prospectives, can I? I’ll placate him. Then he can move off, and we can finish this fair on a high note.”
Leslie grabs both my arms. I can tell she’s not liking this one bit. “Cassandra, I’m against you going anywhere with this man. My spidey sense is up. You don’t know what he’ll do next if he’s willing to sabotage this fair.”
“Listen, I won’t be long. We’ll probably hit some quiet place to talk.”