Page 55 of Dirty News
Duke chimed in, “Lila gets along great with everyone. She’s a naturalleader.”
“I can see that.” Artimus gave me a nod. “We’ll let you get back to work. Answer what you want and leave the rest for Nina. She’ll be up shortly to get your information so she’ll be able to work from her computer in the office I’ve just assignedher.”
Nina now had her own office. I knew she had to be excited about that. “I can’t wait to see her. Thank you,sir.”
“Lila?” Artimusasked.
“Yes,sir?”
“Just call me Artimus, please.Siris so … I don’t know, old sounding. Okay?” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets as he smiled atme.
“Sure, Artimus. I can do that. See you guys later.” I went back to reading some of the messages on mycomputer.
The two walked out, leaving me alone, but I had every idea that Duke would be back sometime later that day. Just before he shut the door behind them, Duke called out to me, “Lunch at Jimmy’s around two,Lila?”
I looked up with a smile. “Youbuying?”
“No, it’s your turn to pay, cheapskate.” He winked atme.
“Oh, man. I knew my time would come. Knock at my door to remind me when it’s two, and I’ll joinyou.”
“Sure thing.” He left me then, and I found myself still smilingaway.
The time flew as I read through as many of the emails as I could. Nina came up to my office, and her excitement with the extra job and income was obvious. “Lila, I’m like your assistant or media secretary or something. How cool is that?” She wasbeaming.
“I’m glad it’s you who got the job.” I started writing down the usernames and passwords to all the accounts so that she could access them from her office. “I heard you’ve been given your own office,Nina.”
“I have, and it’s a nice one too. You’ll have to come see it. And try not to look down your nose at it. It’s not nearly as large or nice as this one is, but it’s my first office, so I’m pretty stoked aboutit.”
“I bet you are. I’ll stop by after lunch and check it out. Maybe bring you a cool stapler or something like that.” I pushed the paper across the desk to her. “Here’s everything you’ll need to gain access to these accounts. I’ll try go through some every day too, so you don’t getoverwhelmed.”
“You’re truly the best, Lila.” She pointed to a plant that sat on the window ledge behind me. “And how about you forgo the stapler as an office warming gift and get me a plant instead. I’ve got my very own windowtoo.”
“Look at you,” I said with a laugh. “A plant it isthen.”
She was all smiles. “You know, I came here a lowly cue card girl, and on the first day of actual work I get promoted to media assistant and given my own office.” She pointed at the other two doors in my office. “Mine doesn’t have any other doors in it. Where do thoselead?”
“A private bathroom and a closet.” I looked at them both. “But don’t get jealous. If you need to use my private bathroom, all you have to do isask.”
“And I just might do that.” She got up. “Well, I’ve got to get to work on these things here. I have a goal to get every last one of these things commented on or liked by the end of eachworkday.”
“And follow back too.” I suggested as she walked away fromme.
“Will do, boss.” She giggled all the way out thedoor.
Everyone was on cloud nine the whole morning, everything going off without a hitch. It was all coming together. And then came the knock on my door at twoo’clock.
Instead of buzzing him in, I met Duke at the door. “I’mready.”
“Good.” He stayed by my side as we walked to the elevators. “I’m starving. I sure hope you brought your credit cardtoday.”
“You’re in luck.” I hit the button to go down the elevator. A few others came up behind us. We wouldn’t be making the trip downalone.
The place was busy. It didn’t even seem like the same place we’d be showing up to in the days leading up to today. The lobby was busy too, I found out as we stepped off theelevator.
“Whoa, what’s all this?” one of the other women on the elevatorasked.
Some other guy answered, “We’re open for business, and business isgood.”
