Page 21 of The Secret Job: Into the Depths of Depravity
“Actually he has a work trip coming up, a conference in Sydney.”
“That’s nice for him. Will you work whilst he’s away?”
“I will, but I will miss him. I also feel a bit jealous that he gets to go away for work. Isn’t that insane?”
“Given your line of work, I guess maybe. Which part are you jealous of? The traveling or him meeting people?”
“Both. I wouldn’t mind working somewhere where I’m important enough to travel and get to hang out and meet new people.”
“You are important and kinda do get to hang out with new people. Just on a client job basis.” I giggle. “But seriously,” I continue, “I know we don’t do that kind of thing for work, but how about a hobby? Maybe you can do that sort of thing for a convention or something? A tattoo convention or Comicon?
“Are you saying I need a hobby?”
“No! But don’t you have any hobbies?”
“I like to work out, that counts right?”
“Yes, that does count. Isn’t there a fitness gathering or something?” I say hopelessly, trying to help but feeling like I’m not helping one bit right now.
“Maybe, I do feel like I’m getting twitchy. I have beenworking at Clarendon for nearly three years, I don’t have kids to take up my time. I either work out, work or spend time with Sam. I think I need something new, I’m not sure what but I’ll give it some thought.”
“I’ll have a think about it too. I love to read, but that’s not your jam is it?”
“Sends me to sleep. I can do either Vogue magazine or Apple news and that’s it.”
“Fair enough.”
“Enough of me. Tell me, what jobs on the Red list are you eyeing up because I know you are, you are not the sort to go easier when you can go hard and exciting. Am I right? Tell me I’m wrong?”
“You are right,” I concede. “What can I do, I’m given access to the Red board, of course I want to try out a job from the Red board.”
“So what jobs do you have your eye on? I had a look last night knowing we were going to chat about them today.”
“Don’t judge me…”
Sophie throws her napkin at me, “Roxy, you know there is no judgement from me.”
Taking a deep breath, I answer with closed eyes so I don’t see her reaction, “Needles.”
“Of course, you say needles.” I hear her playfully exasperated tone.
Opening my eyes I ask, “Have you done that job?”
“No, it doesn’t float my boat. They can stick their needles where the sun don’t shine.”
“Ah ok.”
“Doesn’t mean my mentor didn’t though. She did it, she was ok. No lasting effects etc. But ouch if you ask me.”
“What exactly was done to your mentor?” I ask sitting forward to listen closer.
“They’re like medical supply needles. Depending on whatyour clients like, they thread them through the bits of you that gets them off the most and most of the time it’s your tits and your other lips.” She smiles and cringes at the same time.
“Do they numb it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you can buy that numbing cream you can get from the pharmacy that you can rub in your arm before vaccinations.”
“Now there’s an idea,” I reply smiling.
