The Leatherhead Job
Monday morning was depressingly grey. I'd slept until noon and woke to that paranoid feeling I get whenever I've snoozed late and have things I should be doing. It's like disappointment crossed with anxiety with a good dose of self-hatred added to the mix. No midnight scrawls on my notepad though, which was a good start. Don't think I could have handled them this morn. Coffee now.
Two cups of instant and a steamy shower perked me a little. Half a dozen calls to agencies brought me back down to earth. A call to the bank to get my balance set me on a one way trip to depression-ville.
Then it happened. The phone rang. I held little hope for good news, not today. Probably the Kid back from a two hour lunch, a little bored and looking for idle chit chat.
'Mr Dodson?'
'Speaking.'
'This is Jason from the agency.'
'Hi Jas, what's blowin broz?' We'd spoken once before, but what the hell, a little over-familiarity could hardly harm my cause.
'Um, yeah, good.' I'd thrown him. Mental note: lose the over-familiarity. He continued 'The reason I'm calling is because we have a full time opening for a web designer slash developer in Leatherhead and after looking at your resume we think you'd be perfect for the position.'
'Fuckin A man, like bitchin! I mean yes, do you have any more information on the position?' It's amazing what nine months out of work will do to your vocab.
I took down the details and within minutes had gotten a call back confirming the interview.
'You da man Doddo, you da man.' Then looking in the mirror and pointing. 'Who da man?' An overly animated wink coupled with a sideways head shift, then once more with volume for effect 'Who da man?'
'You're the man Doddo.' Said Mel.
'Fuck Mel. Where'd you come from? You scared eight sorts of shit outta me!'
'Been here all day.' She replied with a smirk.
'Sorry about that. A little excited. Just scored my first interview.'
'Nice one Doddo. Where abouts?'
'Leatherhead, sounds kinda kinky don't it?'
'Prostitution or web stuff?'
'Hopefully a little of both. I'll take either.'
'When?'
'Friday. Got myself four days babe. Four days.'
'Coffee?'
'No ta. Life to organise.'
This was it. Something to work with. Even if I didn't score the Leatherhead job. Huh, Leatherhead job - that's kinda funny. Anyway, even if I didn't gain employment in Leatherhead, I'd be richer for the experience. I'd have an interview under my belt. And with a date set I had something to aim at.
