I came home, put the shopping away, checked my messages.
‘You have no new messages’
I was beginning to get a little frustrated. Charlie’s secretary hadn’t called me in over three weeks, and even then, it was only to confirm my bank details and tax status.
when I joined Charlie’s organisation, they told me that I would most probably get a least a week’s worth of work every month. That was nine weeks ago.
I was told I was to be the fifth angel – ie. the second standby. If two of the front three are killed or put out of action or if the girl ahead of me takes up a position and is then killed, at this point i get to do front line work. I?m beginning to suspect that they tell all the girls that just to make sure they stay on.
but so far I have spent most of my time filling in forms: background checks, aptitude tests, credit history etc.
when i last spoke to Charlie’s secretary, she said that they would be in contact with me by the end of the week. She said that even if they didn’t have any front line work they would probably have some admin work for me to do as they were getting a new filing system and It would be a good opportunity me me to familiarise myself with how the operation works.
but I haven’t heard anything. Every time I phone them I have to leave a message on the answerphone.
“You’ve reached the offices of Charles Townsend. No-one is able to answer the phone right now, however if you wish to leave a message the please do so after the beep.”
They say its a security measure, but I haven?t received a call back yet. I had to pay $500 set-up costs to them before they would even put me on the books. they said it was to cover background checks and to pay for the medical check-up. It seemed like a lot of money, but then I was promised a decent rate and regular work. I had to take some money from my savings to pay for it and now I?m beginning to worry a bit.
***
I just got a call from Charlie’s secretary. she apologised for not getting back to me. apparently the new filing system is somewhat chaotic and its taken up all their time just getting it working so they hadn’t had time to return the messages.
she said that the girl in front of me (the forth angel) is in hospital. she fell off her horse and may have fractured her pelvis. this would put her out of the running and promoted me to her place. all i need now is for one of the angels to have an accident and i?ll get my front-line place.
I?m very excited, I’ve been working out a bit harder to make sure I’m in shape. I hope something happens to one of the angels.
***
I’ve just found out that the fourth angel didn’t fracture her pelvis. she suffered a bit of bruising but nothing else. I?m back to fifth position.
***
It?s been nearly eleven weeks now. I asked of I could talk to Charlie – just to find out what was going on. I was quite angry. But the secretary said that Charlie only speaks to front-line angels and that I shouldn’t ask again.
She also said that there had been I slight problem with my background check: they couldn’t get in touch with one of my former employers for a reference. I said that I thought they might have closed down or relocated.
The secretary put me on hold for a few minutes. Then she said that they would have to suspend my position as fifth angel until they could get hold of my referee. After I put the phone down I cried for half an hour.
***
I’ve applied for a job as a legal secretary. It?s not quite what I want to do, but it should pay the bills until I get the call-up from Charlie.
The 5th Angel
I came home, put the shopping away, checked my messages.
‘You have no new messages’
I was beginning to get a little frustrated. Charlie’s secretary hadn’t called me in over three weeks, and even then, it was only to confirm my bank details and tax status.
when I joined Charlie’s organisation, they told me that I would most probably get a least a week’s worth of work every month. That was nine weeks ago.
I was told I was to be the fifth angel – ie. the second standby. If two of the front three are killed or put out of action or if the girl ahead of me takes up a position and is then killed, at this point i get to do front line work. I?m beginning to suspect that they tell all the girls that just to make sure they stay on.
but so far I have spent most of my time filling in forms: background checks, aptitude tests, credit history etc.
when i last spoke to Charlie’s secretary, she said that they would be in contact with me by the end of the week. She said that even if they didn’t have any front line work they would probably have some admin work for me to do as they were getting a new filing system and It would be a good opportunity me me to familiarise myself with how the operation works.
but I haven’t heard anything. Every time I phone them I have to leave a message on the answerphone.
“You’ve reached the offices of Charles Townsend. No-one is able to answer the phone right now, however if you wish to leave a message the please do so after the beep.”
They say its a security measure, but I haven?t received a call back yet. I had to pay $500 set-up costs to them before they would even put me on the books. they said it was to cover background checks and to pay for the medical check-up. It seemed like a lot of money, but then I was promised a decent rate and regular work. I had to take some money from my savings to pay for it and now I?m beginning to worry a bit.
***
I just got a call from Charlie’s secretary. she apologised for not getting back to me. apparently the new filing system is somewhat chaotic and its taken up all their time just getting it working so they hadn’t had time to return the messages.
she said that the girl in front of me (the forth angel) is in hospital. she fell off her horse and may have fractured her pelvis. this would put her out of the running and promoted me to her place. all i need now is for one of the angels to have an accident and i?ll get my front-line place.
I?m very excited, I’ve been working out a bit harder to make sure I’m in shape. I hope something happens to one of the angels.
***
I’ve just found out that the fourth angel didn’t fracture her pelvis. she suffered a bit of bruising but nothing else. I?m back to fifth position.
***
It?s been nearly eleven weeks now. I asked of I could talk to Charlie – just to find out what was going on. I was quite angry. But the secretary said that Charlie only speaks to front-line angels and that I shouldn’t ask again.
She also said that there had been I slight problem with my background check: they couldn’t get in touch with one of my former employers for a reference. I said that I thought they might have closed down or relocated.
The secretary put me on hold for a few minutes. Then she said that they would have to suspend my position as fifth angel until they could get hold of my referee. After I put the phone down I cried for half an hour.
***
I’ve applied for a job as a legal secretary. It?s not quite what I want to do, but it should pay the bills until I get the call-up from Charlie.