"Okay Andy, you've got this.... it's just a large corporate entity that would either save or completely destroy you... no pressure."
Andy Matthews told himself as he stood outside the doors of Jade and Ashley's Insurance Company.
One of the most trusted and recognised companies in the country.
He took a few deep breath, then another before walking through the sliding doors.
Inside was busy.
Countless people stood in lines awaiting to be attended to, voices overlapping, phones ringing endlessly.
Andy felt his neck tighten at the number, he had to adjust his tie slightly.
He walked up to the front desk and rang the little bell there. A woman slowly rose from underneath, her facial expression cold and unwelcoming.
She had bags under her eyes, she slowly blinked one eye at a time.
"Y-yes welcome to...(yawns loudly.)... to Jade and Ashley's Insurance, how may I be of service?" She asked him, her eyes giving him a quick over.
"Oh im here for the vacant job position as the Insurance Specialist....yeah." he said, his nerves making simple conversations difficult.
The woman simply blinks slowly, she goes to her computer, then back at him.
"Take the elevator and head up to floor 5, you'll find the HR, just give him your application and he'll guide you from there." She told him.
Andy bowed and turned, heading towards the elevator. The eyes of people followed him constantly, judging him and his every move.
This made him extremely uncomfortable, he pressed the button multiple times until the elevator finally descended.
Out came a large number of people, all having that tired and lost expression edged on their faces.
"Ah, my back, that 43 hour shift was hell, I need some rest and relaxation." A woman muttered, cracking her back with a loud pop.
"Im telling you, im taking one of my leave days soon, i can't keep going if i wont." A man said, his hands shaking as he held onto his coffee.
They all turned towards Andy, their expressions turning to one of curiosity for a few seconds.
"Who's this?." Another man asked, pointing right at Andy.
"Oh I think he's the rookie who will be joining us soon, yeah the new I.S." the woman responded.
They both looked at Andy and turned back, heading for the exit. "Poor kid, he doesn't know what he's in for." The man said.
The woman nudged his shoulder. "Shhh, don't scare the new recruits."
She told the man as they left.
Andy just watched until the elevator door opened, he stepped in and pressed the button, 5th floor.
The ascent was slow, but it did give him enough time to calm his nerves. "Dont worry Andy, you've got this. This is what you've been preparing for." He told himself.
He held his briefcase over his chest as the elevator finally stopped and opened, "You got this." He said as he stepped out.
The 5th floor was a cluster and people were running around and papers were flying all over. Andy tried his best to dodge but a woman ran right into him.
Crush!!
Paper scattered all over the place, everyone paused for a few moments before going back to work.
Andy rubbed his head and apologised but the woman was already picking up her documents.
"No this isnt file 32.. where is file 20?.. oh I'm going to be in so much trouble." She told herself as she panicked to grab all the papers.
"Im sorry, let me just help you out real quick." He offered, as he began to pick up the documents.
As he reached out for one the woman held his hand, her grip surprising tight for how soft her hand was.
"No you don't touch anything , you'll just make it worse." She told him, her eyes boring into his soul.
Andy backed away slowly, not wanting to get involved anymore. Then a heavy metallic screeching sound echoed through the whole floor.
Everyone began to work faster, the woman on the floor managed to grab everything and ran to her cubicle.
Andy stood dead centre as the whole room was panicking. Then he heard a voice, sharp, harsh and commanding.
"Damn it, someone call HR and tell them that Steve should grease the sliding doors, then fire him with pay or benefits!."
A tall dark haired woman said, as her heels clicked hard against the floor like gunshots.
"Don't you think that's a bit too much, i would have just docked his pay for 6 months."
A white haired woman responded the some manner and tone, heels moving softer against the floor.
"I dont do soft, unlike you." The dark haired woman responded.
They walked in tandem, hips swaying with every step. Their gaze finally landed on Andy.
They gave him a once over before speaking.
"Why aren't you working? Who is your supervisor? Where is Richard?." The dark haired woman asked.
" Richard, get your ass out here now!" She demanded. A balding man emerged from one of the cubicles, his face red and sweaty.
"Yes Ms Jade, how may I be of service?" He asked, voice trembling slightly.
"Who is this man? Why is he just standing around?" Jade asked, pointing her perfect finger at Andy.
Richard swallowed hard, he looked at Andy and saw the briefcase, he gave a light cough before continuing.
"Well you see ma'am this is the new I.S of the company, his first day so he was waiting for some guidance from me. Right kid?" He asked Andy.
Andy didn't even hear most of what he said, he was too focused on the two mountains standing in front him.
Richard jabbed his shoulder slightly, knocking back into his senses.
"Huh? Oh yes, I'm the new I.S. I was supposed to meet with HR but Richard said he'll guide me."
Andy told them, rubbing his neck softly. Jade stared at him intensely, she circled him as if trying to find something.
"Richard. You're on a 48 hour shift for lying to me, you'll not be paid for this. "She told him, not bothering to look in his direction.
Richard wanted to speak but didnt, he simply bowed and walked away.
Jade then turned her attention to Ashley.
"Ashley, take his documents and hand them over to HR, I'll take him to his office." She said.
Ashley reached out and grabbed his briefcase, her white hair brushing against Andy's face slightly.
"You don't have to boss me around, we're equals, you know."
"And don't over do it with him, his new here, just take it easy on him." Ashley muttered as she turned and left.
Now Andy was standing face to face with an imposing Ms Jade, his heart beat faster with every second gone.
"How am I gonna survive this?" He thought.