2 MONDAYS

A very sleepy and groggy looking Amanda woke up in the morning having fallen asleep at her writing desk. She tried really hard to remember what day it was failing to do so she looked at the calendar that hung on the wall above her computer desk. She struggled to see through the slits of her half open eyes, refusing them to open any wider because of the sunlight streaming in through the windows.

" Mo..n.day..." When her eyes fell on the date however, all signs of sleep and morning weariness were gone.

Amanda hopped from her chair and sped to her bathroom to take a bath. four minutes later she was brushing her teeth and making her morning coffee all at the same time while trying to get dressed.

"No, no, no... She stared at the watch on her kitchen wall and panicked even more "no! Please not today I can not be late today of all days." she picked her coffee mug and almost took a sip before remembering she still had tooth paste in her mouth.

Five minutes and thirty-two seconds later she rushed from her apartment with a slice of toast and an apple in one hand, in the other a pile of documents that looked like they would fall at any moment.

" Oh well good morning Amanda." Her next door neighbor a kind and gentle old lady with her pet dog whom Amanda never knew what breed it belonged to despite her best efforts.

Amanda said a quick polite good morning too and sped off before the woman could engage her in any form of conversation at all.

....

An almost sweat drenched Amanda walked through the doors of JK company's second largest branch building and immediately received the attention of many people who only seconds ago where busy in conversation. Their gazes never stayed on her for too long as they went back to whatever they were doing before.

Suzy Walsh, even though not remotely related to Amanda despite sharing the same last name, rushed over and gave no room for explanations.

" Late! today of all days, What on earth were you doing and thinking."

Suzy was the only person that Amanda truly trusted around here, not that she didn't get long with majority of her workmates

" Did you bring them?"

Amanda asked, her friend nodded and she wasted no time dragging her to the women's room.

There Suzy helped Amanda fix her makeup and her clothes. She could always count on her best friend to work her magic.

Once they stepped out and back into the large room that served as their open office area. Amanda finally let out a sigh of relief. Two minutes to spare.

Today was the day that JK was receiving a new branch manager. Its not that it was the first time ever because they rotated mangers at least twice a year. It's just that this year, unlike the rest, no one not even their superiors knew who it would be.

Knowing who came next allowed them to prepare for the worst. Do their research in form of gossip and scandals or previous work methods used by their new managers and adapt to them before they made their lives a living hell.

" Any news yet?"

Amanda asked Suzy as they both took their morning coffee.

" Nope. Absolutely nothing, if you ask me I think those goody two shoes know something and just aren't telling us on purpose."

Yep you could always count on Suzy to come up with her theories.

" It's just such stress that he or she, who knows it could be a man again or a woman for a change- just saying could be nice to have a woman for a change, anyway- had to come today of all days when Mr Darson decided that your the one making the POLE presentation."

Amanda could see that her friend was genuinely concerned for her,

" But don't worry the Amanda Walsh that I know is going to kick ass in that board room!"

This brought a smile to Amanda's face even though her stomach was doing weird things that happened only when she was anxious.

" Thank-" She was cut short by the rather irritating voice of none other than Emiline Cartwall, Head of the witches Coven of all Interns. (WCAI) That was what Suzy called the band of depressing interns that thought they were better than every other intern in this room.

" More like kiss ass. Humph." Her eyes roamed Amanda's entire frame with complete distaste. " If I were you I would have stayed home and never shown my face to begin with, might save yourself the embarrassment."

" Well it's a good thing your not me, the smell of your perfume alone could make you fail in that boardroom. But its good of you to say because now me and Suzy both know what you would have done in my shoes. Kiss ass isn't that how you got a place here to begin with?" Amanda answered without even the slightest bit of fear, then added with a smile, " and good morning, didn't you ever learn that it's rude to begin conversing with out greeting?"

" Or did you forget your manners?" Suzy added feigning shock as she brought a hand to her mouth.

All the while Emiline sulked and played the I don't care card before she decided to walk away but not before cursing under her breath loud enough for only Amanda and Suzy to hear.

They all saw Mr. Clocksworth, the intern supervisor and manager, walk in just then but as they were waiting for someone else to follow in, most likely their new branch manager, there came no one.

" Okay every one get to work stop acting like paparazzi trying to cover a big gossip story, get back to work! Your not paid for what you say behind other people's backs."

" What do you think is going on?" Suzy asked looking lost.

" I'm not sure." Amand answered equally puzzled.

Mr. Clocksworth approached the two just then. " Ms Walsh there has been a postponing to the board presentation we were going to have today. Our manager sees that there are other matters that need his immediate attention for the time being."

" Hey be carefully there's two of us you know?" Suzy asked in a feigned heartbroken tone. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

To say Suzy had a crush on Mr Clocksworth would be an understatement. The man was fifteen years older than her, he wasn't old and ugly though he was good looking fit and mature in a very refined way. At least she didn't make a fool of herself or tell anyone else other than Amanda.

Mr. Clocksworth gave her an assessing glance before answering her, " If I recall well Suzy you have incomplete work that was due three days ago. Is that not it?" with this Suzy was lost for words and instead went over to her desk sipping her coffee to avoid his eyes.

" I thought I was only presenting it to you and five other investors?" Said Amanda when it just her and Mr. Clocksworth.

" Well our acting manager heard about it and would like to be a part of this year's intern assessment and selection."

"Oh I see." Amanda wasn't sure what to feel. She later came to the conclusion that she would have preferred to get the presentation over with.

" Well we can always look at the bright side of it I guess." Suzy was trying to be helpful, again. " He called me by my first name that's an advancement." Her eyes followed Mr. Clocksworth until he was well out of sight. With that they went about their usual hectic Monday work day.

'What a bummer, all that for nothing. To think I even forgot my extra slice of toast. Sigh now my stomach is growling.' thought Amanda.

Amanda planed to take the train which helped her save up a good amount as compared to the cab. Not that she didn't earn enough but she had grown up knowing what difference it made to save up any amount possible.

When Amanda looked at her watch it showed that the time was well past Eight. She must have worked longer than she thought and

by now the train had already left leaving the next one to get there in an hour and half.

' There is now harm in walking home I guess.'