The Silicon Valley Shoebox
“It smells, Annie Bananie,” Stanley whined as they troddled down the hallway, carrying paint and cleaning supplies.
It did. It smelled like well used running shoes, a musty, clinging scent. “We didn’t have much choice.” The place made her skin crawl but after looking at hundreds of places, it was the best she could do. They needed a summer sublet in a safe neighborhood in their very meager price range. “The apartment needs some work,” she lied. It truly needed a demolition team.
She swung the door open and held back a grimace at the flurry of movement. Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting. If she didn’t want this job so much…
“Was that?” Nancy’s mouth hung open.
“Why I brought the roach bait.” Anne lifted her bucket up. “And why I asked for access to the apartment a week early.” They would clean up the place before living in it, flopping in the basement of a friend’s parents until it was ready.
“I thought I knew you, girlie.” Stanley stood on the threshold, a dubious look on his face.
He did. This would not have been her first choice of accommodations. The dirt was thick, the wall needed painting, and wait until he saw the bathroom. “I really want this job, Stanley.”
Nancy stood beside her, hands on her hips, determined. “And I really want to spend the summer with Ted.”
A dramatic sigh. “Then roll up your sleeves, girls, ’cause I really don’t want to live in a sty.”
Read About the clean up August 13th
Read more about Anne, Nancy, and Stanley in Breach Of Trust, now available in print and eBook!!
Suit Shopping
Anne casually checked the price tag inside the blazer, trying to give the impression to the slicked back salesgirl she wasn’t as price sensitive as she really was. Though the no name sundress and hot pink jellies would give that away.
Everything at Lord & Taylor’s was discounted, one of their famous sales, yet “I can only afford two suits.” She couldn’t afford that, counting on her first paycheck to pay off the credit card bill. It was an investment, she told herself. She needed to dress properly and student gear wouldn’t do that.
“Ohhh… look at this teal, Annie Bananie.” Stanley held up a cute little suit with exquisite detailing.
Anne sighed. She wished. “A black and a navy blue.” The staples.
“Boring, girlie.” He sniffed.
“Forgettable. I’ll be wearing the same suits every week.” She’d have to hand wash them each weekend. “I can spice them up with different colored tops.” She had some plain t-shirts she could wear under them.
“These come with pants also.” Nancy held up a set. “For not much more.”
Women wearing pant suits were frowned on at the banks. Would it be the same at the venture capital firm? “If it’s the same price…”
Stanley looked it over with his oh-so-critical eye. “The buttons are cheap,” the brassy gold so popular now, “but I can swap them with a set I picked up at a clearance sale. Vintage.” He flipped the blazer open. “It is good quality, despite the price.” He searched through the racks for the correct size. “Let’s see it on, Annie-Whammie.”
Anne took the suit, resigned. She disliked trying clothes on but it couldn’t be helped.
Read About the apartment in Silicon Valley August 6th
Warning: May Contain Cockroaches.
Read more about Anne, Nancy, and Stanley in Breach Of Trust, now available!!
