Page 14 of Business or Pleasure

“Has she read it?” I asked. “Your boss’s daughter?”

“I’m not sure,” the woman said. “But she’ll love this.”

I nodded. “I think so too. There’s a reason it’s done so well after all these years.”

“What reasons do you think those are?” The way she looked at me made me feel like her question wasn’t just polite curiosity.

It was as if I was being tested. Not in a snotty, condescending sort of way. More like a challenge based on curiosity.

“People like seeing themselves in heroes. It’s why there’s been such a push recently for diversity. We’re tired of being expected to relate to white men as the only heroes.” I thought back to the reasons I loved the book. “And Meg’s not just a girl. She’s a non-popular girl with glasses and braces and a love of numbers. Everything that a girl wasn’t supposed to be, especially not in the sixties.”

“You put a lot of thought into that answer.”

I shrugged. “I like having actual reasons for my opinions.”

“Do you like statistics?”

“I’ve always liked numbers and figures,” I answered honestly. “And I’ve enjoyed the statistics classes I’ve taken.”

After studying me for a moment, she extended her hand. "My name is Tuesday Boswell."

I gave her my name and shook her hand. I didn't know why. I thought it was weird how she kept asking me questions. She wasn’t creepy. It was more like she was figuring something out.

“Have you ever heard of MIRI?”

“Vaguely. I know it’s a big ass company here in Seattle, but that’s about it.” Now I was baffled.

“Did you know that part of what they do is statistical analysis?”

“Interesting. I did not.” I meant it, but I had no idea why she was telling me any of this.

“There’s an opening for a position in that department. Are you free Friday morning?”

I blinked at the question before forcing my mouth to work. “Yeah.”

“Excellent.” She beamed at me. “Come to MIRI at ten o’clock Friday morning for your interview.”

“I don’t have a college degree,” I protested. “I’ve taken classes, but that’s all.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Trust me, MIRI looks more at what people can do rather than what their education is.”

“Do you work in hiring for the company or something?”

Her smile widened. “Or something.” She gestured toward the counter. “I think I have everything I need here.”

Before she left, she reminded me about MIRI at ten on Friday. The offer kept ringing in my head. I didn’t get it. If MIRI were looking to hire someone like me, they had to be pretty desperate. But it would be fun to see what happened.

Five

Harlee

I wrestled with my decision all night but finally admitted that it was time for a change. I wasn’t working today, but my boss Bert was, and I needed to talk to him.

I waved to Wells as I walked by but didn’t stop to talk. He was the only one who could convince me to stay. The closest thing I had to an actual friend at work, and while I'd like to keep in touch with him, that wasn’t a big enough reason to stay.

Bert’s door was half-open, but I knocked on it anyway.

“Come in.” Bert smiled when he saw it was me. “Ah, Harlee, I was just getting ready to call you.”

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