14 - Meeting

14 - Meeting

Waiting around is one of the worst feelings a human can feel. Waiting for anything, a bus, a train and more annoyingly a friend that’s running late that never bothers to update you. The worst of these possibilities is wanting for a meeting where you don’t know where you are, you have no idea who anyone around you is and they don’t know you. You are just sat in an un comfy chair usually made from hard plastic giving no back support wondering if you are even in the right place at all.

A job interview. The most basic of awkward meetings a person will go through, you don’t want to be there, you would rather be in bed sleeping, or sipping on coffee, anywhere would be better than where you’re going.

Sliding into a new suit I had just bought that week especially for the interview. I wasn’t a suit sort of person, I was more of a ‘lets throw some jeans and t shirt onto my body, call it a day’ sort of person, but there’s always that expectation to dress as if you were going to funeral.

The tie is too tight around my neck, the top button feels as if hands are chocking me and everything just feels new and scratchy.

I ran to catch the train at an ungodly hour, knowing that I will never make this time again. Travelling to a city where I know it was going to be too crowded for me once I arrived. As I took my seat on the train filled with old businessmen, I scooted over to the window seat staring mindlessly at the station tracks outside thinking why the hell I was even going.

Everything was planned, I couldn’t forget to turn up. It was decided. As I slumped back in the chair and the train started to set off, I just stared at the scenery rethinking my decisions.

As expected, all around me noise hit me from all directions as I stepped onto the platform, just seeing people rushing along with their suitcases and brief cases gave me palpitations.

I knew the place I was going to wasn’t too far from the station, so standing in the middle of the floor I pulled my phone from my pocket and started following a map they had previous e mailed me. Even throughout the station I was being pushed through crowds of working people. I had become part of the school of fish.

I pushed myself outside taking a deep breath out in a sign of relief. Fresh air, where I could breathe. I stood for a few moments taking in the coldness then picked myself up and started following the directions.

Large, metal buildings filled with glass towering over me. I really wished I wasn’t in one of the ultra-modern buildings, but as I carried on walking staring back at the map from time to time noticing most buildings were the same, I became doubtful.

“Turn right.” I muttered to myself; my phone outstretched. I turned the corner without looking Infront of me, suddenly realising that I was now down an alleyway.

“This can’t be rig- “I started looking back at the map. To my surprise, it really did seem to be the right way.

I continued down the path which became darker and narrower. Right in front of me stood a very slim, Victorian building where the map ensured me this was the place.

I gingerly walked inside; no plastic chairs were visible just large maroon armchairs all spaced out evenly. Over at the far side was an old desk, like one’s seen in old hotels. I rang a bell that was sitting on the side. An old, vintage style golden bell.

I waited for a few moments. I craned my neck to see if anyone was behind the desk or in a room at the back but there was no sign of human life anywhere. I sat myself down on the luxurious armchairs, even if the building gave me unsettling vibes, it was a nice place to complement life.

I sat twiddling my thumb, moving my head sightly from right to left to see if I could see even a second person also here for the job interview but there was nothing. As peaceful as it was, I began to worry. I pulled my phone out seeing that I was right on time for the meeting. If I was in the wrong place, it would be too late to arrive now.

I could feel myself sweating. I was a nervous individual; I’d always had been from being a child. I hated being late, for anything.

I scrolled frantically down to the e mail they sent, skim reading until I reached the location. I was sure the place on the email matched the one I was sat in but I rose from the chair, trying to walk back out to see if the building was shown anywhere around the front.

I was most certain that when I first entered, there was no such sign, but I hoped something would just appear.

I reached for the golden door handle and pulled. Nothing. I pulled again, tighter. Nothing. How was I locked in? My panic seemed more genuine. I rushed over to the desk pressing the bell thousands of times in less than a few moments. I rushed around the desk searching under, seeing if someone, anyone was here with me. No luck.

I pulled the door that I had been staring at behind the desk, tugging in desperation like a game of tug of war. Everywhere was locked as if the entire building was somehow abandoned and I was stuck inside.

I didn’t have chance to realise what was going on. I large mound of gas like smoke fell from the ceiling, floating down and hitting my lungs as it landed. I started to cough. I could feel my eyes watering. The coughing grew louder and more violent as I fell to the carpet below hitting the desk on the way down as the world became foggy and unclear. The last thing I remember seeing vividly was the outline of two strangers in white hazmat suits scooping me from the ground.