Thomas hopped up and met Charlotte halfway.
“They got a new one already,” Charlotte said without preamble. “She’s coming up to introduce herself at the shift change.”
Just what I need: another unknown.
“What’s she like?” he asked.
She tossed her hands up in the air. “How should I know? I got the memo from Mr. Destiny, she walked in the door, and here we are.”
Thomas rubbed his forehead, speaking to himself almost as much as to her. “We’re getting so close and they know it. That’s why they didn’t wait.”
“Probably. Anyway, I gotta get back.” She struck him on the arm playfully. “Don’t worry.” She turned to walk up the aisle.
Thomas rolled his eyes. He raised his voice so she could hear him over the show even as she walked away. “Right, I won’t worry at all,” he said. “Whatever was I thinking?”
The visitors near him stared. He bowed at them with a theatrical flourish before he returned to his seat. It’s all just part of the show.
Chapter 2
Vanessa
Charlotte leaned into Vanessa’s office doorway, flapping a piece of paper in rhythmic waves through the air. “Looks like you got another memo.”
Vanessa stood up from her desk, where she had been making notes for her speech, and stepped into the common area of the office. I’ll take any excuse to get out of that windowless box. “Thanks, Charlotte.” She took the paper and read it as Charlotte returned to her desk. “Wait—do you know anything about this?”
Vanessa read the memo aloud.
Vanessa Jones
Legacy Management
Destiny Park
Dear Ms. Jones,
In order to provide additional support to you during this time of transition, one of our management interns has been reassigned to your area. He is scheduled to join you in your office shortly to become acquainted with you before the meeting.
Regards,
Mr. Destiny
Before Charlotte could speak, someone knocked on the door. Vanessa and Charlotte looked at each other, looked at the door, and simultaneously called, “Come in!”
The office door opened to reveal a man about Charlotte’s age who proceeded to ignore Charlotte and address Vanessa. “You must be the new Legacy manager. I’m Dirk.” He nodded his head sharply, but his gelled blond hair didn’t budge.
“I’m Vanessa.” She shook hands with him, then introduced Charlotte. “This is the Legacy office secretary, Charlotte.”
Charlotte offered Dirk a half-smile that appeared to cost her a great deal of effort.
He barely glanced at Charlotte before continuing to speak to Vanessa.
“I was the management intern over in Fantasy, but Mr. Destiny thought you could use an extra hand around here. You introducing yourself to the team today?” He put his hands in his khaki pants pockets and looked remarkably sure of himself, for an intern.
“In about an hour. Have you worked here long, Dirk?”
“Oh, yes. Quite a few years now. I waited a long time for an intern position to open up.” Dirk’s eyes were the same blue color as his long-sleeved dress shirt, and his gaze met hers with calculating coolness.
And now you’re waiting for a management position to open up. Swell.
“That’s wonderful,” she said. “I’m so glad to have you join us.”
Charlotte made a strangled sound that turned into a cough.
Vanessa glanced at Charlotte and continued. “However, I really must leave you to your own devices while I finish getting ready for the meeting. Charlotte, can you help me with something?” She went in her office.
Charlotte followed her and closed the door.
Both women remained standing, facing each other across the desk.
“What was that all about?” Vanessa asked.
“What was what about?” Charlotte looked far more amused than intimidated.
For heaven’s sake, I don’t have time for this. Already, she’d endured a job interview, rescued a turtle, gone down a rabbit hole into a strange underground world where she’d received not one but two odd messages from her new boss, and been saddled with an intern waiting in the wings for an open management position.
“Charlotte, I may be new here, but I wasn’t born yesterday. Obviously, you know this guy. Obviously, you’re less than thrilled he’s here. You nearly laughed in his face when I said I was glad to have him. What’s the deal?”
“You really want to know?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes, please. Have a seat and tell me all about it.” She gestured with an open hand, just like she’d seen Charlotte gesture earlier.
Thus encouraged, Charlotte practically skipped into a chair, then scooted it closer to Vanessa’s desk with the air of someone bursting to share a secret.
Vanessa exhaled and sat down. Thank goodness.
“His name is Dirk. Also known as Dirk the Jerk,” said Charlotte.
Vanessa raised her eyebrows. “Dirk the Jerk? Are you serious?”
Charlotte was just getting warmed up. “He’s worked everywhere at Destiny. Upper management loves him because he’ll do anything if he thinks it will benefit him.” She made a face of distaste. “But he’s never gotten a manager job because they don’t really view him as management material. He’s bounced from Fantasy to Galaxy to Discovery to here. I’m sure he thinks he’s on his way up, but that’s just because he’s an arrogant … ” She trailed off with a smile.
“Yes, I see what you mean.” Vanessa tried to hide her own smile and failed spectacularly. “Bless their managerial hearts. I can see why they like him so much.”
The American Dream theater filled up as crew members came off their shifts on the Legacy attractions Gold Rush and Ghost Factory. Gold miners in wide-brimmed hats and scarlet neckerchiefs mixed with factory workers in Victorian garb. A handful of men and women in colonial costume closed down the theater for the day, then took their seats.
Vanessa noticed one man who, unlike the teens and twenty-somethings, was approximately her age. He sprawled into his seat and stretched out like a louche aristocrat. He ran long fingers through waves of black hair. It was almost distracting. She shifted her gaze away after holding it there for one beat too long.
Vanessa waited for everyone to settle, then walked to the center of the space in front of the stage.
“Good afternoon.” Vanessa took a slow breath in and out before continuing. “Thank you for coming today. My name is Vanessa Jones, and I am the new manager for the Legacy area. You already know Charlotte, our area secretary.” She gestured to Charlotte, who gave a little wave.