fifty-shades-of-grey

Indulge? I blink at him. What an odd choice of word. I launch into details of mylibrarianship at the campus central library, and my one experience of interviewing an obscenelyrich despot for the student magazine. I gloss over the part that I didn’t actuallywrite the article. I mention the two literary societies that I belonged to and conclude withworking at Clayton’s and all the useless knowledge I now possess about hardware and DIY.They both laugh, which is the response I’d hoped for. Slowly, I relax and begin to enjoymyself.Jack Hyde asks sharp, intelligent questions, but I’m not thrown – I keep up, and whenwe discuss my reading preferences and my favorite books, I think I hold my own. Jack, onthe other hand, appears to only favor American literature written after 1950. Nothing else.No classics - not even Henry James or Upton Sinclair or F Scott Fitzgerald. Elizabeth saysnothing, just nods occasionally and takes notes. Jack, though argumentative, is charmingin his way, and my initial wariness dissipates the longer we talk.“And where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” he asks.With Christian Grey, the thought comes involuntarily into my head. My errant mindmakes me frown.“Copy editing perhaps? Maybe a literary agent, I’m not sure. I am open to opportunities.”He grins.“Very good, Ana. I don’t have any further questions. Do you?” he directs his questionat me.“When would you like someone to start?” I ask.“As soon as possible,” Elizabeth pipes up. “When could you start?”“I’m available from next week.”“That’s good to know,” Jack says.“If that’s all anyone has to say,” Elizabeth glances at the two of us, “I think that concludesthe interview.” She smiles kindly.“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Ana,” Jack says softly as he takes my hand. Hesqueezes it gently, so that I blink up at him as I say goodbye.I feel unsettled as I make my way to my car, though I’m not sure why. I think the interviewwent well, but it’s so hard to say. Interviews seem such artificial situations, everyoneon their best behavior trying desperately to hide behind a professional façade. Did my facefit? I shall have to wait and see.I climb into my Audi A3 and head back to the apartment, though I take me time. I’m onthe red-eye with a stopover in Atlanta, but my flight doesn’t leave until 10:25 this evening,so I have plenty of time.Kate is unpacking boxes in the kitchen when I return.“How did they go?” she asks, excited. Only Kate can look gorgeous in an oversizedshirt, tattered jeans, and a dark blue bandana.“Good, thanks, Kate. Not sure this outfit was cool enough for the second interview.”“Oh?”“Boho chic might have done it.”Kate raises an eyebrow.