She tells me to greet the VIP.
"Better get cleaned up, first," she says looking at me from head to toe. "Ask Maria for a clean shirt. And a comb." She hesitates. Then, "On second thoughts, ask Maria to greet the VIP. You go hide in the bathroom."
I look down at my shoes. Standing there, shame dripping from my forehead.
"Stop doing... that!" she says, waving her hand at me. "Go ask Maria!"
I leave and go find Maria. She is where she always is. At her desk, looking busy. I wonder how she learned to type that fast. Perhaps she is just hitting the keys, randomly, I think.
Perhaps she isn't really working.
"What do you want?" Maria asks looking up from her work.
"The boss wants you to go and greet the VIP," I say. "And she told me to go hide in the bathroom."
Maria sighs and stands up. She gives me her coffee.
"Go and take a break," she says. "I'll deal with them."
...