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17
“Yes, I know that I am early. I was just wondering how long it will be before I'm able to speak to Mr. Smith.” It was the first person she had spoken to in at least four days. The secretary looked up again, the conversation developing into almost an argument still going five minutes after Melanie initially arrived at the office.
“Can you please just wait ten minutes ma'am, and Mr. Smith will then be out to see you.” Melanie sighed, suddenly enraged for no apparent reason. She hated waiting, but she also hated being late, it was an obsessive-compulsive trap that she always managed to get herself into. She'd come early, and then end up hating herself for having to wait far too long for the actual appointment, forever feeling awkward and never truly at ease.
She sat down angrily in a waiting chair, uncomfortable and uncertain with what to do. As she sat, she thought deeply about everything she had ever been through. Her life hadn't been all that special, but it was an opportunity, and she realised this. Restless, she fidgeted.
"Excuse me miss, but Mr. Smith will see you now. Miss?"
The elevator doors closed, consuming the sole passenger, a thin, young girl with now bedraggled hair and a crazed look in her eyes. No one would know who she was. She was unknown, insignificant.
The arrow above the elevator doors pointed upwards illuminated, as Melanie's cigarette smoke began to fill the elevator, ignoring the no smoking sign.
"Ding."
The elevator had reached its destination.