THE PRELUDE.

Narration of Tina Kennard.

Don't ya just hate job interviews? You get all steamed up preparing from questions that they don't ask you regardless of how smart your answer will be. Then they floor you with a question that you would have never thought of in a month of Sundays.

I wake up at 6am - the interview is at noon - I need to leave the house by 10:45am. I try to eat some breakfast - just whole-meal toast and juice - I fail.

I do manage two cups of black coffee - God I love coffee - I am such an addict. I know its supposed to be bad for me but I don't smoke, take drugs or eat junk food. My training regime is sacred to me - so I allow myself my coffee addiction.

Knowing that I might not get the time later I go for a run - not my usual hour round the park but a muscle relaxing 30 minutes. It soothes me and helps get my mind which is in a state of turmoil.

Am I the right person for the job ? How did my first interview go ?

Don't be stupid Kennard - it must have gone well or they would not have called me in for this final grilling.

Who are my rivals ? Is this job already a done deal for someone who already works there ?

I think back to the first interview - there were some pretty sharp operators in the batch that were with me,. But I am still in the frame and that's an achievement.

At 9am I return to the vexed question of what to wear. I have bought a charcoal grey suit but I feel uncomfortable in it. In desperation I phone my sister Lucy in North Carolina who will be getting ready to start her day at Art College.

" I woke up at 5am because I was so nervous for you - I want you to get this job Tina "

" Thanks Luc - I want it too - I know that if I get the chance I will be so good at it. I know I can do this sis "

"I know that you can do it - you really deserve something good to happen to you - have you heard from her ? "

Even a hint of HER is painful - I feel the hurt rise from my stomach and place my heart in an icy grip. I feel tears start to form - I cannot do this - not today - not today of all days.

But even as I think this I know that I am going to talk about her.

"She won't answer my calls - we were together for a year and she won't answer my calls - I miss her "

" I know you do Tina - but you really deserve someone better than bloody Helena  - she was no good for you. I love you - you are my sister and I idolize you and I know that you deserve the best and she wasn't the best. Tina  -- you need someone as smart as you - as committed as you - as passionate as you - she wasn't the one "

"She felt like she was you know "

" I know  - and we all tried to like her but you can and will do better - you deserve someone as full of  love as you - you are the most loving person I know and you need a woman with as much love as you. You would never settle for second best in your job so why should you settle for second best when it comes to your love life "

I rub my eyes " You are right Luc - but the reason I called was advice on what to wear for today "

"You mean you don't know ? you haven't tried all your outfits on twice."

"No - I've got a new suit but I'm not ease with it - what do you think ? I don't want to look too weird but I don't want to fade into the background "

I hear Lucy's sweet laugh " Tina Kennard - big sister of mine - you are incapable of fading into any background. You are a very beautiful, very sexy and very self assured woman. You would stand out in a room of fashion models "

" You are such a boost for my ego sis - but you might be biased - come on - what should I wear ?  "

"Well without a doubt those black boots you brought from England - you look gorgeous in them and you feel great in them - and maybe that yellow shirt. Tina - I know this job is a lot about what you look like but you have got the looks and God knows you've got the brains and the personal skills to be stunningly good at it "

" You haven't help me decide sis - but you have made me feel better - but I have to go Lucy "

"I know - when will you know about the job ?"

" Hard to say - maybe not for another couple of days - if I find out I will ring you and mum "

" Okay - I need to go - I don't have an exciting day like you but I have to go or I'll miss a lecture "

"Thanks Lucy "

I hang up and turn my attention back to the interview and what I'm going to be wearing. In the end I follow the advice of my grunge wearing sister and go for a black trouser suit but with a vivid red shirt and my London bought lucky boots. I bought these five years ago when I graduated with my masters degree from Oxford University.

Finally, I am satisfied with my appearance and set off for the interview in my blue Saab - this is my baby - my pride and joy. Just driving it gives me confidence - it makes me believe I can land this job.

God I get goose-bumps just thinking about how I would feel if I landed this. I want this more than I want anything else - -this is my job of a lifetime.

The interview is going well- I've been in for almost an hour and I feel that I have really impressed the two women opposite me. Finally I am thanked for my attendance and I am asked to wait outside for a few minutes.

That GOT to be a good sign - no "we'll be in touch Ms Kennard" - but " wait while we talk about you ". I sit outside the room and look at the two people who are waiting for their interview.

The door opens and they both come out - the short haired, slightly butch looking brunette indicates for me to come back inside the room while the blonde moves across to speak to the other two.

She closes the door behind me and smiles at me.

"Well Ms Kennard - we are delighted to offer you the job. You are the best candidate we've seen and your tape was the best and your first interview was the best as well. We don't need to see anyone else. Do you need time to think about our offer ? "

" No Ms McCutcheon - of course I want the job "

We shake hands "Call me Shane "

At this moment the blonde returns to the room.

"Are you on board Tina? "

" Yes I am Ms Pieszecki "

" Call me Alice please "

The phone rings and Shane picks it up.

"Yes - yes --- we have --- is she free ? excellent - we will come right along "

Shane puts the phone down " Okay Tina - the boss wants to meet you. Are you ready for this ?"

In truth I am not - but I nod. I may as well get it out of the way now or I will build it up and just go into a funk. Shane escorts me through several offices until we reach our destination.

Shane knocks and enters. Despite how I imagine I am going to feel - how I have daydreamed I would feel. I am actually calm inside   - I follow her inside and we wait until the brunette looks up from her desk - she beams at us.

" We have our woman Shane ? "

" We do - as you predicted there was only one candidate "

" I am rarely wrong - tell Al she owes me $10 - come on Shane - do the formal introductions "

"This is Tina Kennard your new Press Secretary - Tina this is Bette Porter - the President of the United States of America "

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