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Giddy from jet lag, I woke early the next morning and ventured into the shopping complex near Janet’s apartment. Local workers were already bustling: city cleaners swept the streets, shopkeepers prepped their stores, and maids polished windows.
Unfortunately, by the time I arrived at the office, my buzz had worn off and sleepiness overtook me. As I sat in Janet’s HR office in the back corner of the firm in the Changing district, I felt like I had been hit over the head with a pile of legal hornbooks. She talked, but I couldn’t hear her because my thoughts were drowning in an ocean of chaos.
“Lana, here’s a list of events,” Janet instructed.
“Events?” I asked.
Janet looked impatient. “Yes, these are professional networking events you need to attend after work.”
“Um, okay,” I said. I felt overwhelmed. If Janet had asked me to go to an event, earlier this morning, say at 3 a.m. when I first woke, I would have been overjoyed. But now at 9:45 a.m., I just wanted to crash. There had been way too much sugar in the coffee I purchased from a local vendor. I felt nauseous.
“Alright, Lana, let me introduce you to everyone in your department.” Janet stood up and officially marched me through the office. As we took the stairs to a different floor, she continued, “You’ll be working in the commercial litigation department with local attorneys.”
“Cool, I love litigation,” I expressed with girlish enthusiasm.
Janet turned and gave me a strange look. I responded with a nervous smile.