The Wind of Destiny

Chapter One: ''The New Assistant''

She had frozen again, but this time she was standing in front of the CNE building not able to move. She had just realized that all this time, the divorce was the reason why she had not been able to trust a man. No! She couldn’t be late for work again. Today was going to be a new start, a fresh beginning. Josephine pushed open the doors and walked in through the lobby. The air was crisper that morning and almost everybody seemed tense. As she arrived on the 3^rd floor, she saw that no one was at their desk. Josephine could hear the sound of her own heart, which was never a good sign at 9 o’clock in the morning. Suddenly, without warning, drops of sweat began pouring down her neck and her breathing drew shorter. This was not the time to have another one of these ridiculous anxiety attacks. She decided to run for it. Perhaps if she simply crawled down between the conference room seats, she would go unnoticed. Going unnoticed was not a talent Josephine possessed. She, on the other hand had a natural for embarrassing public entrances.

“Oh! Everyone look. It’s little miss sunshine”, said a woman’s voice. “We are so happy that you could grace us with your presence.”

“Ah...I... I’m so sorry, I really am”, mumbled Josephine. “I’ll just find my seat and you won’t even hear me. I’ll be silent.” Josephine sat down and regretted instantly her words. The others were silently talking to each other and she felt ashamed of her rather unprofessional habit for tardiness.

Virginia Cook was the President of CNE and a career-driven woman who always got what she wanted. The word going around was that she used to write for a small-time show broadcast on the CNE network and had worked her way up to become one of the most respected and rich leading women in the entertainment media business in Canada.

Josephine was watching Virginia present the material for the day. Every two weeks, she gathered all employees on payroll and from all the departments to inform them about company developments. This time, Virginia announced the staff that the company was looking to acquire a promising new American television sitcom on the schedule. This show, The Wind of Destiny was the new subject of negotiations to bring together American and Canadian actors to the screen. When the presentation was over, every member of the conference audience was clapping enthusiastically, but their facial expressions showed a different opinion. What was it about this news that had everyone act positively and turn around disappointed? As Josephine began glancing around her for insights, the meeting was over. Virginia dismissed the audience, at the exception of herself, two other secretaries and a few directors. Suddenly, this mysterious staff confusion scenario took a back seat and she was left with a sour taste in her mouth. She felt sick at the idea of not making the cut for the new assistant job she had worked for. Three years was a long time to work without a promotion and the next 5 minutes were very determining for her.

“After watching you all over the past year”, said Virginia, “I have decided, along with some of the directors present, to attribute this new assistant position to someone I would like to see arrive on time at least once this season. Josephine, please make me proud I chose you. I have to admit your dedication and hard work is nothing like your ability to show up on time. Good luck to you! Please leave my conference room and get back to work. Out.”