Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Most people don’t believe in fate, due to the fact that they relate to all bad things as fate playing a joke on them. But for Amy, she believed that her life will be better, that is when her time has come. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she typed away a document for her boss who is a laywer. The overbearing, chauvinistic of a man is what she and the other girls there call him. But they were better off than she was, they didn’t have to work for him. Amy’s mind began to wander as she daydreamed of a better life but reality soon took over at the annoyingly loud booming voice of her boss. “Amy!!” he cried from his office door.
She rolled her eyes before turning to him with an exaggerated grin “Yes, sir?”
“Get in here right now!” he bursted angrily.
The other girls gave her a sympathetic look but she was use to it. Sometimes she wondered how long she would be able to handle the man. “Did you need something, Mr. Lu?” she asked calmly and professionally once they were alone in his corner view office.
“What is this?” he threw her a blue file. “I mean, I told you to correct it yesterday and it still has mistakes.” He crossed his arms and glared at her with special annoyance “What do we pay you for? Making mistakes? Quite frankly, we could find plenty of those people around.” His tone was threatening and not to mention annoying.
Amy bit her tongue as she apologize “Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again. I will correct it now.” She picked it up from the corner of his desk where he threw it at her.
She turned to leave only to be hollered to again “Did I say I was done?” he barked. Amy turned but didn’t say anything, he quickly glanced at his watch “It’s almost noon. Get me some food from the café downstairs. Here…” he threw a hundred dollar bill her way “Bring me back the change. The last time I gave you a hundred, you came back with only 20 bucks. I didn’t deduct that 10 dollars you kept from your paycheck that time.”
“But, the sandwich you wanted was…” she didn’t even bother explaining as he waved her out of his office. She clenched her teeth and told herself to keep going. She returned after 30 minutes of waiting in the long line where everyone was ordering food to go. She dropped off his food and gave him the change.
Mr. Lu put his hand up indicating for her not to leave yet. He counted his change and eventually waved her away. In her mind, she was saying every nasty word she could think of. One of her co-workers shook her head “Amy, I don’t know how you can take that jerk. He doesn’t know how lucky he is that you’ve stayed for so long. All the other assistants left him within a month.” Julia, another secretary sighed “Why don’t you just stand up to him?”
Amy shook her head sadly as she returned to her tiny cubicle “I wish, then who would pay my bills and how about my apartment? My parents would have a heart attack if they knew I couldn’t keep a job.”
By the end of the day Julia’s word began to sink into Amy’s head as she daydreamed about finding a better job. Any where is better than this place. She promised herself the next time she took a day off, she would go looking for another job. Her dreams faded quickly from another beckoning “Amy!”
Julia rolled her eyes after she jumped from being startled at the man’s rude call. That man sure had a way of intimidating people. Amy got up and threw a glance at her friend before walking into his office. “Yes?” a slight tone of annoyance was easily detected. She’s had just about enough of his lip. Whatever he wanted would surely blow her over the top.
“Don’t give me that attitude.” He didn’t bother scolding as he pulled out a dry cleaning tab “You’re going home in 10 minutes right?” Amy nodded blankly, clearly wanting to get out of the place “Here, drop by the cleaners and pick up my two suits. The guy said it was ready.”
Amy sighed as she replied “Okay….” She was tired but didn’t want to stand up to him.
“Oh and can you run down and pick me up a sandwich? That lunch was not filling enough.” The old man demanded.
Amy closed her eyes as the last of her nerve was hit “Well, maybe if you chewed your food instead of inhaling it, it would sit in your stomach longer.” She snapped. Suddenly she caught herself, she didn’t realized what she just said until his eyes bulged out. “I…” she began to explain but was quickly cut off.
“What the hell did you just say?” he asked as he shook his head, unable to believe what he just heard.
“What, do you need a hearing aid now?” she snapped again. Her eyes moved away slowly and then a smile crept on her face as she realized how good it felt to talk back to him after holding it in for three years. The man raised his eyebrows as his faced turned a beet red. “Yeah, you heard me, you jerk of a boss! All you do is yell and complain. God, I feel sorry for your wife! Oh wait…” her head tilted, her face sarcastically sad “you don’t have one?”
“I could fire you right now.” He grunted, daring her to continue.
She snickered “Oh please, would you do me the honors?” she shook her head as she let the dry cleaner receipt drop to the ground “Whoops…aww….too bad. Now you have to bend over and pick it up yourself. God forbid you could dirty your precious fingers. You know what, I’m going to do something I should have done years ago.” She marched out of the office leaving the awestruck man in his seat unable to speak up. She returned with a resignation letter that she had typed up months ago, when she was ready to leave. “Here! Have fun reading. You need me to find someone to read it for you?” she asked with a smirk on her face.
“You’ll never find a better job out there!” the man growled.
Amy rolled her eyes at him “Oh please, anywhere is better than working for you. I’d rather pick up trash at the beach for 100 dollars a day!!” she cried and then stormed out. She reached her desk and only took a frame of her and her parents. She was no longer the young and innocent girl that was smiling in that picture. She was independent. She grabbed her purse and jacket while marching away with pride. Julia clapped her hands at her friend, realizing what Amy had just done. Amy nodded “We’ll keep in touch.” She smiled brightly before entering the elevator. She waved to everyone who was giving her a standing ovation. The metal doors closed and she sank back into the wall, her faced turned to worry as she knew now that she had to find a job.
She stepped out of the building feeling half relieved and half regret. What would happen to her now? Where would she live? How will she find a job so soon? She sighed as she continued walking down the crowded streets “Stupid!” she scolded herself for not having patience. ‘At least find a job before you quit!’ she told herself.
Amy began to break down in a cold sweat as she dreaded facing her parents when she would eventually run out of money and then crawl back to them for shelter. She would rather live in the streets than to come home to their disappointed faces. ‘No, I can’t…’ she pushed herself.
It wasn’t until she stopped at an unfamiliar part of the city when she didn’t recognized her surroundings. She had walked that long? She spun herself in circles and noticed the little crowd surrounding a bulletin board. She walked closer and saw a huge building behind that read ‘TVB’ with it’s logo in red, blue and green. Her eyes widened, she didn’t realize the station was so close to her old work. Why didn’t she ever visit there?
Surely, she wasn’t a star crazed maniac, but she always wondered what they looked like in real person. She walked closer to the board and saw someone posting up an advertisement. She pushed through the group of girls and read on. Some of them squealed with each other as they began dialing hysterically on their cell phone. She read it calmly but the minute she realized it was an opening for a personal assistant of Philip Cheung, the famous singer/actor that was well known to her as well as the public, her heart began to race. She quickly memorized the number where it showed to call for an interview.
Stepping away from the giggles from the girls beside her as she dialed on her cell phone the number. Amy closed her other ear as she pushed the tiny device by her ear “Hello?” she spoke into it.
The call was answered by an overly annoyed or overly tired woman’s voice “Hello?” she answered shortly.
“Hi, I was calling for the position-“ Amy was quickly cut off.
“Yeah, I know.” She snapped “Go up to the gate at the TVB station and tell the guard you are here for a screening, the code is 5467 and he’ll let you through. Go into the studio and follow the signs that lead you to Studio 5M. Then pick a number and have a seat until someone assists you. If you have any questions, you can ask those people in the red vests.” The phone went dead.
Amy pulled the cell phone from her ear as she raised an eyebrow “Looks like you’ve done this before.” She snickered and walked up to the gate where the line was forming. Amy stood behind a girl dressed in a black knee length skirt and a casual sky blue top. Her hair was twisted upward making her look very professional and classy at the same time. Amy looked at her own frumpiness as she tightened the black purse around her shoulders and pulled out a rubber band that was always in her purse. She tied her long mane back.
She looked around and noticed no one was paying attention to her. She also pulled out her pair of glasses in which she didn’t really need. They were just there for a more professional touch. It didn’t have prescription in them. She kept them after working at an Optometrist’s office where she answered the phones. Her boss had said they looked more professional when she wore them. She felt it was the perfect time to use them. Smoothing out her pinstripe pants and collar white shirt, she cursed herself for wearing such a bland outfit that day.
Soon it was her turn at the gate and before she even opened her mouth, the guard was looking tired as he waved her through. She followed the line through the studio doors and walked down the long full hallway. Amy’s head turned and followed the group of girls who looked disappointed as they walked away in tears. She saw another girl sobbing with her head glued to the floor. Amy gulped as she began to regret her choice. Maybe the interview was so horrible that the girls cried?
She had no time to think as a person at the door of Studio 5M shoved a ticket with the number 206 on there. “Have a seat.” He said repetitively.
Amy looked down at her number and then at the girls piling in as they took their random seats. She was number 206, which means 205 of the girls that have gone before her probably won’t get the job. She sat quietly and mentally prepared herself for the interview. She knew what answers they might be looking for and wondered if Philip would be doing the interview himself? She felt oddly at ease with no nerves at all, even after girls were escorted out until the room began to tone down a bit.
She waited her turn when the lady (Joyce Tang –guest role) standing in the doorway with a clipboard announced “Number 206!” she was a petite woman with a very strong voice. Amy stood up and gave the lady a bright smile as she handed her the number “Save your smile for the interviewers, honey. I’m no one special.”
Amy widened her eyes with defense “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to kiss up.” she said sincerely.
The woman laughed loudly as she led her down the corridor “You’re funny.” She smiled “What’s your name?”
“Amy.” She replied brightly after realizing the lady wasn’t as mean as she thought.
“Nice to meet you Amy. Good luck to you.” She gave her a wink and led her through the next studio which was numbered 5N. She walked into the empty large hall with a long wooden table spread across the cemented floor. Behind were three seats with three men, they looked cruel as can be as they drilled the girl sitting in the hot seat.
Amy noticed the girl was twiddling her thumbs and looking down at the floor. One of the judges yawned as he waved the girl away. “I don’t think you’re fit for the part.”
The girl instantly cried as she got up and thanked them through sobs and walked outside. Amy’s heart began to beat fast as the judges noticed her. They waved her over as she took a seat. She felt like a prisoner being asked about how she was put in jail. She instantly recognized the name tags on one of the guys, he was the popular music producer of Philip Cheung’s last hit cd. “You’re John Wong!” Amy couldn’t help but cry out with shock. She wondered why he was doing the dirty job for Philip.
The guy (Nick Cheung- guest role) smiled at the young girl standing before him. He stood up and shook her hand “Well, it’s glad to finally feel like a celebrity. How did you know?”
Amy nodded to the other two judges, careful not to dismiss them because she recognized the producer. “Actually, I don’t know what you look like, but I do know your name.” she pointed to the little tag on his left chest.
John looked down as he smiled “Good eye.” He pointed a pen at her. “Okay, Miss..”
“Chan. Amy Chan.” She replied quickly.
He nodded with a smile “I like her.” He said to the other two interviewers with a smile.
“Why? Just because she recognized you and all the other 200 girls didn’t? Come on, Johnny don’t be so shallow. We’re here to help Philip remember?” the guy with the name tag that read Sam Chiu said with sarcasm. But there was definite humor behind his voice.
John laughed as he nodded “Okay, we have to be fair. So, Amy. What do you do?”
“I was a personal assistant to a lawyer for 3 years.” She said with a nod.
“I see. So why did you quit? Assuming that you are unemployed.”
Whatever she prepared was suddenly out the window. She didn’t expect them to get that personal. She quickly searched her mind as the judges began to look restless “Well, I thought that job was too repetitive and there was no room for advancement. I need some changes because I’m the type of person that likes to keep busy.”
John nodded with a laugh “God knows we all like change.” He muttered.
The third judge suddenly cleared his throat “Did you get along with your boss, Miss Chan?”
Amy debated on telling the truth or lying. In the end, she decided to keep half and spill half “Well, I didn’t hate him.” John burst into giggles at her answer “But honestly, I got along with him. It was very platonic, there was no emotional attachment when I left. Frankly, we all know bosses can be jerks. But then again, anyone can be a jerk. You just have to grow use to dealing with them. After a while, they become tolerable to you instead of annoying.” Her answer won nods all around.
John only tilted his head and smiled “I like her a lot.” He said honesty making Amy smile shyly.
Sam Chiu quickly pulled his partner back to reality with a loud “Ahem!” he turned to Amy with a short and curt smile “That’s great, Miss Chan. My next question is, how do you think you will handle the large amount of fans that will suddenly run up to Philip when he is in public?”
Amy smiled “I’m a very petite girl, but don’t underestimate my strength, I can beat up anyone. Even you.” She said with a teasing tone.
“I believe it.” John nodded.
“Although I can’t guarantee his safety from the mobbing fans, but I can guarantee that I will try my best to help him away to a safer place.” She spoke in her most professional voice.
“How will you handle the reporters that will harass Philip when he is out eating?” the third judge asked.
She tilted her head thoughtfully “I would ask nicely for them to leave and give Mr. Cheung time to eat before asking any questions. If they don’t leave, then I’ll call the manager of the restaurant and have the problem taken care of.”
John leaned back in his chair and clapped his hands proudly at his first pick “Congratulations, you’ve just gave the correct answer.” He leaned into the table playfully “Did you know some of the answers we got for that question was?” Amy shook her head “This girl said invite the reporter to sit down so they would not cause a commotion. I mean how stupid is that? You never want to converse with a reporter on a personal level.”
“Plus that would make the reporter feel like he/she was special and will continue to bother Mr. Cheung each time they see him. And it makes it look like he has a secret that’s why he didn’t want to cause a scene.” Amy said using her analyzing skills.
“Very good!” John nodded. He turned to the other two “Shall we?”
Sam nodded, finally smiling “You can move on to the next room where Philip will interview you personally. Whatever you do, don’t faint. We don’t want to call another ambulance.”
Amy laughed but when the three interviewers did not laugh, she knew it was serious. She dropped her jaw in shock “You mean they do faint??” she quickly shut her mouth before hiding her star struck face. “Sorry…” she apologized softly.
John shook his head “No, don’t be. Everyone gets a little star struck, even me. Go on.” He waved her through “Good luck to you. Don’t forget to thank me when you get the job!” he called after her.
Amy turned to him with a smile, but it quickly faded when she turned down another corridor. Down the hall were two men standing guard at the door. One guy put out his hand to see the number in her hand. “Go inside.” He said in a deep tone.