Chapter 2
Clarke’s apartment on the same day:
If you looked through the window of a small 2-room apartment in the centre of Chicago, you’d see a blonde woman running through the rooms while insanely loud music is playing. That’s what Clarke Griffin’s life looks like. She is trying to find all of her folders before she can leave the house for class. “Why does this keep happening to me?!” she yells over the music and after another 10 minutes she finally found everything and is good to go. Finally on the train she has time to check her emails: Advertise stuff, advertise stuff, and advertise stuff. Clarke sighs out loud, still no new jobs. The month is almost over and she is already short on the rent again, but wait, there actually is an email from the website she signed up for a while ago. The link connects her directly with her profile and she opens her mail box to read the message:
Dear Ms. Griffin,
I am in need of somebody who will accompany me at a very important business event this weekend, so I am seeking a woman who provides your kind of services. I am totally aware of the terms and conditions of this transaction. Please let me know if it is possible to negotiate further details of this business with you on the phone.
My phone number: 754-3010286
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ms. Woodson
Clarke was very impressed by this, normally none of her former customers has ever introduced themselves this politely. This business wasn’t exactly the right place to find somebody with manners. She needed the money, so she will give it definitely a try. This Ms. Woodson seemed really professional.
A day of long medical classes later, she finally found the time to give this woman a call who messaged her earlier this day. Some customers prefer it to text but Clarke thinks that it is too stressful. So, she dials the number…
“Woodson of Woodson Associates.” says a voice in a serious tone.
“Hello, my name is Clarke Griffin, I am calling because of the message you left me on this website.” responds Clarke.
“Ah, of course. Do you agree on discussing further details?” Ms. Woodson says.
“Sure, do you have experiences with the kind of services that I provide?”
“Not necessarily but I think I am aware of the major rules if that’s where you’re getting at.”
“Well, yeah but there are some little things that I would like you to know before we get to the payment. If you book me, I will attend any kind of event with you as long as it doesn’t involve anything illegal, the job ends at 10am the next morning the latest and I get paid by hour so it is your decision for how long you want to make use of my services.” Clarke explains to her.
“These terms sound very agreeable.” the other woman responds.
“Okay great! My charges are $150 per hour, this involves all the services that I offer and I only accept cheques or cash, no credit cards.” Clarke says.
“This won’t be a problem for me. Am I allowed to provide you with specific pieces of clothing I want you to wear at the event?” Ms. Woodson asks.
“Of course, you can tell me a colour you’d prefer me to wear and any kind of jewellery you would provide me with.”
“Okay sounds all good. I will text you the details about when this event is taking place and I require you to send me the location from where I should pick you up.”
“I will, gladly”
“Very good, it was a pleasure doing business with you Ms. Griffin.”
“And with you Ms. Woodson.”
As Clarke hangs up the phone she has rather mixed feelings about this. The woman seemed totally professional and she has no doubt in her mind that she will be paid more than enough for this but she’s afraid that this will be a rather boring evening. Normally people never book her for such high-society events, so this job will need a little more preparation than the last ones. The things we do for money.