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 Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:41 pm
Tony probably should not have been at work. Considering he had been shot a few days ago, and was still recovering. He hadn't powered up to go patrolling since then, but that was probably because he chose to hide his injury and work it off like nothing happened.
He couldn't really miss any more work for a while.
So he showed up, worked through his day, and had to go home at night just to rest and sleep and nurse his injury without proper medical aid. He couldn't afford to go the hospital again, either. On top of everything else, he was also hiding the injury from his son.
Double lives, it turned out, were hard to manage sometimes.
He was sitting at his desk, with Dogby sleeping in his lap. Things were reasonably quiet in the library, which was a relief because he was in pain and looking pale and tired because of it. He was typing listlessly at his computer, though if he was actually accomplishing anything with the feeble button presses of his keyboard was anyone's guess.
It was doubtful if even Tony knew.
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:16 pm
Kathryn eyed the doors of the library with a little bit of apprehension. She'd come here often before - but today was different. Today was when she would find if she was determined and keen enough to seek out her first job. This was the place that she'd wished to apply first though. Being a patron of the library for a long time Kathryn was used to the little nooks and corners that the building offered. However keen she was though Kat was well aware that she would have to submit resumes in other locales as well. Dressed smartly in a casual cream and black ensemble Kathryn tugged a little uncomfortably on her turtleneck collar before pulling open the door and walking into the building. She clutched a manila envelope that contained her current resumes. Walking through the quiet building Kathryn stopped at the circulation desk and glanced at the person sitting behind it. He didn't look well at all. Kathryn cleared her throat politely, "I saw in the paper that you might be looking to hire help. Has the position been filled?" She withdrew one resume before looking more closely at Tony. "Are you alright?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:31 pm
Tony glanced up when he heard someone enter the library, mostly because it was instinct to do so. He smiled a hello then looked right back to the computer screen, not realizing that the girl he had just seen coming in was actually heading for the front counter.
Dogby looked up first when Kat started speaking. She hopped down from Tony's lap, which was a gigantic leap for a small dog with short paws, and hurried over to say hi to this new friend she had totally just made. She yipped as she sat herself next to Kat's foot. The corgi was well behaved, in her way, but she was addicted to attention.
Tony looked up and saw his dog skittering, then saw the girl again, standing at the counter.
"Ah, hello," he said, getting up from his seat and leaning on his cane heavily. It was usually just for a limp he had acquired from various injuries to his leg, but now he was using it to support his tired body. He limped from his desk to the front counter. "Oh, I'm fine, thank you. And we're always looking for help. Are you interested in a permanent or temporary position?" he reached for the resume, holding out his hand so she could give it to him if she wanted to.
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:43 am
Kathryn looked down at her feet just as the small dog announced its presence to her. Never being one to skimp on admiring animals Kathryn carefully placed the sheet of paper on the desk before crouching down to gently pet the dog. She was actually surprised to see an animal in the building itself. The library that was closest to her parents' house had a strict policy were only guide dogs were allowed to be inside. Maybe all the libraries had different policies. It was something to think about.
Kathryn gave the dog at her feet a few more scratches before realizing that the sound she was hearing was that of a cane striking the floor. Rising to stand tall again she retrieved the piece of paper all job applicants needed and passed it to the man standing at the front counter. Maybe she was too dressed up for a simple resume drop off but Kathryn was nothing if not prepared. "I'm interested in a permanent position sir."
Short and succinct. The 'sir' just happened to slip in. It always happened.
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:06 pm
The Corgi was in love with being pet. She was also now in love with this new friend, but it really wasn't very hard for her to give her heart to everyone she met. So far, she had never had it broken, if only because she was only aware of very simple things.
Being pet, being looked at, being acknowledged in anyway... that was all she needed.
Tony smiled at Kat as she offered him the resume, taking it and glancing at it cordially.
"A permanent position, alright. I'll be able to take a better look and see if we have positions available in a little while. I'll give you a call, then, when I know for sure, either way. I always find it miserable, waiting for a call that never comes, don't you?" Not that he had ever really had much trouble finding and keeping a job. He was one of the lucky ones, he supposed.
"But we might as well do a little interview, if you don't mind?" He tilted his head at her, not wanting her to walk away feeling like she had just handed him some paper he would never look at.
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Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:36 pm
Kathryn looked down at the Corgi at her feet again before turning her whole attention back to Tony. She understood that it was a long shot applying for a permanent position right away. It may not yield a positive outlook but she felt that she had to at least try. Money could only be stretched out for so long. Kat didn't want to even approach the level where she would be feeling the financial pinch. Having a roommate to share the burden of the cost of living helped a little but Kathryn wanted to be financially independent. Hence the job search.
"I understand that it might take a while for something to open up. I'm willing to take the risk in waiting."
Kathryn gave Tony a quizzical look before understanding that he may want to get a more in depth check of her work values and personality with such an impromptu interview. Thinking about it for a moment Kathryn gave the librarian a quick smile. Taking the interview now could cast her in a more positive light. It would show that she didn't shy away from unpleasant or unexpected tasks.
"An interview right now sounds like a plan. My afternoon's schedule is absolutely empty."
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:19 am
Tony smiled and nodded his head. The library rotated staff quite often, as much as every semester, and that often opened up positions for people at least temporarily.
"Good!" He said, laughing.
He went to the sitting area nearby, some arm chairs around a coffee table in an alcove lined with shelves where the new releases were displayed. He sat down in one of the armchairs, motioning for her to take any of the seats.
"Well, I won't make this too formal. I just wanted to know a little about what draws you to the library to seek employment, if it is a specific choice. Do you like books?"
Of course, that was not a prerequisite for working in the library. Tony, as it stood, did not read very often. He didn't really like to. He had his books that held his interest, Arthurian legends and the like, but other than that he was basically a non-reader. He did love the books, though. The physical items, the ideas behind them, the passage of knowledge through them. In that regard, he loved books.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:09 pm
Kathryn followed Tony to the sitting area and found a comfortable arm chair. Sitting down her gaze caught the display of new releases and her eyes flicked past the titles before she refocused on Tony. She was glad that this interview wasn't too formal although now she felt that she had overdressed for the occasion. Oh well, better safe than sorry.
As Tony asked her what drew her to seek employment with the library and if she liked books. Kat just had to grin in response, "I do like books. My passion runs a little deeper than like though. I wanted to at least try to find a job at a place where I feel comfortable. Libraries are wonderful places for someone who seeks knowledge in words printed on pages."
Kathryn gave Tony a sheepish smile, "Sorry I think I went off on a bit of a run there. The truth is I would like to experience working in a library or a bookstore because I love books. I want to help others discover the joys that reading can bring them."
Kat gave the new release shelf another quick gaze as she fell quiet. She had spoken her response truthfully and now waited to hear what Tony might think.
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:38 pm
Tony was always dressed nice while he was at work. Brown suits and ties were the normal. He liked to differentiate himself and make sure that people knew he was a figure of authority in the library, and that he was at work. Not too relaxed, but it also was his personal choice. He did not require his staff to do the same.
He smiled at her answer, nodding his head slowly as he listened. Some people were very passionate about knowledge, just as he was the books themselves. It did not really matter that he had never gotten quite that part of it. It was still something he liked to see in others. A passion for reading and for learning were good things.
"No, don't apologize, that's why I asked. You don't have to apologize for something you obviously have a passion for, and want to share. I like that." He nodded his head, reassuring, "I think it's a good quality to have. Where did this love come from? I mean, have you always just liked to read, from school?" A bit of a personal question, but now he felt like they were just talking.
He liked talking to people, when he wasn't being completely awkward.
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:37 pm
Kathryn glowed a little at Tony's praise for her answer. It was probably silly to have that sort of reaction. To admit freely and honestly about why she wanted to work in such a place and then not be ridiculed was a pleasant feeling. Not everyone seemed to share her passion for the written word. There was nothing like picking up a book and delving into the author's world of imagination. So busy trapped in her own musings Kathryn almost forgot that there was another part to Tony's response. For a moment she panicked as she tried to remember what it was he'd asked her. It came to the front of her mind almost a minute later.
"The love I have of reading and books came from my parents. They read to me when I was young. As I grew older I learned to read for myself. I'm pretty sure my parents were thrilled," Kathryn gazed keenly around her before focusing on Tony with a sly look. "They didn't always appreciate their only daughter begging for more story time." Kat chuckled at this. Looking back on her memories Kat realized just how much her parents had done for her. Her fingers itched as her eyes caught a specific book on the shelf. The book called to her to pick it up. Kathryn ignored the siren call as best as she could. She couldn't just get up and retrieve the book at this time. Maybe later.
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:41 am
Tony smiled distantly as he imagined it.
He had a bit of a soft spot for stories about growing up. He wondered about having a young child to read to, and he smiled at the idea of it. He doubted Nate would have been like that, but maybe if he had a chance to grow up with Tony things would have turned out differently...
Is he had been happy.
Tony didn't know what kind of a father he would have been, though, as he wasn't sure he was a very good one now. Of course, it was harder to be a new parent to a nearly grown kid.
Or maybe that was an excuse.
He shook his head and drew himself out of his revelry, smiling at her.
"That's very good," he said, nodding his head, "I look forward to giving you a call with your schedule, then," he said, standing suddenly and offering her his hand. He smiled at her softly. "If that's alright with you, of course."
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:50 pm
If they weren't in a library Kathryn probably would have started running around hollering at the top of her lungs. It would have been a little extreme of her to do so but what else could one do at the prospect of a successful first interview? As it was Kathryn watched as Tony stood suddenly and she followed suit with a moment's hesitation. As the librarian offered his hand for her to shake Kathryn extended her own and gently clasped the man's hand. It felt a little odd to be shaking her potential boss's hand at the moment but it was the right way to end an interview.
Kat beamed at Tony as he explained about giving her a call with her schedule. She gave a quick nod of her head before trusting her voice. "It is more than alright. I look forward to that phone call. I've said it once already but I'd be really happy working here."
Thinking that maybe that was overdoing it a little Kathryn withdrew her hand and waited for the librarian to take his leave. She wanted to pick out a few new items of reading material before she left the building. Killing two birds with one stone left her feeling mighty proud of herself.
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:37 pm
Tony smiled as she took his hand and nodded his head, chuckling as he gave it a firm shake.
"Good, good. Well. I do enjoy making people happy, so I suppose I have no choice in this matter." He grinned at her teasingly. He was a nice man, and tried his best to be a good, understanding boss. It sometimes made him a bit of a push over, but he knew in the end what was best for his library and lived to that standard.
A girl that had so much passion for books was clearly good for his library.
He moved to let her about her business, promising he would give her a call in due time. And he would, with her schedule, as promised. She was hired on the spot and that put Tony in a good mood as he went to his desk to work out the details on his schedule.
And of course, check out any books she wanted to her when she was done. Maybe he'd have things worked out before she even came back to the desk, but that would be a little hurried. So he focused on doing a good, clear job of it rather than a fast one, and read over her resume, scheduling conflicts, and his established schedule for the other workers.
She would get her schedule that evening.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:10 pm
Kathryn gave Tony another smile and even gave a quiet chuckle of her own. If she were to end up working here it looked like he'd be a good person to have as her boss. Kat watched as Tony excused himself and she quickly sank back down into the chair that she'd recently vacated. In her mind she went over the brief interview before she sagged in relief. For now all she could do was wait for the verdict if she passed Tony's requirement.
Pulling herself together Kat rose from her seat and moved closer to the shelf that held the new releases. Her eyes quickly skimmed the titles and she selected the book that had caught her eye earlier. Another book quickly joined the pile and Kat grinned. New reading material was sometimes hard to come by. If she paced herself these two books could last her about a week. Taking her selections back to the chair Kat flipped through the first couple of pages on the second book before sighing. She'd taken another critical step in her life's journey. Gathering up everything and slipping into her jacket Kathryn headed back towards the checkout counter.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:40 am
Tony looked up when he heard her coming toward the counter. He had trained his senses to note the approach of people when he was working, so he didn't ignore customers if he was doing paper work or tending to the books.
He was at a good angle for it from his desk, anyway, as he was just behind the counter. He got up from his desk and limped to the front counter.
"Ready to check out, then?"
He woke the computer from sleep mode and asked for her library card, scanning it and then scanning the books before stamping them with the date and sliding them back to her. He smiled and told her when they were due, though it was unlikely that she would miss a deadline now once she started working for the library.
They could just go in and extend their checked out books themselves. It wasn't like it was cheating, anyone could call in and have their books extended if they needed to, up to twice. Or more if Tony was feeling nice, and it was a good reason.
Both things were often true.
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