Hope & Mel | A Job
Apr. 1st, 2024 02:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsHope runs into Mel and they discuss employment.
"I had heard you were moving to the mansion." Hope greeted Mel briefly as she pulled off her gloves and hat. "Too bad you did not get to wear that lovely dress for the Easter service."
“Oh, hi Ms. Hope,” Mel smiled, though it was somewhat tinged with sadness. She clicked off her phone and slid it into her pocket. “Yeah, it’s a shame. I’ll hafta ask Jay if he’s found a church he likes up here so I can wear it sometime.”
"Personally I do not attend but from what I have heard there are quite a few nearby and even more possible options if you are willing to travel for a bit." Hope smiled at her as she gathered her outerwear in one arm, tote on the other one. "How have you been settling in otherwise? This place can be a bit of a change, even if you have visited before."
“Is it weird that I’m feeling a bit stir crazy?” Back home there was always stuff that needed doing, but here there was only so many time she could clean the suite until it was excessive. “I’ve been tryin’ to get a job, but turns out not havin’ any references cause they all hate yer guts now ain’t good fer hiring.” She shrugged. “Other than that.. fine, I guess. Could be worse.”
"Having very little to do can drive you batty. And I am sorry to hear about having no luck with your job search." Hope titled her head a little as she glanced around. This wasn't really a conversation to have in the middle of the hallway. "Let us slip in that parlour for a moment and we can talk a little more comfortably if you would like that. And maybe tell me a little more about where you have applied?"
Mel followed Hope into the parlour. “Well back home I worked retail an’ I never liked it much, so I wanted to do something different here but most want a college degree. I applied to some anyways but never heard back, an’ then some of the retail in town. Never got an interview. I have been doing some freelance stuff in the city when I can catch a ride in but it ain’t very… fufilling I guess is the right word.” The dog walking and delivery was fine, she knew DX really well now, but it didn’t feel like her.
"That sounds pretty tough indeed. Especially when you are new to the area." And with no college degree and no network it could indeed be pretty tough. "So what kind of freelance jobs have you been doing? And what would you like to be doing?"
“Dog walkin’ on through an app, it’s pretty easy, an’ then one of the shops in the DX has me deliverin’ in the area. It’s okay, keeps me on my feet which is nice.” Mel paused, unsure how to answer Hope’s other question. What did she want to do? It almost felt like there were too many options up here and that she wasn’t qualified for any of them. Being in the mansion, Mel really felt the lack of a college degree. Back home graduating high school was an achievement, many didn’t, here merely a requirement. And half the people she met just talked smart.
“I ain’t sure on what I want to do really. I like bein’ busy an’ I like makin’ stuff, I used to want t’be a mechanic.” She grinned at the memory that flashed of her ‘helping’ Sam with the family truck. “But I’m not really sure an’ that’s what’s makin’ it hard I guess.”
"A mechanic? That is a little unexpected." Hope tapped her chin thoughtfully. "And it sounds like dog walking and delivery work do not sound like they give you the starting point you need either. But since you mentioned being a mechanic... Mel, do you prefer working with your hands? More practical work, so to speak?"
“I was thirteen and goin’ through a phase,” Mel shrugged. She pondered Hope’s question. “I guess? It’s a mite more satisfying to actually see the work you’ve done, yknow? Bein’ able to finish something and be proud of it.” It felt more purposeful. She’d hardly ever minded her chores back home. Those had purpose. Keeping less work off of Mama and the rest and making sure the farm ran smoothly.
Hope nodded thoughtfully, then quickly pulled out her phone to look through some texts. "I know this might be somewhat unexpected, but have you ever had the chance to work with plants or flowers?"
“Not like, professionally or anythin’, but I did grow up on a farm,” Mel said, not quite understanding what Hope was getting at yet.
"I might have mentioned I have my own company which organises events. Often those spaces are decorated with flowers and other greenery. One of the businesses I work with has been complaining about having too few hands. It would be mostly grunt work until you gain some experience, but I could introduce you if you wish." Hope simply offered.
Mel’s face lit up. “Oh my goodness, really? That would be great- thank you!”
"Gladly done. And if that does not really work, I might have a connection or two with either catering companies or businesses who do tech setup for example." Hope added "And others in the mansion might have valuable connections as well... though I would probably recommend not going with Worthington companies and subsidiaries for a bit in case Warren gets gallant."
Mel internally snorted at that, it was a bit late to avoid Warren’s gallanting. She schooled her face. “I’ll be sure to keep that all in mind.”
"I'll give the floral business your number, so do not be surprised if you get a phone call soon." Hope pulled a notebook from her purse and quickly scribbled down a few things. "Here are the name of the business and name and number of my contact person there. I imagine you might want to check them out yourself."
Mel nodded and took the slip of paper, snapping a quick picture of it with her phone just in case she misplaced it. This felt like something she could do. Even if it was just hauling around centerpieces or whatever, it would keep her busy. “Thank you, really. This is awful kind of you.” She’d have to bake something for her.
"Let me know how it goes and as well if they do not reach out to you within a day or two." Hope tucked away her notebook and quickly gathered her own supplies. "You have my number, right?"
“Yep, got it when I visited! I’ll be sure to text you any updates.” Mel smiled, moving to stand. She felt like giving Hope a hug, but offered a handshake instead. “I’ll let you be on yer way now- thank you again. I really appreciate it.”
"I had heard you were moving to the mansion." Hope greeted Mel briefly as she pulled off her gloves and hat. "Too bad you did not get to wear that lovely dress for the Easter service."
“Oh, hi Ms. Hope,” Mel smiled, though it was somewhat tinged with sadness. She clicked off her phone and slid it into her pocket. “Yeah, it’s a shame. I’ll hafta ask Jay if he’s found a church he likes up here so I can wear it sometime.”
"Personally I do not attend but from what I have heard there are quite a few nearby and even more possible options if you are willing to travel for a bit." Hope smiled at her as she gathered her outerwear in one arm, tote on the other one. "How have you been settling in otherwise? This place can be a bit of a change, even if you have visited before."
“Is it weird that I’m feeling a bit stir crazy?” Back home there was always stuff that needed doing, but here there was only so many time she could clean the suite until it was excessive. “I’ve been tryin’ to get a job, but turns out not havin’ any references cause they all hate yer guts now ain’t good fer hiring.” She shrugged. “Other than that.. fine, I guess. Could be worse.”
"Having very little to do can drive you batty. And I am sorry to hear about having no luck with your job search." Hope titled her head a little as she glanced around. This wasn't really a conversation to have in the middle of the hallway. "Let us slip in that parlour for a moment and we can talk a little more comfortably if you would like that. And maybe tell me a little more about where you have applied?"
Mel followed Hope into the parlour. “Well back home I worked retail an’ I never liked it much, so I wanted to do something different here but most want a college degree. I applied to some anyways but never heard back, an’ then some of the retail in town. Never got an interview. I have been doing some freelance stuff in the city when I can catch a ride in but it ain’t very… fufilling I guess is the right word.” The dog walking and delivery was fine, she knew DX really well now, but it didn’t feel like her.
"That sounds pretty tough indeed. Especially when you are new to the area." And with no college degree and no network it could indeed be pretty tough. "So what kind of freelance jobs have you been doing? And what would you like to be doing?"
“Dog walkin’ on through an app, it’s pretty easy, an’ then one of the shops in the DX has me deliverin’ in the area. It’s okay, keeps me on my feet which is nice.” Mel paused, unsure how to answer Hope’s other question. What did she want to do? It almost felt like there were too many options up here and that she wasn’t qualified for any of them. Being in the mansion, Mel really felt the lack of a college degree. Back home graduating high school was an achievement, many didn’t, here merely a requirement. And half the people she met just talked smart.
“I ain’t sure on what I want to do really. I like bein’ busy an’ I like makin’ stuff, I used to want t’be a mechanic.” She grinned at the memory that flashed of her ‘helping’ Sam with the family truck. “But I’m not really sure an’ that’s what’s makin’ it hard I guess.”
"A mechanic? That is a little unexpected." Hope tapped her chin thoughtfully. "And it sounds like dog walking and delivery work do not sound like they give you the starting point you need either. But since you mentioned being a mechanic... Mel, do you prefer working with your hands? More practical work, so to speak?"
“I was thirteen and goin’ through a phase,” Mel shrugged. She pondered Hope’s question. “I guess? It’s a mite more satisfying to actually see the work you’ve done, yknow? Bein’ able to finish something and be proud of it.” It felt more purposeful. She’d hardly ever minded her chores back home. Those had purpose. Keeping less work off of Mama and the rest and making sure the farm ran smoothly.
Hope nodded thoughtfully, then quickly pulled out her phone to look through some texts. "I know this might be somewhat unexpected, but have you ever had the chance to work with plants or flowers?"
“Not like, professionally or anythin’, but I did grow up on a farm,” Mel said, not quite understanding what Hope was getting at yet.
"I might have mentioned I have my own company which organises events. Often those spaces are decorated with flowers and other greenery. One of the businesses I work with has been complaining about having too few hands. It would be mostly grunt work until you gain some experience, but I could introduce you if you wish." Hope simply offered.
Mel’s face lit up. “Oh my goodness, really? That would be great- thank you!”
"Gladly done. And if that does not really work, I might have a connection or two with either catering companies or businesses who do tech setup for example." Hope added "And others in the mansion might have valuable connections as well... though I would probably recommend not going with Worthington companies and subsidiaries for a bit in case Warren gets gallant."
Mel internally snorted at that, it was a bit late to avoid Warren’s gallanting. She schooled her face. “I’ll be sure to keep that all in mind.”
"I'll give the floral business your number, so do not be surprised if you get a phone call soon." Hope pulled a notebook from her purse and quickly scribbled down a few things. "Here are the name of the business and name and number of my contact person there. I imagine you might want to check them out yourself."
Mel nodded and took the slip of paper, snapping a quick picture of it with her phone just in case she misplaced it. This felt like something she could do. Even if it was just hauling around centerpieces or whatever, it would keep her busy. “Thank you, really. This is awful kind of you.” She’d have to bake something for her.
"Let me know how it goes and as well if they do not reach out to you within a day or two." Hope tucked away her notebook and quickly gathered her own supplies. "You have my number, right?"
“Yep, got it when I visited! I’ll be sure to text you any updates.” Mel smiled, moving to stand. She felt like giving Hope a hug, but offered a handshake instead. “I’ll let you be on yer way now- thank you again. I really appreciate it.”
