Claire was incredibly nervous about her first day at her new job. But getting trapped in an elevator and accidentally smacking a stranger in the nose made things even worse. To her horror, she discovered that this stranger was her new boss, a man known for being harsh and unrelenting.
Walking down the bustling street, Claire’s insides quivered with nerves. This was her dream job – starting as a graphic designer at a major firm. She wanted to make a fantastic first impression.
Claire was naturally a bit clumsy, so making stellar first impressions wasn’t her forte. But today, everything had to be perfect.
She had heard through the grapevine that her new boss was very strict and intolerant of mistakes. This only heightened her anxiety.
Trying to calm herself, Claire took a deep breath as she approached the tall office building, its glass exterior gleaming in the sunlight. With a final gulp of courage, she walked inside.
The lobby was as grand as it was busy, with people hustling around. Claire, feeling overwhelmed, hurried towards the elevators. She found an attractive man already waiting. He looked important in his sharp suit and confident stance, though Claire couldn’t place why he seemed familiar.
“I already pressed the button,” he said coldly when she went to hit it anyway.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think… It’s my first day,” Claire stammered, awkwardly trying to explain herself. The man just gave her a stern look.
The elevator arrived, and both stepped inside. The man pressed the button for the 11th floor. When Claire also indicated she was going to the same floor, she commented, “Looks like we’re colleagues.”
“Yeah,” was his terse reply. Then, “I heard the boss is strict and doesn’t tolerate mistakes,” she said nervously.
“That’s right. A successful company can’t afford errors or the people who make them,” he responded.
“Maybe,” Claire said, thinking they wouldn’t be friends. She extended her hand. “I’m Claire.”
“Yes, I—” The man was cut off as the elevator suddenly stopped and the lights went out.
“What’s happening?” Claire asked, panic in her voice.
“Just a malfunction. It should start again soon,” he replied calmly. But Claire wasn’t calming down; she was really afraid of confined spaces.
“Calm down; it should be alright soon,” he tried to reassure her. But Claire started to hyperventilate and pace.
“I’m really afraid of confined spaces,” Claire admitted.
