THE MAID part 1

I drove up to the gate of a huge estate where I had been sent for a job; it looked a little overwhelming until I remembered I would only be one member of a whole houseful of servants. Up until this point, I had only been sent on jobs at smaller houses where I was in charge of making the entire household run smoothly.

I pushed the button on the intercom and a man’s voice said, “State your name and business.”

“Elena Marceau. I’m the new maid for the west wing.”

I heard a buzzing noise and the gate began to roll open. I pulled in and drove around to the back as instructed by my employer. I had been warned that this was a tough position and that I would be asked to do many things above and beyond the call of duty But I also was informed that if I worked 5 years and served them well, I would be given a bonus large enough to make it possible for me to retire early. I could then travel and do all the things I’d ever wanted to while I was still young enough to enjoy it.

It was my understanding that this substantial bonus was offered due to the fact that it was hard to get and keep good help; and it was also due to the fact that many personal and odd requests would be made of me over the 5 years. That last part had me worried a bit, but I was determined that nothing would make me lose this job. I had no family to speak of and no money. The one thing I had was this opportunity, and I intended to make it work for me.

I parked my car and walked in with 2 suitcases and a toiletry bag. The servants’ entrance led into a kitchen area where I saw 2 cooks bustling about with the pots & pans and 2 helpers peeling vegetables and chopping & dicing.

“Where do I report for work,” I asked, to whoever was willing to answer.

No one would look at me except for the young maid peeling the vegetables. She looked around and then said quietly to me, “Go through that door and down the hall until you see a door marked ‘Mr. Coleman/Head Butler’. Knock and wait until you hear an answer. When you go in, you will see Mr. Coleman, the Head Butler. He will scare you, but you look like you can handle it. Go ahead.”

I thanked her and walked through the door and down the hall. I swallowed hard and knocked. I waited and waited, and just when I thought no one was in there, I heard the voice of evil, deep and commanding, “Enter.”

I wanted to turn and run, all of the things I had heard from my employer and from the maid in the kitchen had my imagination racing, but I hadn’t come this far to run away at this stage.