"Now Mister Manager," I said as I took a small sip of my wine, "You will give me what I want, and you will do as I say." I swirled the wine in my mouth, not drinking it. My tolerance would have me seeing two in the third glass.
He was fidgeting and had beads of sweat threatening to fall from his forehead.

"But Velondra, I don't think that's the—"
His words died in his mouth when he saw my extended leg. "Now what did I just say?"—he wiped his forehead with his handkerchief—"All I need you to do is nod. Got it?" My patience was running very thin and the wine in my mouth very stale. He would do what I told him.

"This conversation is over," I put back on my heels. I walked away, spitting the wine into a flowerpot on the way. I reached the entrance before the taste melted away from my tongue.

"Good night, Velondra," the staff members called out as they passed me, but I spot a young man in the corner staring at me in a crooked tie. Taking a deep breath, I went up to him. I could already see the gears in his head starting to turn
I don't let him speak. I take his half done tie in my hands.

*****
" Doesn't anyone know what the hell their doing!" I shout angrily as I through the stack of résumés at the wall. The papers scattered on the floor of the furthest wall of my office. Only half of them did I look at, no references no high school diploma, it could have only gotten worse.

Knock-

"Who is it?" Anger still lingers in my voice - no answer. I say it again. "Who is it?"

"I'm Simon... Simon Suro, I have new résumés for the Hill Set Bakery." I open the door to a scrawny male in his late 30's. His pale complexion turns whiter and becomes still.

" Come in, sit... Excuse the mess." I say he slowly comes in and sits down. " Do you have any recommendations?" I ask as I take my own seat.

"Yes, I-I do. Eléonore Abigal, Drake Marinada, and Mavericc Longard."

" Mavericc... Longard?"

" Yes, Henry said he put an application in for the Apple Bottom inn too." He said handing me his application.

"Hire him."

*****

"Young man, did you know who I am?" He shook his head the tiniest bit and stayed still while I put a proper knot. "Are you new this facility?" I asked, dusting off his shoulders.

"Yes Ma'am," He answered.
"I'm Velondra, the boss of your bosses,"
His eyes widened and he took a gulp of air. A faint smirk comes to my face. "Hm, how tall are you?"

"I-I'm five ten and a half."
I nodded.

"You'll do. Come with me."
He followed me behind, his apprehension clear as day. "Walk beside me, there's nothing to be worried about." We continued walking to the bakery down the street. A small drizzle found its way towards us but we had the bakery right in our sights.

"Wait for me." I was already inside when the boy could process a word and nod. The bells jingled above me. The business I had there went quick. The boy didn't need to see it. I find myself out the bakery, the drizzle had turned into a small- pouring.

"Thanks for waiting," I said, excitement clear in my voice. "Come now before we get soaked." Taking off my heels, I grabbed his hand and we ran through the rain to the hotel where I had been staying.

~~~~~~

"Wow this place is huge!" His face lights up with curiosity.

" Simon is a bit egotistical, he looks down on people... Sometimes me, but some people think I'm devious, always getting what I want. But...  I get what I want because I know what I want." I say as I drop my heels at the door. I put my card key on the kitchen table. "Could you unzip me?" I ask as I turn around.

" Sure..." He unzips my dress, I suddenly get a chill up my spine. "Excuse my cold hands Velondra, my hands stay cold."

" It's okay, mine do to that's why I wear these lace gloves... That and because they're cute. Oh... And that's not my name." I laugh as I go into the bathroom.

" Can I ask you a question?" He asks.

" I already told you, you can ask me anything," I answer as I turn on the shower.

" Why do you dress like you were in the fifties?" He asks than coughs afterward. " You only look like your in your early Twenties." He adds.

" I'm only 24, so close enough..." I start to say as I get in the shower.

" I can't hear you..." He says, probably sitting on the bed. I quickly get out and wrap myself with a towel and peak outside the open bathroom door.

" Come here." He looks at me confused." Come here, I'm not going to molest you or anything." He gets up off the corner of the bed and comes into the bathroom. " Okay, sit on the toilet so we can talk."

He sits down facing away from the shower, so I can get in. Then our conversation starts.

" Yes I'm only 24, and I love the 50's. The clothing and the food. I've always wanted to be a stay at home wife that can do everything, but I knew it would never happen. So I just decided wearing the clothes would be good enough for me." I answer as I rinse out the shampoo out of my hair.

" Okay, well... how did you get your job if your only 24?"

" That's another story for later. I promise I'll answer all your questions in time. Now hand me that half or Orange on the sink... Thank you."

" Why do you need an Orange?"

" Because I'm hungry." I laugh again. " Are you thirsty? Would you mind pouring a glass of that orange wine in the refrigerator? Thanks." I wash the conditioner out and get a towel. I change into a tank top and shorts, the usual.

" Mavericc do you want to go home, or would you want to stay with me? You'll have time to think just a day. So choose wisely." I say taking the wine from him. I know what I want... I want to show him the world.

~~~~~~~~

Watching him leave down the semi-busy street. His tall frame faded away as the rain starts to fall again. I finish my glass of Tinajas de La Mata. The taste lingers in my mouth as I remember. As I stare at the empty glass that he gave me, words just fall out of my mouth.

" He'll be back... Carman will understand... Hopefully."