Emma
Getting to work tonight is easy. I have a new costume and can’t wait to wear it onstage.
Doing things like getting a new costume helps me to break the sameness of going on stage three times a night and six days a week. I’ve got to do things like having a new costume or doing a new dance to keep me going.
I’m sewing on the last sequin when Ginger comes into the dressing room. She comes to sit next to me.
“Hey Emma, how’s it going?” Ginger says.
“I’m fine.”
“Is your dad still a captain for the firefighter’s unit?”
“Sure, he’s still a captain.”
“But he’s still in charge over there?”
“Well, I guess so.”
“That’s great because I’m going to be a firefighter. I take the exam this week and then go for an interview.”
I finish sewing the last sequin and put my costume down on my makeup table.
“What’s that?” Ginger asks.
“A new costume.”
Ginger picks up the costume and studies it.
“Pretty cool.”
“Thanks.”
Ginger gives me back my costume and leans into my space.
“I’m counting on you to tell daddy about your friend Ginger who wants to be a firefighter.”
“What do you want me to tell him?”
“You know, put in the fix.”
“The fix?”
“Arrange for your dad to pass me on the test and the interview so that I can be a firefighter easy peasy, just like that.”
Unbelievable, Ginger wants my father to cheat the hiring process. My father would never be biased. I can’t ask him to do this. When I tell Ginger this, she totally flips out on me.
“I can’t believe that you won’t do this for me. Gosh, you must really hate me.”
“This has nothing to do with love or hate. I can’t ask my dad to do this. It’s against all the rules. He would never hire someone who expects a free ride.”
“Whatever Emma. You’re just making excuses at this point. I get it. We aren’t friends so you won’t do this for me.”
“I told you, it has nothing to do with whether we are friends or not. I just can’t do it.”
“You are such a bitch Emma. You think you are better than everybody else. And you know what, bitches get punished in the end.”
“Is that a threat Ginger?”