Anthropologist
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Posts
- 125
It wasn't the dream job she had hoped to find, but in this post WW2 world, with all the men returning home, there isn't much to choose from for a 21 year old literature graduate. She can just see the stonework of the old mansion through the unkempt shrubs and trees lining the graveled path. She takes a deep breath and stiffens her resolve as she pushes the heavy iron gate open enough to slip through and start the walk up the drive. It's been a long journey, first the train, then a taxi, and the cheap cardboard suitcase clutched in her right hand seems to be getting heavier and heavier.
She is wearing what she thought would be appropriate for a "Young lady to assist an eminent professor in the study of anthropology" which is what the newspaper advertisement said, so her tweed skirt and jacket, button up blouse and flat heels seem sensible. She is a bit concerned that the new, and hard to obtain, silk stockings may not survive the ever encroaching shrubbery though.
Finally she makes it to the door. She has a reasonable expectation of just who the professor is, having asked around the college community. Tall, mid fifties, distinguished looking and oh so so eccentric. Given to going off into tangents in the classroom, known to have a temper, and there were many a suggestion of young female students getting a little more attention than they really wanted. She sighs, as she climbs the four stone steps to the front door, and then holds her head high as she knocks on the heavy oak door.
A few moments pass, a dog barks, but it seems to come from way back in the house. She hears footfalls, and a female voice saying "wait a moment, just coming" then the snick of a lock being drawn, and the door opens. A diminutive but very pretty Eurasian women of indeterminate age, but probably in her forties, smiles up at her "You must be Pauline, come in dear and I'll fetch the professor" She ushers her in, easing the suitcase from her aching fingers, and calling "Ederick, we have a guest" in a surprisingly loud voice for such a small woman.
A sandy haired man enters from what appears to be a kitchen door, a chocolate brown large dog of very mixed breeding accompanies him. His stoop and pallor makes the man appear old, but as he takes the suitcase, she can see that he is only in his thirties. It's a phenomenon she has witnessed before amongst those who have returned from the front. He doesn't make eye contact with her, just turns and takes the case upstairs, and the little woman tut tuts at his rudeness.
She ushers Pauline into a small sitting room, and directs her to sit in on a small leather sofa. "the professor will be down shortly my dear, I'll fetch you a nice cup of tea, you must be weary after such a journey" and she leaves, the sitting room door closing with a soft click She looks around, the room is crowded to the point of cluttered, with odd pieces of furniture, a wooden stool there, a chair that appears to be made of sticks, a carved chest in a corner, and more. It seems to have been furnished by someone well travelled, who has bought back a piece from every destination. And then the clutter, artifacts adorn the walls, are stuffed into cabinets, or bookshelves, with the books ending up in stacks all over the room, on every surface. the overall impression is chaotic.
The door opens, "Hello Pauline" says a deep male voice................
(This is closed for Katalyn, but comments by PM welcome)
She is wearing what she thought would be appropriate for a "Young lady to assist an eminent professor in the study of anthropology" which is what the newspaper advertisement said, so her tweed skirt and jacket, button up blouse and flat heels seem sensible. She is a bit concerned that the new, and hard to obtain, silk stockings may not survive the ever encroaching shrubbery though.
Finally she makes it to the door. She has a reasonable expectation of just who the professor is, having asked around the college community. Tall, mid fifties, distinguished looking and oh so so eccentric. Given to going off into tangents in the classroom, known to have a temper, and there were many a suggestion of young female students getting a little more attention than they really wanted. She sighs, as she climbs the four stone steps to the front door, and then holds her head high as she knocks on the heavy oak door.
A few moments pass, a dog barks, but it seems to come from way back in the house. She hears footfalls, and a female voice saying "wait a moment, just coming" then the snick of a lock being drawn, and the door opens. A diminutive but very pretty Eurasian women of indeterminate age, but probably in her forties, smiles up at her "You must be Pauline, come in dear and I'll fetch the professor" She ushers her in, easing the suitcase from her aching fingers, and calling "Ederick, we have a guest" in a surprisingly loud voice for such a small woman.
A sandy haired man enters from what appears to be a kitchen door, a chocolate brown large dog of very mixed breeding accompanies him. His stoop and pallor makes the man appear old, but as he takes the suitcase, she can see that he is only in his thirties. It's a phenomenon she has witnessed before amongst those who have returned from the front. He doesn't make eye contact with her, just turns and takes the case upstairs, and the little woman tut tuts at his rudeness.
She ushers Pauline into a small sitting room, and directs her to sit in on a small leather sofa. "the professor will be down shortly my dear, I'll fetch you a nice cup of tea, you must be weary after such a journey" and she leaves, the sitting room door closing with a soft click She looks around, the room is crowded to the point of cluttered, with odd pieces of furniture, a wooden stool there, a chair that appears to be made of sticks, a carved chest in a corner, and more. It seems to have been furnished by someone well travelled, who has bought back a piece from every destination. And then the clutter, artifacts adorn the walls, are stuffed into cabinets, or bookshelves, with the books ending up in stacks all over the room, on every surface. the overall impression is chaotic.
The door opens, "Hello Pauline" says a deep male voice................
(This is closed for Katalyn, but comments by PM welcome)