Ality to follow orders a must!

Flexible hours, live-in possible.

Pay commensurate with ability. (213) 555-3825 "Ability to follow orders a must!" That phrase made my thighs tingle and gave me the sensation of having butterflies in my stomach. I went to the pay-phone at the back of the shop and dialed the number. A man's voice answered.

"3825," he said, non-committally.

"Hello," I stammered a little, feeling more nervous than the situation called for, "I'm calling in response to the ad for a part-time housekeeper."

"Do you have any experience?"

"No, but I'm a fast learner and I'm very thorough," I said.

"Are you presently employed?"

"No, I'm a student at UCLA. I'm taking a summer class and need to supplement my scholarship. I'm very good at taking orders."

"I see. Can you come for an interview this morning?"

"Yes, I can." I was getting excited by the possibility of finding a job that fit my schedule so quickly.

He gave me directions to the house and I hung up. My palms were moist. The address was in Bel Air, just five minutes from UCLA. I ran back to the dorm and jumped in my car. The appointment was for eleven o'clock, I got there at ten forty-five. I rang the bell.

"Yes?" The disembodied voice came from a small loudspeaker just over the door-bell button.

"My name is Jodie Cramer. I have an eleven o'clock appointment for a job interview," I spoke into the speaker.

"You're early," came the reply, then silence.

"I'm sorry," I said, "I didn't want to be late."

There was no response for a few moments, just the faint hum of electricity in the speaker. The sun was bright and birds were singing. The house looked airy and well kept. I wanted to make a good impression. I wanted to get the job, but I seemed to be getting off to a bad start.

"Should I leave and come back at eleven?" I asked.