There were still two hours until quitting time, and Jenny had nothing much to do. She was about to get up and go to the break room for some water when she saw Ronald walk into the office with his bag.
He went straight into Mr. Alpha's office. Soon after, he came out and called Mr. Eliot in.
Voices from the office carried Mr. Alpha's praise, saying Ronald was clever.
After a while, he instructed Mr. Eliot to write to Mr. Burshuta and set up a time so that he could personally visit.
Those outside the office heard clearly and began to discuss how Ronald had managed to get the door open.
Soon it was time to leave. The rain had stopped, and people were already leaving.
Jenny had just packed her things into her bag and was about to stand up when she saw a receptionist from the lobby bring someone in.
She recognized him: Kelisi. Ethan.
He obviously recognized her too. Kelisi. Ethan walked straight up to Jenny and asked with surprise and delight:
"Aren't you that clerk from the other day? Your name is Jenny, right? Aren't you from the monthly next door?"
Jenny saw his happy expression, brushed off the question with a vague answer, and asked him what he was here for.
Ethan puffed out his chest.
"I have to thank you for your advice. I rewrote my manuscript and sent it to Mr. Alpha. He said the weekly's long-form slot is full.
Though he won't sign a contract with me, after reading the content, he referred me to Benjamin. Rog from the Literature Department upstairs. Tonight, I'm going to meet him with Mr. Alpha as the intermediary. If he's satisfied, maybe my book can be published directly."
Jenny congratulated him.
"That's great news. Mr. Alpha hasn't left yet, so go ahead."
Ethan took a business card from his pocket and gave it to Jenny, saying he'd treat her to a meal another day. Then he hurried into Mr. Alpha's office.
"Jenny, is he Kelisi. Ethan? Isn't he already past his prime?"
Behind her, Monique nudged Jenny's arm and whispered.
"Shh, careful he hears."
Jenny pulled Monique out of the office quickly, planning to meet up with Leni and the others.
Monique already knew that Jenny's two roommates were veteran employees who got along well with her and even lent her clothes.
From Jenny, she also learned that Denise and Leni were planning to go shopping that afternoon, so she eagerly wanted to join.
Denise and Leni readily agreed—more people meant better bargaining power.
By the time Jenny and Monique got off work, Leni and Denise had already hired a private carriage.
The carriage took the four of them deep into Broadway and Midtown, stopping at various small shops along the street.
Leni and Denise were familiar with the area, knowing every corner's merchandise like the back of their hands.
Monique and Jenny, as new employees with just a bit of money in their pockets, were along for the experience.
After the shoe store, they went to a clothing store. Soon, Denise was hesitating in a corner over two nearly identical dresses.
Jenny saw her discussing with Leni, stepped over, and glanced at the price tags—both around fifteen to twenty dollars. She wondered what Denise was agonizing over.
For the average New York resident, twenty dollars could be half a month's salary, entirely a luxury item.
But for Dawling's entry-level employees, it was a respectable purchase that only required scrimping for a week.
"Are you going to some important occasion?" Jenny asked.
Denise nodded.
"The sales manager from the distribution department is having a wedding at the Ritz next weekend, and I'm in charge of arranging the guests' seating.
He's inviting too many people from all walks, and many of them have grudges with each other. The hotel waiters don't even know the guests' faces, so it's easier for us subordinates to handle. That's why I'm here to get a new outfit."
"If any of you are free that day, why not come with me? It'll be a help, and you'll get paid and leftover materials."
Denise whispered a few words to them, and the three immediately agreed to help.
So, to have a decent outfit, Jenny browsed the clothing store for a while. At first, she didn't see anything she liked, but just as she was leaving, she spotted a dress in the window display.
A black-and-white polka-dot velvet evening gown, looking very understated and elegant, struck a chord in Jenny's heart.
She thought to herself, after working so hard all week, couldn't she reward herself a little?
So she went back to ask the owner for the price, and with the combined bargaining efforts of the other three, she managed to buy the luxury item for exactly sixteen dollars.
For that, Jenny said she'd have to eat plain white bread for a week, without even a slice of bacon.