Friday, 19th February 1993

                                    

                                          
            
                          
"She's not bread & salami. She's water & soap.
                          
She's an intelligent and sensitive person, notable presence and education. She's introverted but I don't think weak. She has a particular personal story; she has also a legally protected status, we'll save money if we hire her and..."
                          
But how it's possible that a woman working as a personnel recruiter in one of the largest multinationals in the world forgets to close the door while she's introducing his colleague to the candidate's profile he'll have to meet in a matter of minutes and who's sitting in the waiting room only a few meters away?!
                          
That wasn't all, my smart interviewer had a tone of voice sounding like a trumpet blast; the semi-open door could therefore be an intentional choice, since with such a voiceprint she'd have however broken the sound barrier. Also my pessimistic side wanted to contribute to the debate suggesting that, when companies of that size are looking for an insignificant temporary worker, confidentiality isn't so important; doors open or closed it doesn't matter, better to save energies when they are really needed.
                          
After that encouraging beginning my potential boss completely sealed the only way of access to his thoughts, a clear sign that my scepticism that time had a bit exaggerated. While their conversation were going on towards unknown destinations, I reviewed what furtively heard: 'water & soap'? Strange, but I liked it, as not being considered a salami sandwich; even on my character they did a pretty good job. I interpreted those words as a certain predisposition to hire me, confirmed by the fact that, because of my past still present, I was available at a discounted price.
                          
While I was navigating through all those considerations the door suddenly opened and a big man dressing a refined blue suit appeared in front of me in a hurry, panting; he stared at me from the top of his bulky size, the long arms lying on the soft hips and the prominent belly almost touching my nose.
                          
I got up too.
                          
"Good morning" he told, frowned forehead and thundering tone of voice.
                          
"Good morning" I replied equally determined.
                          
"Please, come with me."
                          
I followed him until a meeting room at the bottom of a long corridor, after having dodged two open little wells full of uncovered cables, where some technicians were at work; I avoided also an open ladder positioned under a false ceiling, for sure recently installed, where an electrician was putting some spotlights. Last, I greeted a sweaty and smelly painter stacking different paint buckets in preparation of who knows what a pictorial masterpiece.
                          
"Please, sit down where you prefer."
                          
I took off my coat and I instantly obeyed.
                          
"Would you like a coffee?"
                          
"No, thanks."
                          
"Anything else, water?"
                          
"No, thanks."
                          
I was serious, ready for the duel, maybe he was having fun in those seemingly innocuous questions.
                          
He returned after less than a minute.
                          
"Sorry for the chaos but we just moved and there's still a lot of work to do."
                          
The echo of a drill swinging on the wall behind me gave more truth to his words.
                          
In the meantime he had already guzzled his coffee, sinking without grace into a leather armchair, where his relaxed abdomen struggled to find the space needed below the crystal oval table. He made a gesture getting me curios: he grabbed the edge of the shelf, inches on the upper side and the rest of the big hands semi hidden under its satin surface; that firm and steady grip suggested me aggressiveness. Better to be careful.