The Apartment

Chapter 11: Team Work

Today is the final audition, thought Mary as she sat in silence on the cold stairs outside the dining hall alongside other highly energetic and apprehensive girls.

“We can…do this! I can do this!”, squeaked a girl who proceeded to lower her petite body into the

narrow space between Mary and another competitor.

Mary spared a sideways glance then resumed her blank stare at empty space. She was pretty too.

“You look quite…. un-energized”, the girl started staring right at her, her head tilted and brow raised.

“I’m fine…” Mary responded slowly her voice barely audible above the chattering of the other students.

“You don’t look it”, the girl continued. She reached into her pocket and retrieved a shiny pink mirror and began fixing her non-existent makeup, and her already perfect collar.

“I’m just a bit frustrated”, started Mary letting out a short laugh, “I can see why some of us are here….but…some I just… don’t… understand.”

Mary stressed the last three words her eyes fixed on Esther. Esther, who was talking to one of the other girls animatedly, turned to face Mary.

“What do you mean by that Mary??” she asked her forehead creased and her voice icy.

“I mean…” Mary got to her feet walked toward Esther stopping an inch from her face, “You don’t deserve to be here… You are a cheater”. She said, fuming and punctuating every syllable with a poke of Esther’s chest using her index finger.

Esther stepped back brushing Mary’s hand aside.

“Really Mary!” asked Esther, her eyes filled with disbelief, “You are such a…. such a …. Child! God!”

“Me? A child!!” Mary stated, sneering. Her pitch heightened, “At least I don’t cheat!” The other girls were now listening to them.

“You know what”, Esther said moving in on Mary and staring her down, “Grow. …UP”. She said it slowly and deliberately.

Mary started to retort but just then, The JV committee consisting of seniors and the Patrons arrived. She held her tongue as everyone stood up and gathered around.

They were imposing. A deafening silence overtook them.

The slender, fair skinned girl stepped forward. Her demeanor was imposing. In her hand she held a sheaf of papers.

“As the chairlady, I would like to congratulate all of you for making it this far. However, the battle is still on, so, if you seriously want to join us and become an elite in Sifa High, ace this final technical audition.” She paused and looked around. “If you, I guarantee that as a member of JV club you WILL become an Elite in SIFA high school and the envy of all other girls. We will make the rest of stay here, a dream come true…” she concluded with a smile as her audience burst out in applause.

The academic patron stepped forward, “I can feel your excitement in my bones”, she said laughing.

She had a motherly appeal, thought Mary.

The applause died down.

“I shall explain to you, the details of your final test. You have been divided into 5 groups of 4 each…”

Murmurs filled the air at her revelation.

“What is this?”

“Why are we being grouped like this? I don’t want people pulling me down”

“Oh Crap, I hope they don’t put me with her.”

“Hush!” said the Chairlady Firmly. The crowd fell silent.

“All four members from the best group will be automatically enlisted.” Continued the Patron, “The second group will get two automatic enlistments and the third best group will get one. “

She paused for effect. “There will be no automatic enlistment for the Last two groups…” she concluded and stepped back.

Mary looked around at the others. Their faces were ashen. They too were shocked! She had done her research and this had never happened before. JV was never about group work.

“Don’t look so petrified” said the farm manager, breaking the silence. He stepped forward smiling.

“For the unselected Nine members, you will have an opportunity to fill the remaining three slots based on your individual strengths.”

As always, only 10 of you will make it in the end.”

A collective sigh went out.

They were dispersed.

****

“I can’t believe I’m in the same group with you…” Mary started. Esther rolled her eyes.

“I’m Becky”, one of their team members stretched out her hand to Mary then to Esther, “This is Anna”

Esther smiled at her, “I’m Esther”

“Mary…” Mary said.

“So. Now that we know each other, how bout we set a date to brainstorm”, Becky started. Her eyes moved from Mary to Esther whose bodies angled away from each other. Anna stood detached from the rest her eyes on the ground, “Come on guys…. We cannot let our personal differences affect this project. I don’t know about you guys but I’m here to win.”

Mary smiled and moved to Becky’s side wrapping her right hand across her shoulder, “I think you and I can get along.”

“I’ll take that to mean all of us can get along…” Becky said. Anna giggled and Esther smiled.

“How about at 9 pm….my cubicle…” Anna volunteered. They all turned to face her. She looked away.

“Will your roomie be okay with that?” Esther asked.

“I kinda…stay alone. So…” she scratcher her head with a coy smile plastered on her face.

“Ok Then” said Anna.

They parted ways.

****

“We lost….” Esther’s voice trailed off as she fought off tears, “I’m so… sorry”

Contestants from all but the winning team were gathered outside one of the senior classrooms. There was a group already in for assessment.

Mary’s team was seated nearest the entrance.

Mary frowned, “It’s you who chose to handle that section of the business plan. You’re the one who decided to handle the making of the samples as well as the acquiring of permissions from the school departments by yourself. You cost us because you were too greedy for attention…”

Becky took deep breaths her eyes downcast and her face black with sadness, “If you had helped her as I requested we would have finished the work Mary. Don’t act like you…”

“At least we were number three. That is pretty good. And our idea of using the club as a conduit for distribution of goods made by students as well as providing monthly services from outside the school to the students was the best idea… “Anna interrupted with a smile though her eyes were dull.

The second-best group walked out of the class that now seemed more like an interrogation room. You could tell the enlisted from those who weren’t. Two of them stood tall with their eyes gleaming with joy and their lips curved in radiant smiles. The other two had their heads bowed and their eyes down cast.

“Group three…” said a senior who stood at the doorstep her eyes skimming the group of students.

“Here…” Becky was on her feet. She turned to face them smiling, “Come on guys. We’re up.”