Mrs. Wintergreen looked very much like the contemporary businesswoman with her black leather briefcase, smartly tailored navy blue jacket and skirt, and black stockings. At first glance, the tall and slim brunette had an almost severe look about her. But on closer inspection, the quite attractive forty-one-year-old had a certain twinkle in her eye.
She took being in charge of a large number of staff at her productive corporate finance company in her stride and approached the position with a no-nonsense attitude. She had created herself over time and prided herself in the fact that she did not suffer fools gladly. She was even going as far as meting out corporal treatment to receive respect and high standards.
"You want me to do what? No. I simply refuse."
A week before this day, Marian had received a call from the company CEO, Jeremy Bates, and his request left her deeply unmoved.
"You are the perfect choice to introduce the new scheme Marian, and I won't take no for an answer."
"Jeremy, when I see you next I'm going to tan your hide. You see if I don't."
"Promises, promises. Your place or mine?"
"Bastard!"
The board of governors had apparently dreamed up a plan for getting young people back into work rather than have thousands of potential earners remaining idle and wasted. Bates had thought that Marian could kick start the programme and meet and greet some of the more challenged candidates. Those in South London for example.
"You're telling me that these...youths...are rehabilitated offenders?"
"Correct. But understand that these students want to learn and earn. They want to improve themselves. Although the main reason I have chosen you Marian is that this group can show off a bit. Act a little unrestrained if you will. Your 'type' of tutoring should ensure the group behaves."
"I see."
"There is security on the premises if you so wish to summon if things kick off badly."
"You're not making much of a sales pitch here, Jeremy. Maybe you need some of my special guidance to beat some sense into you."
"I'll make a note in my diary for a future date. And one more thing. Might I suggest you dress a little sedate? Don't show too much flesh."
"I can do sedate. Not my cup of tea, but understood."
It was therefore arranged that the introductory class would take place one afternoon after she had finished her regular work day.
x
In her new role of advisor and consultant, Marian decided to give off a prim and proper look. She chose to wear a sombre single-breasted, slim-fit blazer that nipped in at the waist. Her tailored skirt cut to a pencil silhouette and fell just above the knee.
"Maybe some spectacles? No. Too sedate."
She took the Underground train from Monument to London Bridge and walked the fairly short distance to Manor Building in Shard Place, next to the iconic new City skyscraper that resembled a broken shard of glass poking up to the sky. Upon entering the new building, Marian took the first set of stairs to the next level. She found room 1C and tried the door with the frosted glass window. It was as if she were in a school without dozens of children running this way and that as she paused for thought. Memories of her time as a teacher in an all-girls finishing school came flooding back.
"Here."
Using the provided key to unlock the door to the makeshift classroom she flipped on the light switch and entered. White fluorescent lights illuminated the room and she glanced around to see one long desk in front of a whiteboard and five rows of smaller desks and chairs. Marian deposited her tablet, notebook, and her handbag on the desk and made herself comfortable. She patted her bag in the knowledge that her trusted crop was therein. As she sat patiently she became frustrated when twenty minutes had elapsed and nobody showed. She drummed the desk with newly manicured nails impatiently as she repeatedly checked the wall clock. As she almost gave up hope the door opened slowly and a shy black man peered around it.
"Is...is this the right room for the training session?"
He spoke in almost a whisper and Marian had to perk her ears up to make him out.
"I'm sorry. Do come in, please. What's your name?"
"Keith."
As he came through the door he seemed to grow as he stood up to his full height of about six feet and a bit. She looked on with a certain curiosity as she watched the cute guy with perfect dark skin and big brown eyes. She came back down to earth quickly and closed her mouth with a snap and gave him her best smile.
"In here guys."
In Keith's wake came four more black men, all of them tall, robust, and sullen-looking. They all appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen and dressed in oversized shirts, cargo pants, or jeans. One of them had that odd fashion of having his jeans cut low so that he showed more than half of his boxers and bum cleavage. None of them seemed like they might be remotely interested in what she would say, but hey-ho.
"Well, gentlemen. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mrs. Wintergreen and I am here this evening to tell you what our aim is. My company offers a reliable pipeline of skilled talent, from diverse cultural and gender backgrounds, who are ready to add value to our team. And, we support HR teams throughout the hiring process, saving them time and money. Sometimes there just aren't enough qualified candidates for the jobs you need to fill."
Marian paused and tried to read the five new faces.
"We offer a reliable pipeline of talent that's ready quickly since our boot camp style programs last a matter of weeks. Our selection process and training ensure that all our candidates understand the role and are committed to building their careers in the sector. Our training provides intensive practice in the most important skills for the job and 85% of our employers say our candidates perform as well or better than their peers. When new hires start, we will provide practical training and methodology to ensure our graduates can perform from day one on the job. Any questions so far?"
"Yeah," piped up one of the group wearing sunglasses.
"And what is your name my good fellow?"
"Rupert. Why ain't there no girls in this class?"
"Ah. I'm not sure. Good question though. Very astute. Keith? Why not tell me your other friends' names."
"This here is Frank, and next to him is Tony. The big guy down the end is my man Lenny."
