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doing, or anything for that matter.  I’ve always been good at distancing myself from problems, being able to relax and put worries aside, knowing everything would turn out well in the end. Perhaps too good, now that I think about it, because this time I’m in real trouble. After half a year of sitting around at home having fun, telling myself everyday that I’d look for a job, I’d get a job, it wouldn’t be that hard, it wasn’t that urgent, I could just do something else first…my parents got fed up.
    Oh, they tried to act like they were doing it for my “own good”. Like they weren’t kicking me out and leaving me with nothing – they’d rented a place for me for a whole month, so kind, a lovely little hole in the ground featuring decorations of mould and a few cockroaches to keep me company. It would only be temporary, of course, they just thought I should have my own place, space of my own, and when I got a job I could always move to a nicer place. I would have appreciated them at least being honest about it all, instead of trying to protect themselves from the guilt of leaving their only daughter alone in the world.
    But I knew it would work out, it would be fine, with or without their help.  I had a whole month to find a job, and it couldn’t be that hard, could it? I did go to a few shops, ask around a bit – I tried, but for some reason it didn’t really work, and I went back resolving to think about the best way to approach this. I did a lot of thinking. And somehow, the time just disappeared – it’s almost the end of the month now and I have no leads, no clue what I’m going to do, my money is almost gone, no way to pay rent…but I won’t panic.  There’s nothing to panic about, I’ll work it out.
    That is, I’ll be honest, why I’m resorting to this somewhat crazy endeavour. I have to have something by this time next week, or I’ll be homeless and although I’m sure I could get out of almost any situation, it will probably be a lot more daunting if I don’t have anywhere to come back to, if I end up homeless and can’t wash or eat or…Calm down!  You’ll be ok.  You just have to convince this guy that you have plenty of experience and you’ll make a great maid.  You can do that. Even if the guy sounds scary as anything.
     
    Service Required!
    Efficient and obedient housekeeper needed
    Challenging work & High standards
    Willingness to adjust to my preferences essential
    Generous wage, Food & Board included
     
    I’ve always been a bit wary of replying to random ads in the newspaper, and this guy seemed to be trying to make it intimidating. But then by this point I don’t have much choice, and the offer of wage, food and board – solving all my problems in one – is too good for me to resist.
    I glance at my watch and continue on into the nicer part of town, alleys widening into decent sized roads and the rush of pedestrians lessening as I enter a more residential area. Thankfully, I have plenty of time, but since I still don’t know where exactly this house is I don’t want to dawdle. I know I need to make a good impression.
    I’m not naïve or stupid, I do know just how much of a long shot it is, and I know how much trouble I’m in. I’m determined to get it right this time, though. I’ve just gone through life with the mindset that everything will turn out OK and that overly worrying just creates stress for no need – and I’ve been right…at least I was right for most of it. Maybe that’s not so true now.
    It’s not that I’m lazy exactly; it’s just that I’ve been thoroughly uninspired. I can’t really see the point to most things, which makes it pretty hard to get the self-discipline to follow through with them. But at the very least I have the basic survival motivation now.
    Trying not to sigh or think about what will happen if I don’t get this job, I look around as I cross the street and try to get my bearings. The houses around here have become