Pantser Writing Scrap (Cleaning)
Everyone in Barrow Brook knew the Goldsteins were the richest family in town. Money aside, the Goldsteins were also the loudest, snobbiest, and most careless family in town. Natasha, the new maid, knew how quickly the Goldsteins went through their maids and how they liked to ‘test’ the new ones. Yet it still came as a shock to her when the wrung out butler opened the door to a garbage dump layered in several sheets of dust. The butler muttered, “The 3rd guest’s suite. To be dusted. Cleared. And prepared. For Mr. Derrick’s arrival.”
Natasha gawked at the unholy mess of the room. “You’re joking?” She clutched her small dust rag and sole bottle of polishing spray.
The butler turned slowly to her, “My sense of humor evaporated a long time ago, girl”, he rubbed his paper white temples. “Precisely when my hair turned white during my first day on the job.”
She stared in disbelief at him. He stared back at her with glassy, indifferent eyes.
He wheezed, “You have until this afternoon to complete this test. Usually they pose a more difficult challenge to new maids. You’re lucky the Goldsteins decided to take a day trip to the seaside instead of,” he took a pause, “encouraging you in this task.”
Natasha shook the cleaning spray in her hand. “Can I at least fetch more supplies from the broom closet?”
The butler gave a rehearsed reply, “The master of the house does not wish spend his hard earned money on unnecessary cleaning supplies when so many maids disappoint in their duties.”
He gave Natasha a skeptical look, “I’ll leave you to it then,” and he shuffled away.