THE BIG CHANCE Part I

It is an anecdote that happened 47 years ago…but,

 really I do not if it could be continues in and office live, by now.

Bill Hargrave wasn't the kind to pick a secretary by the color of her hair. Both, Paula and Nancy had been smart enough to know that.

And for some time everyone in the office had known that one of them, Paula or Nancy, was going to get the job. 

In fact, the decision would probably be made this afternoon.

-Hargrave was leaving town and wanted to settle the matter before he left.

The two girls could see him from their desks outside his office.

Maybe it was only some correspondence that he was looking at with cool, keen eyes.

But for a moment his finger seemed to pause above those efficient little pushbuttons.  If he pressed the left one, it would be Paula's pulse which would begin to beat faster.

Paula couldn't keep her eyes off that light on her desk. 

She kept making mistakes in her typing and nervously taking the sheets of paper out in order to star all over again.

She leaned across her typewriter and said to Nancy, "The boss is all dressed up today.  He must be going on a special trip."

She was just talking to relieve her nervousness.

Nancy took her time about answering.  She wasn't used to having Paula talk to her in such an intimate tone.  Not since they'd learned a month ago that they were both in line for a promotion, for the important job as Bill Hargrave's secretary.

"He does look nice."…