Chapter Text
Force Majeure
Chapter 1 – Beautiful Morning
Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a beautiful day. I've got this wonderful feeling, everything's going my way.
– Oscar Hammerstein II
Thursday, 6:45 AM
Oh, Cary you've got to be kidding me, is all I can think as I hear him explain the situation.
"Look. I wouldn't ask you this if I didn't have to."
"Well, how sick are you?" I ask, while trying to pour myself a glass of orange juice with one hand, juggling my phone in the other.
"Let's just say I spend more time in the bathroom than in bed," Cary answers. His voice is raspy and muted. He does sound sick. "
Ok. That's enough information. I get it," I reply and hurry back to my bedroom to gather my stuff. "But can't we ask one of the associates?" I catch my reflection in the mirror. God, I'm not even wearing any makeup yet.
"Alicia… They don't stand a chance against David Lee. You know that. We can't afford to make any mistakes."
I sit down on my bed and put on my shoes. "Yes, I know. But do you really think I am the best candidate to do Lockhart/Gardner?"
"No one from our firm is. Look, I don't know what happened that night of the class action between you and Will, but you'll just have to get over it. You can't avoid going there forever." I do know what happened that night of the class action, I think to myself. But we had decided to never talk about that again. Either way, Cary's right. I grab my laptop and charger and walk back to the kitchen.
"I know," I finally reply. "So, what's her name again?" I manage to get my laptop in my bag with one hand.
"Sandra Dilaney. You met her. Jenna will fill you in on the details."
"OK, I'll call her." I answer. I grab a pen and paper to jot down her name, but when I do my elbow pushes against something. I look up but I'm too late. The glass tips over the counter. With a loud bang, the glass hits the kitchen tiles and snaps into pieces. The orange juice streams over the kitchen tiles. "Shit," I mutter.
"You ok?" I hear Cary through my phone.
"Yeah…" I say as I observe the mess. "I'm fine. I call you when we're done."
"Ok. Talk to you later."
Orange juice everywhere. I glance at my watch. I'm already late. Great. Just… great.
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