12/01/2014
The tarmac crunched beneath my feet, each step breaking the thin film of frost which lay upon it. It wasn’t unusual for there to be snow in January, but even so, the City felt cold. As I walked, I became aware of someone watching me, matching my every step from the other side of the road. I stopped, lighting up a cigarette, and my shadow made an excellent diversion, stopping for a newspaper. I shook my head. I was probably just paranoid.
Up ahead, I saw the bridge I had been instructed to find, and I pulled out my cell phone to ring my contact. After just two rings, I was connected
”You found us okay then?” I heard the voice twice. Once in my ear, the other, from the man with the newspaper across the road. As he turned, I realised that what I thought was a potential criminal was, in fact, a well dressed businessman, wearing a hooded jumper as protection from the biting cold. As he crossed the road, a sleek, black car pulled up alongside me, and I was gestured into the back seat.
”So, Mr. Young; how does it feel to be away from Seattle?”
”Well, It’s not a massive deal, to be honest. My family still haven’t noticed…”
”Families, Eh? Who’d have em”
The rest of the journey was spent in silence, and with the windows blacked out, I had no view of where we were going. All I knew was that this man had torn me away from my cozy job in the sun of Seattle, coaching high-school kids on the right way to play soccer.
Eventually, the car pulled to a stop, and the door was opened. Above me, the Commodore Barry bridge stretched across the Delaware River. The view was absolutely breathtaking, and I had to stop for a moment to take it all in.
As we stepped inside, I was awestruck. If this was to be my new office, I’d take any offer I could get!
Welcome To Philadelphia Union, Mr Young.
