"Damn it!" Nancy screamed as she grabbed the burning egg from the stove.  "Not today, please not today."  Nancy accepted a position as an assistant to hip hop's most powerful man, Robert Phillips, of Phillips Records.  He was notorious for the way he treated his employees.  This is why Nancy's position was open in the first place.  His pet peeves: lying, stealing, and Tardiness and Nancy was about to be tardy.   She grabbed a slice of dry toast and sprinted out the door.  Speeding down 85 south she had to be at Doraville Station in fifteen minutes in order to catch the train that would have her downtown by 9a.m.  She cursed as she remembered the MP3 player she left in her gym bag. Now she had to listen to the tracks all the way downtown.   Nancy parked the car and bolted for the train she seen sitting above on the tracks and made it through the doors just as they closed.  She made herself comfortable in a corner seat through out the contents of her purse and began freshening up to mask any smells that may emerge due to her early morning sprint.

She made it to the office with her portfolio in hand with ten minutes to spare.  Nancy had never met Robert Phillips before and her nerves started to get the best of her as the time ticked.  She searched for a handkerchief to dry her hands.  Nine fifteen clicked on the clock; Nancy searched for her offer letter and read the instructions to see if she was at the right location in the building.  "Yes, the main lobby at nine a.m."  She looked at her watch; it read nine twenty. "Where is this person?"  She wandered as she searched the faces of the strangers around her to see if anyone seemed to be looking for her.  As nine thirty hit, she thought of the egg she could have still fried if she'd known the administrative assistant wasn't going to show up.

Meanwhile...

Karen sat in her office reading over this month's Cosmo.  ‘Hairstyles that Drive Your Man Wild' she was interrupted by a bang on her office door.  She quickly threw the magazine in her drawer "Come in."

In walked Robert Phillips.  Dressed in a three piece suit, a gold chain dangled around his neck and the cross hit squarely below the knot of his tie.  "Morning, Karen."

"Good morning, Mr. Phillips. How are you?"  She said standing. 

"Noticed that I left off the ‘Good' Karen?  At exactly eight fifty a.m. I walked through my lobby and in walked the most beautiful, well-dressed woman I've ever seen.  She had her handbag on her shoulder; you know what that tells me?"

"Umm...no sir, I don't." Karen said nervously not knowing where the conversation was going.

"That tells me she's a lady, because a lady never leaves home without her purse.  Then I saw her briefcase, know what that tells me?"

"No sir." Nancy said clearing her throat.

"That she is serious about her business and ready to work.  She also has a lunch bag, which tells me not only will she be to and from lunch on time.  She may just continue working through lunch as long as it's on her desk."

Karen stared at Robert trying to figure out his point.  Did he want her to dress like that and skip lunch?  That's out of the question that was her personal time.  "See Karen a woman like that knows the importance of work.  She values time and overtime.  She values her appearance."  Robert continued as he ran his hands around Karen's collar with a disgusted look on his face.

"It's my make-up sir, it sometimes-."  Karen tried to explain, Robert continued cutting her off.

"She also makes sure to make it on time for her appointments even if she had to skip breakfast and her morning dose of Cosmo."  Karen blushed at the thought of her boss watching her at her leisure time.  Something jumped at her from within that statement; ‘appointment.'

"Oh my God, Mr. Phillips, I'm so sorry.  I don't know how that slipped my mind I'll go get her!"

"No need to Karen. No need to rush.  After sitting at my desk and seeing nine-twenty hit the clock and my new assistant still hadn't shown; I went back downstairs to see if that woman was still there.  I wanted to know in which one of my offices.  She'd be working and if she'd take the place of my missing assistant.  So I met her just to find out if she'd take my offer and guess what?  She already accepted my offer, two weeks ago!  She was waiting for Karen Hogan; my late administrative assistant. I understand Karen there are more important things going on in your life such as..." He walked around the desk and pulled out ht magazine, "'Sex That Will Blow His Mind.' Wow Karen, first you need a ‘his' to make that work!  So I asked this young lady if she has a resume on hand, and like any prepared professional she pulls one out right out of her leather portfolio.  Right there Karen, leather, she has style.  Guess what? Come on, play along." Robert egged the teary eyed Karen to answer.

"What sir?" Karen said her voice breaking.

"She qualifies for your position."   Robert walks out the office and charges back in guiding Nancy by her shoulders.  "Get up Karen." Robert ordered and he guided Nancy to the empty chair behind the desk.  "Congratulations Nancy, you've just been promoted to Administrative Assistant and you've only been here forty five minutes. Your future here is promising.  Brief her on her duties Karen and move your things to the desk in the hallway." Robert exited and stopped in his tracks half way out the door.  "Karen you train her and note, any screw-ups she makes during her probation, you'll be held responsible.   Good jobs are hard to find nowadays. You ladies have a productive day."  The door slamming behind Robert sounded like thunder, as he left the two women. 

Nancy stood there dumbfounded and uncomfortable.  She laid her bags down on the floor and looked around her new office.  She couldn't believe it. Forty five minutes into the job and she was promoted.  Excitement filled her as she continued to look around. She looked at the ceiling to floor window that took up the whole wall that behind her desk, it had a beautiful view of downtown Atlanta.  The wall to the right of her was filled with a bookshelf with tons of books on the industry, Mr. Phillips biography and the biography of many of his artists that passed through his company.  Nancy continued to peruse the office until her eyes met back at Karen who was taking her things and throwing them into a file box.  Nancy felt she should say something, but couldn't.  What could she say; this woman got demoted and replaced in a few minutes?  There was nothing she could say that wouldn't stir up an argument or animosity.

"Don't get too comfortable."  Karen said as she took down her photos and certificates.

"Excuse me?" Nancy asked.

"You heard me.  You think you're the first one he's done it to?  How do you think I got the position?  You're just the next trophy chick, just a face to look good when paparazzi catches him out and about with his new ‘mystery woman.'"

Nancy stared at her for a few moments, "How long have you had this position?"

"I've had that position for almost three years now; why?"

"So that means I can get comfortable.   Trust me it will be a long time before anyone replaces me.  We both know each other's name by now let's get skip the formalities.  Now, its ten thirty.  Mr. Phillips has already lost a lot of precious time. Now where is his planner? What is the first order of business how does he start his day?"  Nancy asked as she picked up her briefcase and threw her lunch and handbag in the drawer that Karen just emptied. 

Karen stared at Nancy unpacking her briefcase.  Her chest heated as she watched her smoothly getting together with no qualms about what just happened.  She was really disappointed about losing her position, but also relieved that the late nights, and last minute travels were finally over with.  Her life can be normal once again. 

"His planner is in the right hand drawer.  I'll be unpacking my things,  I'll be back in a moment in the meanwhile you can go into Mr. Phillips office and take daily notes of what needs to be done.  Mondays will be the easy days around here. We do not schedule a lot of meetings or events on Monday, because Mr. Phillips believes that stressful Mondays are bad business."  With that Karen grabbed her things and exited the room.  Nancy picked up her portfolio, and Mr. Phillips' planner then made her way to his office. 

Nancy gently knocked on the door then peeked in.  Robert was on the phone, and judging from the conversation it was not a business call.  Nancy held up one hand to indicate she will be back later, but Robert waved her in.  "Yeah girl, you do that for me, you know what I like. I'll be by later."  With that he hung up the phone and leaned back in his huge leather chair staring at Nancy who was looking around amazed at the size of his office.  It was almost as big as her apartment, maybe bigger.   A large plush couch and love seat sat over in the corner by the bookcase.  Along the wall he had many trophies and platinum records displayed.  His career was long and judging by all the awards and recognition very successful.  Nancy eyes kept wandering and she then felt Robert staring at her.  She turned back to him and his eyes were traveling up her long shapely legs and over her hips and settled squarely on her bust.  She cleared her throat to take him out of his lustful trance. 

"Sorry to interrupt sir, but the day has started well over a couple hours now and I thought we should begin by listing what you need done today."  Nancy said as she took the seat in front of his desk and pulled out her portfolio to begin taking notes. 

"I like this you came in and started pushing to get things done.  Usually my assistant comes in and sits there like a deer in headlights, waiting for me to spit orders."

"I'm sorry sir if I came across-"

"No, no don't apologize. I like that.  You're taking my thoughts and organizing it.  So where is it that you would like to begin?" Nancy noticed that Robert was flirting. He was a major player and Nancy knew it. Too bad for Robert she doesn't play where her money is made. 

Nancy cleared her throat. "Well, Karen was just telling me that your Mondays are slow.  I thought it would be a great day for us to go over this week and schedule accordingly.  That way I can make a full plan of your week and see what I can get done in advance.  That way everything will be in place for one task just in case something unexpected pops up.   Unless you have a routine that you're used to and we can go with that."

"No no, I like this.  Karen usually works on a day to day basis.  If something pops up she would get flustered. I would always have to cool her down you know?" Robert said with a wink.  Nancy understood that look and wanted to tell him off and let him know he will not be getting the same "treatment" from her.  She's been there with a boss in the past and wasn't going to get caught up in that mess.  Nancy bit her tongue and pulled out Robert's planner and began to go over the week day by day and making notes on what could be done before hand. 

The day went by fast as Nancy got used to her new position.  She had Roberts schedule planned out in detail.  From the hour they will build the guest list for the event coming up in two months to the two hours he will have lunch with an acquaintance. 

She was finally at home and relaxing in her pajamas with a glass of red wine.  Nancy lived in a one bedroom apartment with her cat, Tiffany, who jumped onto her lap and made her way to her neck.  She turned off the television and laid back and took a deep breath.  As she felt herself giving into sleep her company issued blackberry rang.  "Hello?"

"Hey Nancy sorry to wake you, I need you to come by my loft."  Robert voice came through the phone.  Nancy looked up at the clock.

"Sir, it's eleven pm."

"I know what time it is.  Do you listen to rap?"

"Yes sir, but-"

"Well as my assistant your opinion and time is important to me, now get your behind over here!"  With that said Robert slammed down the phone.  Nancy took a deep breath and slid the phone back into her purse that lay on the coffee table. 

"Tiffany, what did I get into?"  Nancy said as she walked to her bedroom to get dressed.  "Something tells me it's going to be a long night."

Nancy arrived at Robert's home and rang the door bell.  A guy in an ‘A' hat answered the door.  "You, Nancy?" He asked.  Nancy took the time to look him over.  He was tall and very slim and stood there with a cigar in his mouth.

"Yes I'm Nancy." 

"Come on in, he's downstairs in the studio.  Working with an artist."

"Really, at this time of the night?"

"Yeah woman, music doesn't sleep.  And when you have a love for music, you stay up with her.  Get used to being up late.  When he conducts business his assistants are always there. That way you ‘stay in the loop.'" He chuckled as he saw the pleasant expression escape Nancy's face.  They continued toward the door that led to the studio, Nancy could hear the music spilling out of the room.  She walked in and noticed that there was an artist recording in the booth.  She took out her portfolio and made herself comfortable in the chair on the corner.  The artist in the booth was performing his rhymes and he noticed Nancy sitting chair.  He lost his train of thought while he watched her pull her back into a ponytail.

"What are you doing man?"  Robert yelled.

"My bad,  I don't know what happened.  I pick it up where it dropped."

"Look if one person could come in here and distract you; do you think you can handle thousands of people?  Get it together! My times important to me! My time cost money, you got me?"

"Yes sir, I got you.  My bad."  He turned and looked at Nancy one more time.  Nancy looked back and their eyes were locked for a few moments that felt like eternity for her.

"Nancy you made it!" Robert said breaking the connection.  "Nice that you can join us.  This will give you a look into what I do to keep the empire I have to keep going."

"I fully understand sir."  Nancy said hiding the annoyance she was feeling. 

"Good, good.  This talented young man in the booth is Darren Young.  Darren is rap artist I've been working with to launch his career.  He's the one most of the promotions and parties we'll be working on in the next few months.  He's a good guy, just got to learn to keep his eyes in his head and his mind on the music. Right Young?"

"I hear you, man."  He said obviously embarrassed.  Nancy was annoyed with Roberts power wielding.  Robert stared at her for a few moments and with the look on his face Nancy knew that she was now the property of Phillips Records.