#55 - The Second Bird

You never get a second chance at a first impression. This was mine for the Law.

I'm a uni studuent with a 2-week clerkship at a law firm, a mid-tier commercial firm with some really talented lawyers offering to take me under their wing.

I start 9AM Monday, so I arrive at Reception at 8.45. The firm occupies 2 floors of a skyscraper - the bottom floor has the Reception area and the top floor is offices.

The General Manager comes out to greet me. My supervising solicitor ('Stanley') is at mediation, so I get stuck into my work.

At around 4PM, Stanley returns. I decide to drop by his office, to say hi and thank him having me at the firm.

I knock on his door and enter. He looks up. Before I get a word out he asks:

"Alan. What happened to the Second Bird?"

I freeze. Did I hear that right?

"I-I'm sorry?"

"What happened to the Second Bird!?"

I wasn't expecting a riddle.

"I'm afraid I don't follow."

"He misses out. He comes late and he misses out."

Was I late for something? I was at the office early today.

"I was here at 8.45 this morn-"

"Well I needed you before 8.45. Go see Vincent next door and ask him what time to be here tomorrow."

I introduce myself to Vincent. He tells me to be downstairs tomorrow at 8.30AM.

So I wake up extra early. At 8.20 I'm downstairs at reception, ready to go. No one's here.

8.25. 8.28. Still no one here.

At 8.30, Stanley's secretary sees me.

"Alan! Does Stanley know you're here?"

"No, but I was told downstairs at 8.30."

"You better get upstairs quickly.."

I rush upstairs. It's probably 8.31. Stanley and Vincent are standing by Stanley's office. Stanley spots me and his eyes are like a hawk.

I walk over but Stanley's already met me by the open-plan desks. He says loud enough for everyone in the office to hear:

"This is for everyone. When I say to meet me - it's IN MY FUCKING OFFICE!"

The office is silent. You could hear a pin drop (but I only heard jaws drop). He goes on:

"If you're a minute late to anything again, you're fired, you hear me?"

I look at Vincent. Lawyers advocate for the downtrodden all the time. Will Vincent mention that I'm only late because he gave me the wrong location?

Of course not. He stares at his feet. And as we walk to the day's mediation, Stanley keeps me at his side and reminds me that it's an honour and a privilege to be here.

The mediation is a blur. But the first impression that left is vivid.

Next week: Supporting Australia

P.S. - The names of the people have been changed

P.P.S. - The rest of the story, sadly, is all too real