This time, with feeling.....

I am a woman on a mission. I am not leaving the JC this time without an SL2JP form. This 'golden ticket' will get me a referral to a specialist placement agency that can give me practical support, plus potentially take me on their books as a candidate. The 20 minute phone call I had with the manager of the agency filled me with hope, but the elusive SL2JP form was the essential next step. "The JC should refer you, ask them for the form." I can do that.

I sit across the desk from Cindy, and having gone through the usual "How's the job search going?" routine, I address her ever prominent ear and ask for the form. There is a pause. "What's that?" she asks. I actually get eye contact for a fleeting second. I explain the purpose of the form and how I was reassured she would know all about it.

Apparently not. She leans over to the next desk and asks Mr Pony Tail if he knows about the form. Frantic conferring. He doesn't know either. They even call across to Man Mountain (on door-step duty) but he doesn't know. (Note to self: Must find out what his role is). Mr P-T then suggests "Simon might know." Simon* must be terribly important, because they lower their voices to a reverential hush when they say his name. Cindy sighs, pushes back her chair, and most reluctantly swings her way upstairs to the Mysterious First Floor. I sit and wait. And wait. There is a lull in human traffic coming through the door and Man Mountain calls across to me "Are you the one making trouble?" He did it with his wolfish smile, so I take it in good spirit and try not to look nervous as I nod.

Eventually, Cindy swings back down, empty handed, but says she knows what the form is (in a tone that suggested she knew all along) and said it would be processed, as requested. Great! I am told the referral was on Simon's desk, would be forwarded directly and the agency would contact me to arrange my appointment.

I stride from the JC, feeling I have achieved, well, something.

I have re-named Cindy. She is hitherto referred to as Eva. As in, Braun. It suits her.

*Name has been changed