Early morning light slipped through curtains of a small, tidy room.Lighting a young sleeping face, with a faint dusting of freckles rested across the bridge of her nose and the tops of her cheeks. Her hair fell in loose, warm waves, a shade between brown and gold that seemed to shift with the light.
Joan opened her eyes, with her stomach pressed against her back with hanger. She checked her watch and it was seven in the morning. She slept for a full twelve hours. Well that's not surprising, as yesterday was hectic and overwhelming.After stretching for a few minutes, Joan got up . She yawns as she puts on her robe and takes her toothbrush and face wash. Getting out of her room and heading to the bath down the hall, she had not gone the day before as it was busy.after brushing her teeth and freshening up and as soon as she headed out of her bath she bumped into a woman the same age as her , they greeted each other and went their way. Returning to her room, Joan locked the door and changed into the same green skirt as yesterday with a different top, she didn't have another choice as she didn't have another outfit that suits today's trends. Tidying her hair and putting on her hat and gloves, Joan descended to the reception after locking her door.
"Good morning,miss Joan"
"Good morning, Mary" Joan gave her keys.
The streets were already awake, though not yet crowded—carriages moving steadily, a few early workers passing by, and the faint smell of smoke lingering in the air.
It was the kind of morning that felt still, but only for a moment, before the city fully came to life.
She headed to the same cart she bought the sandwich from yesterday,as the cart was cleaner and tidier than the rest . She greeted the owner and ordered an egg sandwich and a cup of coffee.
"That would be seven cents"
"Here you go"
Joan took a stool from the cart's side and sat down to eat .
Today was Saturday, a new day of a new week. Only ten days left of the last month of 1913.
First, she needed to solve her survival issue—an income and a stable place to stay. Renting or boarding houses were out of the question; they were far beyond her budget. Even if she got a job, there was a chance she wouldn't be paid until the end of the first month—if she was paid at all, since nurse trainees often weren't.
Even if she told them she had graduated, she had nothing to prove it. At least there was a chance she would get boarding and meals if she was accepted.
After finishing her breakfast, Joan asked for directions to Bellevue hospital.She chose this hospital because it is a legend that kept standing for nearly three centuries.
She wants to be more thrifty until she finds a stable job,it also inclined with her morning walk, so she walked for 25 minutes to get there .She was a little thirsty,she should have got water instead of coffee.
Inside Bellevue Hospital, the air smelled of antiseptic and something harder to ignore. Rows of iron beds stretched across the ward, nurses moving quickly between them, their steps echoing against worn floors. There was little privacy, little rest—only the quiet, constant presence of illness.
"Good morning, I would like to work as a nurse, who should I talk to "Joan talking to a blond woman in her early thirties
"Good day , wait over there the head nurse will finish her rounds any minute,she is the one who interview new trainees" Elizabeth said
"Okay, thank you "
Joan sat in an empty chair in the lounge and waited.
"Beth don't forget to change miss Dorothy clothes after you finish changing Mr James dressing,she becomes grumpy if she is made to wait too long"
" Good morning Elizabeth, anything new "
"No ,Mrs Clark , last night was quite, thank god, but doctor George asked to postpone his morning surgery to the afternoon "Elizabeth replied
"I see…. Keep going, " Mrs Clarke said, preparing to reassume her business.
"Oh my, I forgot , wait a minute Mrs Clarke, this young lady here is waiting to be interviewed as a nurse trainee"Elizabeth pointed to Joan sitting not far away.