ALEXIA SMITH<br/><br/>I hurried downstairs, smoothing my knee-length white skirt as I went. To be disorganized today of all days! I expected Carstairs had things well in hand, but I had hoped to be ready before our prospects arrived...<br/>Pausing in front of the hall mirror for a final check of my appearance, I adjusted my sky-blue blouse, gave my reflection a smile and strode off down the hall toward the front door.<br/><br/>I could see Carstairs standing at the door and a girl next to him, already in maids' attire. She looked quite nice, with her long black hair against the blue-and-white of the uniform.  I couldn't see who Carstairs was speaking to; perhaps another job-seeker?<br/><br/>"Ah, Carstairs!" I said upon reaching him, glancing from the black-haired girl then over his shoulder to the one at the door (it seemed my earlier assumption was right). "I see you've been kept busy. Who do we have here?"