Molly's Muse Pt. 01

Authors note: This is my first submission to Literotica. Be gentle.

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Paul walked up to the building where his interview was supposed to take place. It was much larger than he thought it would be for a moderately successful, privately owned publishing company. It was twenty stories at least and took up most of the square block.

When he'd done his research for his application and initial interview, he found maybe a dozen authors who actively used Denton Publishing for their work, most of which were only mid-tier authors in the current market. All except one, Molly Denton.

Molly Denton was the reason he was here. It had been ten years since she had written anything, choosing to concentrate more on launching her own publishing company, but word was she was preparing for a comeback.

The job Paul was here to interview for was to be her new editor. If her history stayed true, part of her process was to hire someone new for each book she wrote. She then depended on them so much during her process that by the time she published she would credit said editor with a co-author credit. An aspiring author like Paul could literally write his own ticket in the publishing world with such a credit.

Entering the building Paul noticed the reception desk across the room. As he walked across the lobby, he noticed it was sparsely decorated but still gave off a very professional vibe. The woman sitting at the desk was a red head with green eyes, a rare combination, and very pretty. Paul thought so anyway. He dismissed his superficial thought as he approached closer to her and switched his mind back to the task at hand.

"Good morning, Ms. Amy." he said, reading her name from the nameplate on the desk. "My name is Paul Becker, I'm here for an interview with Ms. Molly Denton."

Amy, for her part, seemed far more casual about the interaction than Paul did.

"Sure, Paul," she said. "I'll let Molly know you're here. Please make your way up to the fourteenth floor and someone will be there to escort you to where the interview will take place."

Paul nodded and thanked the girl for her help and made his way to the elevators. When he arrived at his desired floor the elevator doors opened to reveal another young woman.

She was blonde, heavy in the chest, almost too large for her frame, and was slightly taller than him. Again, Paul acknowledged the beauty in front of him internally, but quickly dismissed his unneeded thoughts so he could keep his concentration on the interview.

Not only did he need this job to better his career, but he needed this job in general. He had been unemployed since graduating with his master's degree in writing and literature. A degree, as it turned out, that is utterly useless outside of the field for which it would be directly applicable. He was behind in rent and could barely afford to eat at this point.

"Good morning, Paul," said the tall woman, "if you'd please follow me? I will take you to the conference room where Molly will be interviewing you."

"Thank you, Ms...?"

"Just call me Grace. We don't hold to many formalities around here."

Paul nodded and stepped off the elevator preparing to follow Grace, but she just stood there, looking at him. It was almost like she was sizing him up or was trying to read something about him before moving.

"You're a lot taller than the last one," she said after another moment, then turned and walked away, assuming he'd follow.

Paul hesitated, thrown off by the random statement about his height. It was true he was tall, but not overly. She was taller than he would have expected too, but he didn't say anything about it. Their physical attributes didn't seem relevant. Ignoring it for the moment, he quickly caught up with Grace as she led him through the office space.

Looking around, Paul again noticed the sparse décor.

The interior designer for the building must be into the 'less is more' philosophy, he thought.

Grace came to a door and opened it, holding it open until Paul got the hint and walked through. Inside the room were only two chairs and a small table, which would make sense for a one-on-one interview space, but it was the type of chair that was out of place.

They were recliners. The kind like you would find in a guy's apartment on some 90's sitcom because they were too manly to own a couch. They even looked to Paul like they would swivel and rock.

"Please have a seat," said Grace. "Molly is currently in another meeting but should be done soon. Until then, the company lawyer, Cassie, will be keeping you company and getting some of the formalities out of way. Would you like something to drink, the interview process does take a while?"

"Water, please? If I could."

"Of course," said Grace.

She left and shut the door behind her, leaving Paul alone in a room with two out of place chairs. Paul reflected on the last twenty minutes as he waited. Everything he'd seen and done since entering this building was a few degrees off-center to him.

Before he could think about it further, the door opened and yet another beautiful woman walked in. This one was also taller than him but was brunette. She was much curvier than Grace, as well, which was an accomplishment considering the blonde girls impressive bust.

Tearing his eyes from the swell of her hips before it could be considered gawking, he watched as the woman held out a water to him while setting down the small briefcase she was carrying.

"Good morning Paul, I'm Cassie, the company lawyer." she said.

"Nice to meet you Cassie, and thank you for the water."

"Of course. You're here to interview for the new editor position with Molly?"

"I am. I believe you were who I spoke to on the phone interview? I didn't know you were a lawyer."

"Probably. There were a lot of applicants, though, so you'll forgive me if I don't remember what we talked about specifically."

"I understand. No offense taken."

Cassie sat down in one of the recliners and opened her briefcase, pulling out two single sheets of paper. Paul thought it to be slightly off, again, that he was now talking to the company lawyer before ever meeting the person supposedly interviewing him. He'd been on dozens of interviews over the last few months and not once had he talked to a lawyer, let alone twice for the same job.

"Before Molly arrives," said Cassie, "I need to have you fill out some forms. Nothing too out or the ordinary, just an NDA and a waiver stating that the company, or Molly more specifically, is not legally liable for anything said or done during the interview."

Paul was confused. "No offense, Ms. Cassie."

"Just Cassie," she interrupted.

"Ok. No offense, Cassie, but this is a publishing company, yes? You don't work for the government on the side or something. I won't be taken to some secret base and told aliens are real? An NDA and a waiver seem a bit overkill for an entry level administration position, especially before I even have the job."

"I can assure you, there is nothing untoward going on here at Denton Publishing. This is in case the interview doesn't go well. You will be discussing things about Molly's new book, and... other sensitive issues while you're here. It's important those things remain confidential. You understand, yes?"

Paul didn't understand. Any of it, especially why she emphasized the word 'other' the way she did. He added it to the weird list of other stuff about this place he didn't understand. Maybe he'd figure out what it all meant later when there wasn't so much on the line for him.

He read over the forms and didn't see anything out of the ordinary, not that he knew enough about legal forms to know if there was anyway. From what he could tell, one form made it so he could be sued if he talked about what was said in the interview, and the other made it so he couldn't sue if something was said or done during the interview he didn't like.

Seemed straight forward enough to him, and with only the feintest of apprehensions at the idea something would happen during the interview he would feel the need to sue over, he signed.

"Ok. Thank you much, Paul. That's all I have for you today, but if you get hired, you'll be seeing me again. More forms, you know? It's kind of what I do here. Among other things."

She took the papers back and slid them into her bag, standing up to leave. With one more glance at him, she smirked a bit.

"You're taller than those Molly usually hires for this", she said, and left.

That's twice now they mentioned my height. How is that even relevant? thought Paul. I'm not exactly ugly, but it would be surprising if my looks had any bearing on whether I get this job or not. Wouldn't be the weirdest thing about this place though. Why the hell are all the women I've seen so hot... and tall?

Paul wondered back to the first girl. The receptionist, Amy. She was seated so he didn't know if she was tall or short, nor did he get a good look at her figure from his vantage and brief interaction.

Disregarding that, Paul opened the notebook he brought with him. He started going over his notes and reread some of the articles and information he'd scavenged about Molly Denton and Denton Publishing, refreshing himself for the interview in case any of it would be useful.

Not long after, the door to the room opened again and another woman walked in. Paul stood ready for a handshake, assuming it was going to be Molly Denton. A few things about the girl hit him all at once.

First, if it were possible, she was just as, if not more attractive than the already above average looking women he'd met so far. She was brunet, like Cassie, with dark brown eyes. She looked older than him, and he knew from her bio that she in fact was older by a decade. Keeping with the tradition she was also taller than him, but not by much. She wore jeans and a t-shirt, which seemed very weird for this setting in his opinion.

He was wearing a suit and tie.

Finally, Paul couldn't help but admire just how huge her tits were. Magnificent was the only word he could find in his mind to describe how perfectly big and soft looking they were, even through her shirt and bra.

He shook his head in a vain attempt to clear it. He could reminisce about her dreamy bosom later. He needed this job, and he sure as hell wasn't going to get if he was caught drooling over his perspective boss' rack.

The woman walked forward and smiled with an extended hand.

"Good morning Paul, I'm Molly. It's nice to finally meet you." she said pleasantly. "Ready for your interview?"

"Uhm, yes. That's why I'm here. Yes. Job interview," said Paul struggling to compose himself.

"Great. I've been looking forward to this. Your resume was impressive. I especially liked the interactive website version you created, haven't seen that before."

Molly walked closer to Paul which caused their height difference to look more prominent. Paul wasn't embarrassingly shorter, but it was noticeable. Paul's neck might have snapped if he put any more effort into keeping eye contact and not to ogle her.

"That's nice of you to say," Paul replied, "most people I've interviewed with don't even bother to look at it. For whatever reason."

"Please, sit," said Molly, gesturing to a chair. She sat in the chair opposite the small table. They sat and adjusted until comfortable before she continued.

"I would imagine they didn't look at it for the same reason none of them hired you. Their old. You're not. An unfortunate characteristic of the industry, I'm afraid. Anyone young enough and talented enough to be an author, editor or publisher these days do so in some online format, not even bothering to go the traditional route. This has left a significant age gap. It'll correct itself in time. One of the reasons I branched out and started my own publishing house when I did. By the time everyone else is ready to modernize, I'll already be there with an army of young talent."

"Very forward thinking of you. Is that why you haven't written much over the last few years?"

"Ha," she laughed, a bit surprised by his candor. Molly figured him the type that would be too 'professional' to say something personal like that. She liked it. "Maybe. Among other reasons of course. Writer's block is usually caused by more than just time management."

"I get it. So the drought wasn't from lack of desire or motivation, was it of inspiration?"

"Of a sort, yes."

"Might I ask why now, then?"

"You can ask, but if you actually want an answer, you'll have to win the job. I don't share my art with just anybody. Enough about me, though, this is your interview. Tell me, why do you want this job? With your education you should be looking for something a little better than entry admin work."

"Like you said, it's a tough industry right now for people like me. I need a job."

Molly raised an eyebrow, "Is that it? You just need a job, any job? I must say it doesn't motivate me to hire you just because you need a job. Anyone else unemployed would need or want it just as much."

"That's fair," replied Paul. He took a minute to gather his thoughts before expanding on the question.

"You're Molly Denton," he finally said. "You were first published at the age of fifteen, which isn't entirely unheard of by itself. What was unheard of, however, was the reception you received. One-hundred and forty-two weeks on the top of the best sellers list, movie rights and eventual movie, and wide consensus within the industry that your first ever novel will be considered 'high literature' before you turn 50."

"Pretentious, but that's what they say," said Molly, "But why do you want this job?"

"Ok, then," he said. "Ten years ago, you published your fifth book. It was met with the usual praise and was probably well on its way to all the same accolades as your previous four books, not important in this context, I know, but there was one glaring difference between that book and every other one you had written. The main character was a man. It caused a lot of turmoil within your more feminist fanbase. When asked why you made this choice, you replied, 'It had to be a man. The narrative depended on it. Wouldn't have worked otherwise."

"And I spent the next six-months being attacked by every feminist in the country," said Molly. "Who knew I had so many fans offended at the thought there wasn't some deeper, political meaning to me using females as the main characters before then."

"Yet you never apologized or placated, which would have definitely been the correct move, professionally speaking."

"The book was still a success. Where are you going with this?" asked Molly.

"You cared more about the book more than you cared about the validation. You could have apologized, even though you wouldn't have meant it, and most of the criticism probably would have disappeared. If I'm going to work for anybody in the age of self-publishing, I need to work for someone like that."

Molly sat there and just studied Paul for a moment, she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by the answer he was trying to push off on her. It was all bullshit. That was a nothing event in the life of her career.

"That was the perfect interview answer" she said. "You showed you know my history, that you studied up on my work and how it was received, you even added in a direct quote from an interview followed by an appeal to my artistic integrity. Very well done, all told. Too bad it's nonsense."

"What?" asked Paul, taken aback.

"I bet if I were to look in that binder you are pretending to take notes in, there would be a list of things you think might come up in this interview. Seeing as 'why do you want this job' is a common question, you probably rehearsed parts of that. Even your initial answer of 'I just need a job', was probably on purpose. Am I right?"

Paul closed his folder and pushed it to the side. "Maybe. Now it's my turn to ask where you're going with this. Anyone with a brain has some level of preparation for possible interview questions. Calling me out seems counter-productive to the format."

"Formats are dumb. Never found much use for them. Don't even outline my books before I write them. I find it too constricting and binds my creativity."

"I like outlines."

"I have no doubt. You seem the type."

"Something tells me that's not exactly a compliment."

Molly didn't respond to that, instead changing the subject. "You know, Paul, I don't usually hire someone like you for this position."

"Too tall?" he asked.

"What?" Now it was Molly's turn to be surprised.

Paul figured since this interview wasn't going to go according to script he'd lean into the trend of the conversation.

"I've been told twice since arriving that I am 'taller than those who are usually hired for this position'. Considering I have only met three people, two of which I know for sure are taller than me, I feel the observation may be significant."

Molly shuffled in her seat. It didn't play well that Paul might suspect his physical appearance is playing a role in her desire to hire him. Even women bosses had to abide by equal opportunity policies.

"Go on, anything else you've noticed?" she asked, moving away from the topic of his appearance.

"As it happens, yes. Speaking of the people I have met in this office so far, all three were women, which isn't surprising, but all three are above average in both height and beauty. It might not be polite to comment on such things in the workplace, but its overly noticeable. Like it was intentional I met who I met. It could be a coincidence and I just happened to meet the only three model-esque looking women on your staff, but I somehow doubt it. Even you look like you belong on a magazine cover, and you own the building."

He leaned forward and continued.

"What's just as noticeable, beyond the employees, is the building itself. There's hardly a decoration to be seen. Minimalist, if I don't miss my guess. The contours, materials and characteristics of the building itself are used to accentuate an 'air of success and professionalism'. Very modern art, but just as 'pretentious', to use your word form before, as it would be if you had million-dollar paintings hanging on every wall.

"This is all not to mention that I've so far signed away my right to sue and put myself in a vulnerable position for you to sue me if I tell someone you don't approve of something you don't want them to know. I've been chauffeured through the office, legally briefed, and now have been dressed down about my interview notes by an overwhelmingly successful woman who shows up to our interview wearing jeans. Not for nothing, but I'm beginning to suspect this position isn't exactly what the job board had billed. I'm confused and annoyed, but still very much want this job."

Molly had started smiling before Paul had finished his monologue. He was it. Just like that she wanted him for this position even if he was taller then she preferred. He was inexperienced professionally, most likely in other ways, as well, but not so much he couldn't be brought up to speed in short order. Companies always over-estimated the difficulty of needing to train someone.

It was that other part of what she needed from him that would be the real deciding factor. Now would be when the real interview began.

"Very impressive, Paul. And you're right, there is more to this position than you know. Though I wonder if you are prepared for exactly what that is. Tell me, do you know what a 'muse' is?" asked Molly.

"It's descended from Greek mythology; I believe they were inspiration goddesses. Now it mostly translates to mean the anthropomorphic embodiment of being inspired."

"Big word, anthropomorphic. It's not used often enough in my opinion."