Free Among the Shrouded by Amalie Jahn

mingling with one another around the room.  She immediately picked out two distinguished looking men wearing business suits and what appeared to be very expensive shoes.  It was obvious they were the American investors.  She knew they were the people she needed to impress, and as if drawn to her by some unseen force, they immediately approached her.  She smiled, knowing her gift was once again helping her to get what she wanted. 
    “Yekaterina, a pleasure,” said the first man , taking her hand and kissing it gently.  “My name is Henry, and this,” he said, motioning to his companion, “is my business partner, Patrick.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, suddenly very grateful for the English classes her parents had forced her to take her entire life.
    “No, it’s nice to meet you,” said Patrick.  “You look absolutely exquisite!”
    She felt her cheeks blushing to match the shade of her dress and averted her eyes, no longer able to maintain their gaze.  “Thank you,” she said modestly.
    “Come , sit down,” Henry encouraged her.  “We are about to get started.
    She crossed the room and sat beside another young woman who looked to be about her age.  She scanned the room and saw there were six other young men and women in attendance.  She assumed they had all responded to the same flyer she had seen in the student union.
    As soon as she was seated, Henry and Patrick began their presentation in the center of the room.
    “Welcome,” Henry began.  “We are so glad you have come to join us this evening to find out more about what we can do to help you fulfill your dreams.”
    “We will start by explaining what the program is all about,” continued Patrick.  “It is actually quite simple.  Henry and I are interested in the financial prosperity of this wonderful country of yours.  We know the Ukrainian people have been hit hard over the past several years by a terrible recession.  We believe one of the best ways to improve the prospects of the country is to improve the prospects of its people.  And the people with the most to offer are college students.”
    Henry took over for Patrick, “And that is why you are here.  Every month, we select several students to go to the United States.  We provide work visas and all of your transportation needs.  While you are in the states, you will be given high paying American jobs.  You will live communally, which helps to keep living expenses to a minimum.  Therefore, you are able to quickly save money that you will be able to use to complete your education when you return home.  Our typical students are able to return to the Ukraine in as little as six months to a year with enough money to pay for the remainder of their studies.  Then you can start your lives here as well educated, debt free adults who will help improve the financial stability of the country.”
    “All we ask is for you to fill out our questionnaire and spend some time with us tonight while we get to know you.  Within several days, we will contact you to let you know if you have been selected.  Are there any questions?” Patrick finished.
    Each of the students looked expectantly around the room at one another.  She took the opportunity to set herself apart from the crowd by speaking first. 
    “I have a question,” she began.  “I was unaware we were going to be asked to leave the country.  I have never been outside of the Ukraine and have never been away from my family.  Will we be able to communicate with them?”
    “That is a great question, Yekaterina.  Yes, of course.  You will have internet and telephone services available to you so you may keep in contact with your family throughout your entire stay.”
    “Why can’t we just get jobs here?” one of the boys asked.
    “As you may know, the job market here in the Ukraine is very tight.  In the United States, jobs are much more plentiful.  Additionally, the pay is considerably higher in the U.S. as