Job Interview

"Hi, is this room 201?"

"Yes it is!"

"Are you Steven Keiller?"

"I am!"

"My name is Alan Waits, I'm applying for the sales position?"

"Pleased to meet you, Alan..that's quite a handshake you've got there!"

"Sorry, I don't know my own strength sometimes.."

"Oh, don't be! I like a firm handshake! Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

"Well, I finished my BA in English a couple of years ago and have been working the circuit trying to get a job as a copy editor. I've been working in retail since I was in High school so I figured why not try for sales?"

"I see. And what happened to your potential editing career?"

"Well, it just wasn't happening so I decided to try something else, you know?"

"Interesting. What appeals to you about working at Dowater Incorporated?"

"Well, you guys have a good reputation and I really feel I have a lot to add to your organization."

"Well, based on what you've said so far,  I'm a little concerned we'd just be a place filler until you got that editor job you've been looking for."

"To be honest, I'm done with that. I only halfheartedly looked. It was just something to do until..."

"Until what?"

"Well, it's nothing.."

"No, go ahead. I'm not going to hold it against you. I'm genuinely curious."

"Well..I've always wanted to be a writer. I've been trying to get published for awhile, but no luck. So, it's time to go out and get a real job."

"Hmm...well I thin I've heard enough. I don't think this is the place for you."

"What? But-"

"No, no protests. Your resume indicates you'd nominally be a good candidate, but I just don't see you fitting in with our culture here. This is a highly corporate environment. the other salesmen will eat you alive and slit your throat if they get half a chance. They're bloodthirsty. I don't see you like that."

"I'm a hardworker! I'd learn!"

"I'm sure you would. I don't want to see that happen. I've seen dreams crushed and left by the wayside far too often. Go out and do what makes you happy and the rest will follow."

"Are you sure I can't change your mind?"

"Positive. Go out and make yourself something you want to be. Don't be dried up and hopeless like me."

"Well, thank you then sir."

"You take care, son."

"Goodbye."

"Bye."

**************************************************

A couple of minutes after Alan had left, a man stuck his head into the conference room.

"John! What are you doing in here? I'm holding an interview in here in a couple of minutes..I need this space!" the man in the doorway said peevishly.

"Oh, sorry about that Steven. I didn't realize."

"Well, clear out!"

With that, he took off down the hall, muttering angrily. John sat there a few moments until Steven was gone and a small secret smile slowly crept onto his face.