Sarah Forward

Creative Writing 3

Interview gone awry

5/18/05

The Definition of Professional

Giuseppe straightened his tie in the mirror. My first job interview…he thought loftily. Unlike his father who lived off his grandfather’s riches, Giuseppe wanted to make an income of his own, in a profession he chose. The tuna industry is great and all, but Giuseppe wanted something more of the modern era, something on the rise. He had his eyes set on a new computer company just making its name known. With its increasing popularity, it would need new employees to handle its growth, right? Toying with his hair a moment, he tried to come up with a ‘professional’ looking style that wouldn’t get ruined by his helmet. Giuseppe was just happy his roommate wasn’t around to watch his fussy grooming. For a business school student, Alexander wasn’t the most mature fellow. He would have been teasing Giuseppe the entire time, and that was the last thing he needed. Dropping his helmet carefully over his head, he clipped the chin strap before scooping up the portfolio he had made containing his resume and other important information. Eyeing the clock, he discovered another minute would probably make him late. Jogging out of the door, he took the lift down to the bottom floor of the dorms. Bursting from the doors he hopped upon his moped and kicked it into gear, motoring down the streets to the restaurant where his interview would be taking place.

With a yawn, Kevin Auchmuty cast a lazy arm over the back of his seat. Lounging languidly he tapped his toes together as he awaited the boy who was coming for an interview. Oh, these are so outdated, he groaned mentally. Leave it up to a business student to request an interview. Kevin understood, though, that the boy needed one for a class and he was resigned to that fact. What could it harm?

Giuseppe parked his moped and fed the meter its desired quarters. Removing the helmet, he fidgeted once more with his hair in the scooter’s mirror. Deciding he was as prepared as he would ever be, he took in one final calming breath and entered the restaurant.

“Welcome Sir, may I have your name?” asked the man behind the greeting podium.

“Ah… er… Garcia! Giuseppe Garcia. I’ve come to see a Mr. … Akmooty?” Giuseppe replied, hoping he didn’t butcher his possibly future employer’s name.

“Ah yes… he’s been awaiting you patiently.” The man grinned and led Giuseppe through the tables to a rather secluded booth where Kevin was waiting.

Giuseppe could not help but stare a moment when his eyes finally fell upon the man he was beseeching employment from. On the phone he had sounded so… conventional, but here before him lounged a man anything but that. Clad in a white dress shirt and red tie, that was about the only normal thing about the man. His hair was neon green and spiked resembling a mohawk. His nose pierced with a single stud, and he was wearing a kilt. One Giuseppe hoped, was not being worn traditionally. Getting over the initial shock Giuseppe shook his head lightly and adopted a grin, “Ah… Mr. Akmooty?” he could not keep the inquiring tone from his voice when trying to pronounce his name, “I-I’m Giuseppe Garcia, I’ve come for the interview.”

“Auchmuty, yes. But just call me Kevin, the mister thing makes me feel so… old. Hello Giuseppe.” Kevin replied, standing and offering a hand to shake.

“Oh, okay Mr-AH! I mean Kevin…” Giuseppe stammered, shaking the proffered hand. “So uh… I brought a portfolio of all my accomplishments and I have a very nice…”

Kevin silenced Giuseppe with a wave and said, “Calm, calm, sheeze, you just arrived! How about a drink, maybe an appetizer?” the man offered as a waitress joined them.

“Ah! Erm… ok…” Giuseppe conceded embarrassedly. This was not how they had said it would go in class. Cracking open the menu set before him, he requested only a glass of water and some crab-cakes.

Kevin’s nose wrinkled at the thought of having to smell crab. He abhorred sea foods. Ordering himself some coffee, he left it at that. He was not a big fan of three course meals.

As they sat waiting, Giuseppe fidgeted slightly, Why isn’t he asking any questions?

I’m probably supposed to be questioning him now…Kevin mused mentally, running his finger around the rim of his coffee cup. “So, what made you interested in applying for my business? Aren’t you afraid it’s going to get bought out or trampled with competition like Microsoft?”

“Ah… well I guess there is some doubt for stability… ah! But I really want to get a job in the field of technology.” Giuseppe replied, hoping to have saved himself.

“Hmmm… if you wanted a job in technology… then why are you in business school?” Kevin asked, looking over Giuseppe’s resume. Without the boy’s consent he simply had scooped up the portfolio and began rifling through it.

Hey! When did he get that? Kevin’s actions seemed rather unprofessional. “Because I’m interested in the fiscal aspects of the field.” Giuseppe replied.

“Ah… so you’re looking to line your pockets with my inventions?” Kevin asked looking down his nose at the young business student.

“What?! No! Nothing like that!” Giuseppe cried defensively, hushing a bit when the waitress returned with his crab-cakes. “I just mean I want to help with your endorsing and sales.” he murmured, popping one into his mouth.

Kevin cringed and took a sip of his coffee. “Mmmm… very well. What do you know of Pop Culture?” he questioned, stirring the cup of joe.

“Oh, terrible stuff.” Giuseppe replied, shaking his head. “All based around fads and unconventionality…” he trailed off when he suddenly realized he was headed in the wrong direction. “I mean… er… well, I mean… It’s my generation right?! I fully know…” he petered off again when it was apparent Kevin wasn’t buying it.

“The waitress will be back again shortly. Look through your menu and be ready to order.” was all Kevin said, flipping up his own menu. He came to this place often for normal meetings and had their timing down rather well.

Giuseppe grit his teeth and pulled open the menu again, jumping over immediately to the pasta section. Mmm…Shrimp Alfredo, I’ll have that.

Kevin perused the dinner salads, deciding on a Chicken Caesar. Once the waitress arrived he placed his order, once more flinching at Giuseppe’s choice. Fortunately for Giuseppe, Kevin understood that the boy could not know his distaste for seafood, leaving him with only one strike instead of two.

Once the woman had gone they were left in an awkward silence. Giuseppe fidgeted, not sure what to say, trying to review what the class had said about times like this. Just as he was recalling the lesson on what not to do, Kevin spoke again.

“You have any pets?” he asked, he adored his animals and just needed some small talk until dinner came.

“Er… a beta. We’re not allowed animals in dorms.” Giuseppe replied, knowing he sounded lame.

“What about at home?”

“No… none there.” Giuseppe shook his head.

“Pity, I have two animals. My Jack Russell and my lovely parrot. She hangs with me at the company. Livens up the place.” Kevin grinned thoughtfully.

Oh god… a bird. Giuseppe was always taught they were dirty and unpleasant animals. “Does it… fly around the place?” he asked.

“Yes, she does. You don’t like that?” Kevin huffed.

Fortunately Giuseppe didn’t have time to reply as the waitress placed their plates before them. They began eating and remained in silence. Not a good move for Giuseppe because that would be his only opening. Just as he was about to carry on with a new topic Kevin went rather rigid with surprise a moment before raising a halting finger. Pulling out a cell phone he clicked it open and frowned.

“I need to take this.” he said and slipped away from the table and out the door to be polite. Giuseppe waited patiently for his return and hoped he wouldn’t loose his topic to the thoughts ping-ponging through his head.

When Kevin returned he gave the boy an apologetic look, “I’m sorry, I really must leave. There’s been an emergency. My dinner is covered, so feel free to carry on with your meal. I’m going to take your resume and the lot and review it, alright? I’ll get back to you a-sap.”

Giuseppe nodded silently and watched the man bolt from the restaurant. Burying his face into his hands with a groan he hoped it went over well. Ordering himself a piece of chocolate cake for comfort, he then paid for his meal and left. And now… I wait.