Interview

His palms were sweating. The clock’s incessant ticking only worked as a chronic instigator to his anxiety. The room was an eggshell white. There was a constant and quiet hum of the A.C. only interrupted by the receptionist, softly murmuring appointments to exasperated businessmen.

“Tim Casey, Mr. Erickson will see you now.” That was it. Those were the words he had been waiting for all night. The polite woman opened the eggshell door to the eggshell room. Clammy palms gripping his $5 briefcase, he walked into the office. It was bland. There sat a modest oak wood desk, topped by only a small lamp, an agenda, and a few pens. The windows were covered with dusty grey curtains, the kind that looked like they haven’t been touched in years. The carpet had obvious tracks through it with the corners of the room being nearly untouched.

“Mr. Casey! Good to finally meet you. Your resume was fantastic, a Yale grad who is still on the market after two years? I figured you would have to be a leper!” The man bellowed. He was a fat man. Two chins, the second swallowing the first. His chair was extra-large, to accommodate his stature. His beard was scraggly and unkempt, yet throughout all this, he had a commanding presence. He was a man who knew how to hold the attention of a room.

“No. I’m not a leper, just a man with a computer science degree looking for a job. Nobody has called me back except for you. The job market is especially tight right now.” As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted them. He’s the only one who called me back? Now he knows that I’m desperate. Backed into a corner, that’s what I’ve done to myself.

The corners of the fat man’s mouth tightened into a wry smile. “Well, isn’t that a tough situation then? Here’s my offer Tim, I’ll give you 40,000 to start, and you can work up to 50 after 5 years. We can put that into a contract. How does that sound now?” Tim was speechless. That was half of what people with his qualifications were getting paid. Does he think I’m just going to let him shaft me with this? I’m worth twice this!

Sweat started to bead down Tim’s head as his anxiety started to get the best of him. “I.. I.. I can’t take this. I’m worth more than what you are offering here.” He squeaked. Tim dry washed his hands hoping to conceal his nervousness. Negotiating his salary isn’t something he prepared for. The eggshell walls seemed to creep closer to him, the fat man looming over him.

“Well, that’s the best I can do Tim. You can accept it or leave it, but if I really am your only call back you might want to consider this for a moment.” Smugness crept over the man; he leant back in his chair folding his cradled hands on top of his stomach.

Dry mouthed, Tim swallowed. “I’m qualified to run the whole IT department. In fact, that’s what I’m applying for. This is something that takes years and years of school to do properly. I don…”

“I don’t care if you are qualified to run a spaceship Timmy, I have made you the best offer I can. If you don’t want to take it then you can leave my office, and the best of luck to you.”

Tim hated the man already. He’s trying to bully me! Why can’t I stand up for myself? Come on Tim walk out… walk out Tim!

“Why don’t you pick up that pen and sign right here Tim. You aren’t going to get another offer like this.” The man pulled a greasy pen from  his jacket pocket and slid it over the worn out desk towards Tim. The smug smile crept back over his face. He pulled a cheap bottle of scotch out from a desk drawer, pouring it in two glasses. “To celebrate our new partnership Timmy boy, have a drink.”

Picking up the glass of scotch, Tim looked up at the man in disgust. Too much of a coward to walk out on this man, he took the glass and drank it all. In a quick motion he signed the contract with the greasy pen.

“Alright, when do I start?” Tim said with his voice wavering.

“Peggy will call you with everything when we have it all worked out. I’m looking forward to seeing you around here Tim.”

Disgusted with his own lack of courage, Tim walked out. Clammy hands still clutching the faux leather briefcase.