The folder holding John’s resume ruffled nonstop in his hands. He fidgeted and rubbed his fingers back and forth in anxious repeated motions in an attempt to calm himself. It annoyed some of the people around him, but they could not fully blame John. They, too, sat with faces full of apprehension.
John sat restlessly in a row of fully occupied metal seats. His heart thumped loudly in his chest, pumping anxiety through his veins that came out as sweat through the palms of his hands. His heel repeatedly tapped the floor like a dull jackhammer with his nerves on edge. He glanced left to right and over his shoulders; the rows of seating in the lobby were packed full of people similar to himself.
There’s at least fifty people here. Can I even get this job?
Most sat worried like John, recalling that the available positions were limited. They were split apart and were all there to apply for the role as a Field Worker.
A light airy voice rippled into the area and grabbed everyone’s attention. “Everyone in this row, stand up and follow me.”
John jerked back his head and focused on the brunette in a white blouse. He glanced a bit too long at her cute face while the others were already getting up. Seeing the line move, John jumped into standing and followed the others as they walked after the lady.
The lobby was massive. The receptionist counters and many seating areas were the center of display in the structure’s open layout, allowing views from open sections of the upper floors. However, the hard cement and overly spacious area did not give a warm comforting feel. The place was not overly embellished, lacking much decor, and furnished with only cold practicality.
Following the others, John observed the interior, feeling distant and disconnected from the large open place. Refocusing on his prize, he shook off the thoughts of wanting to be part of the company and reminded himself he was there to make money. They marched in a single-file line, moving down to the end of a hallway, full of closed doors before abruptly stopping.
“Do not break your place in line. Starting from this last room on your left, you will enter one person to each room and wait. Begin.”
The crowd was confused, but they did as told. One by one, the line emptied out, filling each room with one person. His turn, John turned the doorknob but all he could focus on was the loud pounding heart in his chest. His stomach felt queasy, but he took one deep breath, shoving down his anxious feeling welling up from his belly, and entered one of the rooms.
It was small and box-like but still cold and unwelcoming. The room was empty except for a metal table and two chairs made from matching materials. John looked left and right, not seeing anyone inside. He approached the table but saw nothing there. With no further instructions or clues, John continued looking around and noticed the faint outlines of closed doors in the opposite walls.
Does this mean the interviewer is late?
John kept waiting anxiously, still standing up. He wanted to leave a good impression and greet his interviewer not in a sitting position.
Time passed as John continued waiting while standing. His nerves slowly calmed after the long wait.
He pulled out his phone to check the time but was unsure how much time exactly had passed. He felt like he had been in the room for quite a while.
Am I supposed to enter the doors? But the lady didn’t say anything other than enter and wait.
Suddenly, a clicking noise echoed in the quiet room. The door on the right pulled open. John turned his head and looked over expectantly. A tall, well-built middle-aged man in a light-blue dress shirt and dark blue pants walked in as his light brown hair waved in the air. He looked at John with his dark-brown eyes and smiled with a toothy grin.
“Ok, you passed the first test. Take a seat before we begin.”
John did not know what the first test was, but seeing the interviewer move, John followed suit. The two approached the table, and John went in for a handshake before handing the man his resume.
“I’m John Skies. Thank you for having me here.”
“Nice to meet you, John. I am Ethan. Ethan Marks. Glad to have someone who did not fail right away.”
“Fail right away?”
“Yup. If you could not follow instructions and enter the rooms one by one in a single-file line and wait as you were told, then you failed the first test and get kicked out. We personally waited half an hour to test all applicants’ patience and thinking. I am happy you passed! Many tend to fail this first test.”
John gulped. The small overlooked detail could have gotten him rejected. He made sure to pay especially close attention going forward.
“Let’s see…” the man said, pulling up a tablet and looking at the personal information John submitted at the checkpoint. “Your background check cleared the basics. Further clearance will be needed if you want to move up in the company, but your clean record is enough for now. I see that you did not place down an address for your residence.”
John looked down and fiddled with his fingers.
“Oh. I, uh… I don’t have one right now. I was hoping to get one after I get a job somewhere. Will it be a problem?”
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John looked back up, but he missed Ethan’s look that pitied him. However, Ethan quickly replied, “Kind of. It’s more so that we can send you any letters should you be hired. But we can ignore that for now. We actually prefer our employees to stay onsite and reside in the provided housing facility here. So it might work out actually.”
John lifted his head, eyes wide, and jaws dropped. His excited and astonished puppy look made Ethan chuckle.
“But first, you need to be able to get the job. Ok. Let’s get his interview going then, shall we? So tell me what you know about First World Trading?”
Apprehension once again filled John’s insides. He rubbed his fingers underneath the table again to soothe his anxiety.
“Um, well you see... I tried finding out more information about your company, but all online results did not show me anything that seemed related to the job post. The guard at the checkpoint did say that this wasn’t a military base though.”
The man laughed.
“We always ask this to see what the responses are. Ok, test two: you pass. It’s not much of a test. Passing is easy as long as you do not lie and fabricate some absurd story. As you know from the non-disclosure agreement, we are a contractor of the military, meaning we work on behalf of the government. Our work is classified and therefore that is why you will never find anything publicly in the media or online. The military personnel around here complain because they have to repeatedly explain the same story to civilians, but it’s actually their bosses that made the rules.”
John felt like he unknowingly dodged the knife that was a seemingly typical interview question, when in fact, it was loaded with intent to fail him.
“Alright, moving on. Looking at your resume, you seemed to have worked a wide range of jobs. But the Field Worker's role is slightly different. It’s not that much more difficult compared to your previous job experiences and pays much better, but it comes with added risks. You will be required to work through various weather and in all sorts of environments. It will be dirty and sweaty, but more importantly, dangerous. Even with the Field Guards to protect you, there are still high chances for injury and possibly death. Even so, you will have to complete your tasks regardless of all the aforementioned points just made. Is this something you are willing to take on?”
John fervently nodded his head. “Of course! I understand the risks. Many jobs have risks, but once I start something I like to ensure I see it to completion. And I do everything with two hundred percent. I don’t mind or sweat over the little details. I’m super careful too! Give me a job, and I’ll return to you with completed results. I can even scrub the toilets if that is what you want!”
The man grinned but shook his head. “I like your eagerness and determination. But no, you won’t be scrubbing toilets. The position does not handle those duties. Since you signed the NDA, I can give you some more information pertaining to the role. Its main job duty will be harvesting materials in potentially hazardous environments with unknown hostile forces. Should you take this job, you will be away on these collecting missions for long periods at a time, and thus why survival boot camp is required for all new employees.”
John suddenly recalled an odd detail from the job posting after Ethan mentioned ‘hostile forces.’
“Just curious, but why not use firearms? I remember seeing the need to wield a sword in the job advertisement.”
“You still remember that, huh?” Ethan smirked as John nodded his head. “Well, it is because most of the places you will be working at guns don’t work. Sometimes, even other things like cell phones and computers. So do not even think about getting cellular service. You will have to be able to read maps and a compass. See why survival boot camp is needed?”
John tilted his head. “Guns don’t work? Is it because of the environment or something?”
“You’ll see,” Ethan smirked back, leaving John further confused.
“Just know it’s not because we don’t want to use guns and the like. It's just that the circumstances do not permit it. Anyway, I think you would be a good fit with us here at First World Trading, John. The benefits are plenty as well. If you move up you can get paid vacation leave in addition to PTO accrual. Health and matching retirement benefits are also generous.”
“Oh, right. I saw an unusual benefit too. Stats points. What is that?”
A crazy gleam flashed in Ethan’s eyes, and a wide smile stretched across his face. He liked how John remembered details well.
“Sharp eyes and good memory. It will serve you some good, John. The stat points are the best benefit of them all! It’s actually a company secret. But we can go over that should you choose to join us. Your boot camp instructor would be the one explaining more of that absolutely ridiculous feature.”
John was now extremely curious, but the devious grin on Ethan’s face told him he was not going to tell him a word. He thought the interviewer was a bit odd, not answering some of his questions fully, but the man did give hints and didn’t come off as exactly shady. Most importantly, the interview seemed to be going well, and John did not want to break the good vibe.
Ethan turned his tablet and pushed it out in front of John.
“Alright, John. I am officially extending you the role as a Field Worker on behalf of First World. Ask any questions now before you agree. Once you sign, you will be contracted to work with us for the government for a minimum of two years. Breaching this contract has heavy consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Do you accept?”
Excitement flooded John’s face, glowing vibrantly as he wanted to jump across the table to hug Ethan for giving him the job. But the stern and serious demeanor of the interviewer rained down on John’s parade. John seriously took a moment to ponder some deep thoughts.
“I remember the NDA noted that if I tell anyone outside of work, even if they’re family, that it will be treated as treason and punishable by death. And then anyone I told will be also implicated into signing the NDA. Is that true? Are there any other punishments I should be aware of?”
“That is the main one you should be aware of, yes. Other than you not deserting your role, then there are not too many other heavy offenses. Keep away from the typical stuff that can get you into trouble as a civilian and you should do just fine. At the end of the day, it is just a job with some added peculiarities. Anything else?”
John tilted his head, thinking some more, but he shook his head and also shook off any remaining hesitation. He grabbed the tablet and read through the documents before signing and imprinting his thumbprint onto the last page of the agreement.
“Alright! Good choice! You can connect to the local area network and review the job handbook when you have time. Just ask the receptionist to get you set up. As the job posting mentioned, you can start right away. Would now be a good time?”
John was a bit shocked, but he was more than fine with an immediate start.
“Yes, please. The sooner the better.”
“Perfect! That’s just what I wanted to hear! You wanted to live on-site, correct?”
John fervently nodded his head.
“Ok then! The first thing on the agenda is to get you moved in. Three meals are also provided along with room and board, but you will need to take the prepared meals when you are out on actual missions. But for today, you will report after lunch for training on the lower floors. I will show you to your shared room. After lunch, you can speak to a receptionist on the lobby floor to guide you to the training grounds. Let’s make haste; lunch is but a few hours away.”
Ethan brought John into an elevator in the lobby area. The digital display gradually rose until it showed the tenth and also the top floor of the towering cement structure. Coming out of the elevator, Ethan told John to wait as he left to grab some supplies. He came back with an armful and led him to a door with one of the two name plaques missing. Motioning his hand, he told John to grab hold of the items before dropping down a week’s set of camouflage training clothes and a key.
“This will be your shared room, room 10-B2. All rookies will be given residence on the top floor. As you move through the ranks, you will be able to request living quarters on the floors closer to ground level. Those trying to move up the ladder want to live closer to the lower floors for quicker access. As you can see on the door, your roommate’s name is Nathan Sanders. Try to get along. We prefer not to waste time and move people around, but it does happen. Lunch starts at 11 AM and ends at 1 PM. Be sure to get to the training grounds by 1:30 PM sharp. You can ask the receptionist for a cart to help you move your belongings. That pretty much sums up all you need for now. Questions?”
John shook his head as he replied, “So unpack, eat lunch, and get to the training grounds by 1:30, right?”
Ethan smiled. “Yup! That about sums it up. Alright, John. See you around. Good luck! I will be hoping to hear good news about you!”
“Thank you, Ethan, for all your help.”
Waving goodbye to John as he left, Ethan abruptly turned around and gave John one last piece of advice.
“The instructor from Hell can be an asshole, but he knows how to do his job. He’s saved many of your fellow senior Field Workers. But if he gives you or anyone a hard time, let me know and I’ll file a complaint with the military. First World may be working with the military, but we are not part of them.”
John nodded his head, feeling an uncomfortable and unsettling feeling in his gut. But he still did not know if it was simply because he was starving or if there was an ominous moment to come.