The news was on, what was even more amazing was that there was still electricity. The electricity woman must have a thing for him or something. He hasn’t paid the electricity bill in over 2 weeks and he’s savoring it while it lasts. He flips through a paper looking for available jobs. Something catches his eye in the job’s section, an assistant with free housing and meals. Perfect. He says the pay, which is also better than he thinks he would find. Now he’s disappointed because it is likely that he won’t get such a nice job especially with the economy as it is. People look panicked on the TV. Austin un-mutes the TV and listens as a reporter speaks with an interesting look on her face. “...people here have just experienced yet another tragic attack brought on by what may have been one of the worst mistakes humankind has made.” “The founder of one of the most popular computer companies, InterAct, the creator of the line of interactive computers that many say has revolutionized the world as we know it…” He turns the TV off. ‘I’ve heard enough of that lately,’ he thinks. He calls up the number on the ad for the job. They would like to interview him on Monday. Two days is plenty of time for him to get prepared.
He grabs his keys and walks out the door, locking it. Outside he feels the warmth of the sun, the breeze playing with his hair and a feeling of excitement. This could be his big break. With the world in such a war and with economy doing so bad he would be lucky to get this job. He needs to get ready for the job, get ready physically to go to the interview and also mentally. The reason he is out of his old job is because of his nervousness. If he can just become calmer then he should be set. He picks up a laundry bag and heads back to his room. What a perfect way to fix his problems: the internet. It was surprising he even had a computer what with the computers becoming smart enough to strike back against us. Most people’s computers were destroyed when the computers began malfunctioning. Luckily for Austin his computer was so old and such a piece of garbage that the government let him keep it.
A quick Google search on ‘How to relax during an interview’ brings up several choices. One them was already dark blue, meaning that he had already used that one before. He avoided that one as the advice didn’t really help him at all before, just made him look worse. ‘Funniest things to do during a job interview’ also was something he didn’t pull up, maybe later when he wanted a good laugh. Then, he sees a perfect one, written by some sort of psychologist professor or whatnot. He checks that one. The computer buzzes and it seems as if the loading bar is going ridiculously slow. “Finally,” Austin exclaims. Patience also isn’t one of Austin’s strong points. Hopefully he isn’t going to have to wait outside the interview for long. Back to the article, it brings up a lot of helpful information. “Breathing is key, breathe slowly and focus on your breathing.” The article has links to several links to YouTube which he clicks. They are supposed to teach him how to breathe slowly and stay calm. He opens one in a new tab. After it finishes buffering, which takes painfully long he starts it. A lady, either in her late twenties or early thirties appears on the screen. “I’m going to teach you how to relieve stress easily.” Hopefully this video will help Austin relieve his stress and help him during the interview. The lady goes on a bit longer until she begins. “First step is to close your eyes, although if you have good practice you won’t have to.” Austin closes his eyes. “Focus on just your breath, and your body in relation to your breathing.” Austin tries to focus, but his brain just won’t stop thinking. “Begin your breaths, breathing only through your nose, breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, and breathe out; good.” Austin begins his breathes and his mind begins to clear. He feels a lot calmer. The lady interrupts his peaceful mind with: “Practice your breathing often, also remember to remember your breaths before and during a stressful situation.” Austin exits out of the tab. The article also mentions to get adequate sleep. Looking at the clock he sees that it’s 9:30. He starts to get ready for bed. He practices his breathes before going to sleep.
Austin yawns and stretches. He looks at the clock, it’s 7:30. ‘Wow, I woke up ridiculously early,’ he thinks as he gets dressed and walks towards the kitchen. ‘Great, cold cereal with a little milk just how I like my breakfast,’ he thinks as he slowly eats his breakfast. He hopes that the food at his new job will be better than what he has now, if he gets it that is. After he finishes his breakfast he brushes his teeth and hops in the shower. He’s instantly hit by a freezing rush of water. He’s used to it though so he doesn’t mind. He looks at the miniscule piece of soap he has left. ‘Hopefully the have nice showers at my new job,’ he says, optimistic. After the shower he puts on some clean clothes sticking his dirty ones in the laundry bag he got earlier. He’ll take it to the apartment washer: a dusty old thing that makes more noise than it cleans closes, ‘and a nicer washer.’
He contemplates going out for a run and decides to because he needs to keep fit. He puts on his worn shoes, they used to look nice. He remembers when he used to run cross-country and how these shoes helped him do well. He heads outside, again locking the door behind him. He’s glad he can still go outside, that his city is still safe. Not many people out on the streets. The people that are on the streets look rather mean. He decides to go his usual route seeing some of his favorite places to eat and recognizing people he knows. Too bad he hasn’t been able to go to any of then without sufficient funds. He remembers how deliciously satisfying the food is there and the memories that go with them. He did go on many dates before he lost his job. Now he hasn’t had the money, although he has had plenty of time. ‘Oh well memories are just that: memories.’ He sees his apartment in the distance and knows he’s almost finished. A quick burst of adrenaline pushes him to sprint all the way back. “Whew I am out of shape,” he exclaims after entering his room. He again works on his breathing; he’s getting better at it.
After a quick lunch he returns to his computer. He pulls up Facebook, reverted to its old form after the crisis. The computers actually were an awesome piece of equipment, a great idea by the inventor of CEO of InterAct. He hadn’t actually used the computers but he’s heard much about them. They somehow can read your mind on what you want to do and can find things that you might enjoy. InterAct quickly became partnered with Google and was integrated into Google search, Gmail, and YouTube. He remembers when it was first being released he thought it would be such an awesome thing. It was released right after Austin lost his job so no luck there. After Austin got bored of the computer he cleaned up the apartment and began practicing his breathing. He wondered what he would take to his new living quarters. Most people would think as his stuff as garbage but he had so many memories associated with them that he wanted to keep a lot of it. He ate a quick dinner and headed to sleep.
He woke up even earlier the next day, 6:30 to be exact. Following his usually morning ritual ate and showered. He looked through the closet for the suit he would use for his interview, brushed the dust off of it and looked at it with overall distaste. Hopefully the interviewer didn’t mind its worn general worn out look. His interview was at 2 and it was just a 10 minute walk away. He had some time to kill. He got back on the computer and pulled up the article. Another thing it advised to do was to be prepared for the questions the interviewer would ask you. He follows a link to a questionnaire and begins filling it out. He was glad he did, some of the questions would have been extremely hard to answer in person. He struggled with one specific question: ‘What were his greatness weaknesses?’ He supposed it was probably being extremely stressed out and having to work through the stress by himself. It was probably the epitome of Austin’s situation right now.
Austin was ready for the interview now; he ate a quick snack and put on his suit. Checking the mirror he thought, ‘It doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would be.’ He headed outside and locked the door behind him. After walking for quite some time he saw the building loom ahead. It certainly looked nice; he entered and immediately noticed the receptionist. He walked quickly towards her and said, “I have an appointment with…” he quickly glances at a note in his pocket, “ahh yes, his name is Mr. Sanderson.” “Hmm,” the receptionist says as she types into the computer, “You’re early, but that’s alright.” “All you need to do is head down the hall to the left,” she says pointing, “and it will be the third door on the right. He walks down the hall while looking around at the pictures on the wall. Some famous people he didn’t know smiled at him. When he reached the door he remembered his breathing and calmed himself down.
He remembered what he would say to Mr. Sanderson and then he knocked on the door. “Who is it,” a friendly but questioning voice called. “I’m here for the interview, Austin Beckham,” he replies. “You’re early, come in,” Mr. Sanderson says, a bit surprised. Austin opens the door into a medium sized office. A single desk, with a very nice looking computer on it is one side of the room with a big office chair holding what Austin assumes is Mr. Sanderson. He looks friendly enough, with short, combed, brown hair with blue eyes and a flawless smile. He was wearing a suit probably many times more expensive than Austin’s. Plaques and pictures of what could be assumed to be Mr. Sanderson’s family clutter the walls. A simple chair faces the desk, most likely brought in especially for the interview.
“Sit down,” Mr. Sanderson says. Austin sits and makes himself comfortable. Remembering the advice he focuses on his breathing as Mr. Sanderson starts the interview. Austin did well on the questions, pausing few times. He reached the hardest question: What were his greatest weaknesses? Austin was ready and feeling good though. After they were done Mr. Sanderson said “I think you would perform well for this job.” “I would usually contact you in a week’s time but there isn’t much time for that.” “Great,” Austin exclaims, hardly containing his excitement, “Can you tell me a little bit about the job?” “Yes, you will mainly be assisting me whilst we study the computers malfunctioning.” “You will be going aboard a vessel with me and other crew members and it won’t be entirely safe.” After giving it some thought, Austin said “I’ll do it.” “Great, you need to get all the belongings you need and meet here tomorrow.” “I’ll be here,” Austin says. “Alright, you can go,” Mr. Sanderson says with a wave of his arm. Austin leaves, overwhelmed by excitement, curiosity and extreme nervousness.
He heads back to his apartment for the last time. He heads to the foreman’s office. ‘Here we go,’ he thinks, letting out a sigh of exasperation as he knocks. “Who is it?” someone within says harshly. “Austin,” he replies. “Well don’t just stand there, come in.” Austin opens the door and walks in. “So what is this about?” the foreman questions. “I’ve got a job supplying me with a room to stay so I’m going to not be renting anymore,” Austin says waiting for the foreman’s harsh reply. “Good,” the foreman says, “Is that all?” “Yes.” “Well then get out of here,” the foreman says then goes back to his work. “I will, goodbye,” Austin says as he leaves. ‘That went better than I expected,’ Austin thinks as he returns to his room excited for his new life. He begins packing all his belongings and manages to stuff it all into a couple of bags. He drops his keys off at the foreman’s office and gets ready for his new life.
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