A prompt a week - 52. Cameron's Interview - Prompt 718

There are days where you feel invincible, and others where you wish the ground beneath you would open up and swallow you whole. Today was one of those days where I experienced both. Some how it just wasn’t the interview I had planned.

My name is Cameron Ruiz. Before you get any ideas, I’m a short guy, with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and pale skin. For some unknown reason people hear Cameron and think tall blond rich kid. That so isn’t me. My parents never married, but my dad was really involved in my life. He helped me get into college, paid most of it if I’m honest, and told me to always go after my dreams. Mom was a lot more down to earth. When we walked back into the apartment after my graduation she waited ‘til I took off my cap and gown before she laid into me.

“Cam, I’m proud of you. Now that you graduated you need to find a job and pay your own way. You’re about to come off all our insurances and you’ll have the rest of your college bills to pay off. Now that you have that degree, use it!”

“Mom, I just got my degree today.”

“I know baby. So, enjoy the weekend and come Monday, your ass is out looking for a real job.” Mom patted my arm and left me alone in my bedroom.

Needless to say I didn’t head out to party or have fun. Instead, I got online and began sending my resume out to everyone. I mean I literally sat that there and filled out application after application for six hours straight.

“Cam, if you are not going out, stop playing on your computer, and come help me make dinner.” Mom called from the kitchen.

“I’m not…,” I stopped and just sighed. I turned off the computer and went out to help her.

After dinner I checked my email and was shocked to find I had some interested in. They were having interviews on Monday. I had to be at the office at nine in the morning.

“Mom, I got an interview on Monday!”

“That’s nice. Let’s hope you get the job. What do you know about the company?”

“Um, not much.”

”Well, do your research.”

That was how I spent my Sunday. The company was originally called McMillan Graphics and Designs. It was started in 1948, but over time it diversified and bought into many other businesses. It was now known as MCM Incorporated and had offices all over the world. I was being interviewed for their computer graphics for movie technology division. I could end up working in Hollywood in California, London in England, or Mumbai in India. Basically, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity I had stumbled into.

I carefully hung my suit over the door, picked out my best dress shirt and tie. Then I sat and shined my only pair of dress shoes before taking a shower. I fell into bed and nervously watched the clock, finally falling asleep around midnight.

Bam! Bam! Bam! “Cameron Michael Ruiz get your ass up and get ready for your interview.”

I rolled bleary eyed out of bed and looked at the clock. It was five fifty-four in the morning. I stumbled to the bathroom and took care of business.

“I made coffee and left a bagel on the table. Good luck!” Mom just shouted to me as she rushed out to catch her train.

I ate the bagel and swallowed the coffee standing in the kitchen in my underwear. I was afraid to eat while dressed, figuring with my luck I’d get something all over me.

I made sure to pack my portfolio from school and my letter of recommendation from the job I had interning in college. Luckily, that had been a paying job but not a permanent one. I dressed in my suit and made a mad dash to the train.

The ride into the city took about forty minutes and then I caught the bus to within a block of MCM Incorporated’s office.

“Good morning, Sir. How may I be of assistance?” The security guard stepped forward as soon as I crossed into the lobby.

“I have an appointment with Mrs. Blackett about the computer graphics position. My name is Cameron Ruiz.”

The guard looked over a sheet that sat on his desk. “Yes, Mr. Ruiz. Your interview is on the seventh floor. Take the elevator up. It is room 703. It will be on the left side. Good luck.”

“Thank you.” I took the elevator up and then walked to room 703. Inside were a few chairs and a secretary. As I stood there four other interviewees arrived.

“May I have your name, Sir?”

“Cameron Ruiz.”

”Ah, yes. Your next. If you’ll take a seat, Mrs. Blackett will be with you after she finishes her present interview.”

I took a seat and the others signed in. The last one asked how many were being interviewed and the secretary was fairly forth coming.

“Just six of you for the one position. Mrs. Blackett was impressed with all of your resumes and will make her final decision for the job before Wednesday, to be honest.”

That set off my stomach and my nerves.

“Where is the bathroom?” I stood nervously at the desk.

“Go out the door, turn left. The bathroom is the fifth door on your right.”

I hurried to the bathroom. I was a nervous wreck. I took care of business, washed up, grabbed my suitcase and hurried back the office. I barely walked in the door as the secretary stood up.

“Mr. Ruiz, your just in time.” She pointed toward the main door which opened and a man I assumed was the first applicant came out.

I hurried toward the door and heard the other applicants laughing. I didn’t have time to discover why as Mrs. Blackett shut the door and shook my hand.

“I’m Julianna Blackett. Nice to meet you, Mr. Ruiz. Please, have a seat.”

She sat across from me and immediately launched into question after question, about my schooling, work experience, and my knowledge of the company. I felt I was doing very well, until I happened to glance down and noticed the toilet paper stuck to my shoe. I completely lost the line of questioning and did my best to hide it behind my other shoe.

“I’m sorry, could you, ah, repeat that Mrs. Blackett?”

“I was asking if you did get the job, do you have a passport and are you willing to work in a foreign country?”

“I applied for a passport on Saturday, as a precaution. I have no issues traveling or working in another country.”

She smiled and notated something on her clipboard.

I ran my palm down my leg and that is when I felt my pants move. My zipper slipped and suddenly my fly was open. I discretely moved my briefcase over my lap, hiding my bright blue boxers that were now exposed.

“Well,” Mrs. Blackett stood up and smiled. “I think that about covers it all. I know you asked about our 401k and health benefits. Were there any other questions for me at this time?”

“None at this time. Thank you for the interview.” I stood and made damn sure to keep the briefcase hiding my zipper. “Oh, when might I know your decision about the job?”

“My secretary will contact everyone about my decision on Wednesday afternoon.” She turned and began walking to the door.

I quickly fixed my zipper and snatched the toilet paper off my shoe, tucking it into my pocket. As I was about to exit, Mrs. Blackett touched my arm and smiled.

“It isn’t everyday someone has the, um, issues you did during the interview. I’m impressed how you carried on, staying focused on the interview and the information, even if it did hurt your dignity.”

I blushed. “Thank you for not making it an issue.”

She laughed and shook my hand as I headed out. It might not have been a perfect interview but I at least felt I had done a good job. I hoped Wednesday might find me employed.