Office Room 042, Slum City

[Bootsiuv]

James cleared his throat before he spoke, to avoid any embarrassing crackling, and to try and hide the fact that he was clearly more intimidated by this situation than he thought he should have been.

"Well, sir. I'm here because I want to make something of myself, and....", James paused, trying to find the right words, as it began to dawn on him that Joe was undoubtedly seeing how he handled himself under pressure.

After repositioning himself in his seat, he continued to speak..."and I am quite interested in what it is you do here."

As he completed his sentence, James studied Joe's response, looking for any signs or signals what this man, who seemed larger than life, thought of him. Joe gave none. He sat with a stern, silent expression.

An akward silence ensued.

Beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable, James continued....

"I am interested in joining the Security Division, and learning what it is to protect that which I love. Now that my mother has passed, my home is the only thing that I have to care about, so I thought it appropriate to apply to protect that which has protected me since I was a small boy."

As he completed his sentence, James waited for Joe to reply, again feeling an increasing uncomfort with being under this man's microscope.

He reminded himself that this was what he had asked for, this is what he had wanted, although the entire situation seemed much less intimidating when he was day-dreaming in his apartment.

Although James was clearly nervous, he also felt a strange connection to this man, who was clearly as well-educated as he, perhaps even more so. His mother had always harped on him to complete his studies, and demanded that he study even more than his teachers required, when his friends were out playing in the streets of Slum City. There had been so many times when he felt so angry with her for keeping him from having fun....now, he felt grateful that she had taken the time to prepare him for this day....

"Well, sir? How may I assist you further?" James said, clearing another nervous lump from his throat.

And there Joe sat, silent, clearly studying the subject before him....

After what seemed like an eternity, it looked as if Joe had something to say....

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