A Whole New World

chapter 5

Jake's POV

I had walked into the office building and saw that there were a lot of people still waiting to be interviewed. I saw an open chair and sat down. I was already nervous. What was I going to tell them? That in the world I actually grew up in I knew how to build? I hadn't even thought this through. In my small state of panic, I looked up and saw a man staring at me. His eyes were intense and I immediately became self-conscious, had I done something to make this guy angry with me? He came closer to me and spoke in a deep voice, "You're Jake right?" Great. Just how many people actually read the newspaper here? I was getting really tired of everyone asking me that. But I shook the thought from my head and looked at him. A small stammer came from my lips, "Y..Yes sir, it is." He laughed a booming laugh, "Haha! Dude, Sir is my father. You can call me Luis." He held his hand out and I shook. He sat down in the chair that just opened up, "So, you're looking for a job, Jake?" He was staring at me with intense eyes, "Yes I am. People are really nice here but I feel like I should at least get a job to pay for things. I'm a man right? And as a man, I'm going to work for my food. Not take advantage of the people.

Luis smiled, "It's nice to hear that man. Say, where you from?" I grew nervous. I couldn't really remember but I answered him with what I did know, "I'm from Chicago. I joined the army and somehow, I woke up here." He laughed, "No worries, you'll get used to it and learn to go with the flow. Just stay calm and keep a level head, soldier." I nodded my head, "Sir yes Sir!" He laughed again and I couldn't help but chuckle also. We both looked up to see a big, tall, bald headed man come out, "Alright everyone, listen up! This next hour will be the last for interviews. That means we will have an actual object that you are to build. Anyone who does not wish to stay may leave now." There were a few groans from the men standing around and a lot of them left. I looked all around the room and watched as all the men were leaving. Luis whispered to me, "You gonna quit dude?" I laughed at him, "Haha and let you take my job?! No way man!" He and I laughed and the bald headed man came up to us. He looked at us, "Luis! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the room." Oh my GOD!!! HE WORKED HERE?! And I had told him I wouldn't let him take my job!

Luis must have seen the panic on my face because he started to laugh extremely loud. By the time he was done laughing, he was fighting to catch his breath, "Dude, you should have seen your face! The look was priceless!" I was embarrassed and if I hadn't of looked down, I would have blushed. He stood up, "Follow me to the interview room man. We'll have you do an actual simulation to see just how well your people and building skills are." I stood up and followed him and bald headed guy. He had me sit down and bald head guy brought me wooden blocks, nails, and a hammer. When it was placed in front of me, I was asked, "You are to make a birdhouse. You have half an hour. You may begin." I grabbed the piece of wood and placed it at the bottom. I messed with the guys and made them think that I couldn't build. I dropped a piece of wood on the floor. They looked down and rubbed their eyes. I laughed to myself and they got up and left the room.

I walked out of the room and heard them talking, "This guy is hopeless. He used the wrong piece of wood and he dropped another piece. What are we going to do?" Luis pointed his head towards me, "It looks like Jake has finished his birdhouse." They looked a little sad and thought that I had quit because I had finished so fast. They walked in and saw a bird house built perfectly. The wood was perfectly placed on each side. It was level and I had also managed to paint it. The bald man and Luis both dropped their mouths. The bald man smiled and shook my hand, "Welcome to the team, Jake. My name is Jason by the way and I'll be your boss." Luis came to me, "You had me going for a second there man! What the hell!?" I laughed at him, "That was for making me think you were going to take my job and not telling me you worked here!" He smirked and laughed again, "You know. I like you. You're cool." He punched my shoulder and it seemed liked I had made my very first friend here.

The bald man came back, "You start tomorrow at 7 am sharp. If you're late, you're fired." I took the tool belt he had in his hand and the helmet, "I won't be late sir. I'll be there at 7."

Luis walked out with me after the interview was over, "Dude you did it! You are now in the building club. Remember to be there at 7 sharp. If you are even a minute late, you will be fired. No worries though, you can start being late to work after a month because by then the boss will know you." I laughed, "So in a month I can show up late to work? Isn't that bad?" Luis laughed again, "Dude, it's a month and trust me, this job takes a lot out of you. You will be crashing for the first month until you get used to the work."Really? Well I am ready to work so I'll be prepared." Luis walked with me over to a small restaurant and we ordered burgers.

After we had finished eating, he paid and we left the restaurant. When we got outside, he looked intently at me, "Dude, you are creeping me out a little bit. Please stop staring at me like that?" He laughed but then spoke in a serious tone, "You look like you have met someone already? Who is she?" I smiled, "Boy you sure don't believe in wasting time do you? And why should i tell you?" He laughed, "Because! i will be your best friend here so far and I think it's only fair that i know." I laughed, "Well, you are a good guy. Her name is Savannah. She's the..." He interrupted me, "She's the best doctor here. She's a nice girl. But she does have a boyfriend." I have never told a lie in my life before but I lied to him, "I don't like her if that's what you think." He caught me blushing, "Oh please! Just admit you have feelings for her and we can move on from this. Besides, she won't be hearing anything from me." I laughed and became a little embarrassed that he saw through me so quickly but I answered him, "I do like her. But she wouldn't notice a guy like me." Luis sighed, "You don't know the half of it bro." I was a little confused but let it go. We walked to my small cottage I was staying at and he made himself right at home.