It was a gloomy day, dark Sunday but for Rebecca Hunt it was the most important day in her life. But in a way she never imagined, in a way she never thought.
Today, she was going for an interview in one of the most prestigious companies in the world, the OSBC. She was one of the twenty- two shortlisted for a reputable position of Regional Manager. She got ready to go, dressing in her best suit and got into her BMWX 3.
The appointment was at 10:15 and the time right then was 9:30. She would be just in time to reach Seattle, where the OSBC headquarters was.
She felt the usual tingles of nerves. She had so far served five jobs but none of them combined would give her the same salary if she got this job.
Driving through the nearby-deserted streets, within half an hour she reached her destination. The OSBC headquarters was a huge, glass-paned, 35 floored building. She locked her car, reported to the volunteer there and settled where nine more ladies and four men were waiting to be called.
She revised her notes, her lines to say and calmed herself. She checked her watch. It was 10:14 now. Any moment, her name would be called. Her heart beat faster. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous; perhaps it was because this job was dear to her; she never wanted anything so much in her life.
‘Ms. Rebecca Hunt!’ the volunteer called out. She got up to her feet. She followed the volunteer as he led the way. ‘All the best’ he told her as he left her, near the door. She inhaled sharply and knocked the door.
‘Come in!’ a muffed voice said from the other side of the door. She slowly opened it and steeped inside with her right leg first. She had heard somewhere that entering a place with your right leg first brought you good luck.
The room was painted peach. It was a big and furnished. Sitting on the left was three well dressed men and on the right was an aquarium. The man who was sitting in the middle seemed vaguely familiar to her. I have seen him somewhere she thought, staring at the man, still standing at the doorway I know him ………….then it hit her. ‘Tony Macmillian!’ she cried.
The other two gentlemen looked at her, shocked by her manners. One man stated, ‘Mr. Tony Macmillian’ his tone plainly showed his disapproval.
‘Hello Rebecca. Long time, no see’ Tony said smiling, adjusting his badge that read “CEO”. She stood there still, remembering those days………
She was nineteen then, studying at Harvard University. She was one of the top students in her batch. In the same batch was Tony Macmillian and his “worthless, wretched” gang. She thought of him “too low”; those didn’t get good marks weren’t in the top of her lists. She had once sneered at him that he would never reach anywhere good; that she would be in a better position than him in life-“superior” to him.
And yet, where did he stand and where did she? He was the CEO of OSBC – a million dollar company where, she, she the topper of her batch, was begging for a job. And if by some luck she did get the job, she would have to address Tony as “Sir”.
As if in a trance, she walked to a chair which Tony gestured. For the first time, she had a feeling that she had a feeling that there could be people who are talented than her. Her arrogance, that supercilious behavior, seemed to crash like an airplane. She was humbled by the least studious student of her batch.
‘Good Morning, Respected Sirs’ she said, giving a polite smile. As you can see my CV, I am qualified in…………….’
What I want to tell you, my friends, by this story is to never underestimate anyone in your life. One day, perhaps, they might be in better position than you are. ALWAYS be humble. Don’t let your pride and arrogance get better of you. Remember this when you are famous; when you are in a reputable position.
