50 Bite-sized stories

VI : Dangerously honest

"Befriend the man who is brutally honest, for honesty is the highest form of respect." - Daniel Saint

George Simpleton had a very uncommon family name. His bright red hair was gelled straight for not more than a minute that they sprung back up. Apart from his oversized grin and bright blue eyes, his eyebrows were always twitching from time to time.

But what was most unsettling for him was his undying, absolutely troublesome and unbearably natural habit to always spit the truth.

It was unfortunately the same habit that deprived him of friends who lasted long. The lengthiest friendship he had was in college where he stuck around with a reluctant foreigner for an entire semester.

His life was lonely and he had nobody but his goldfish in a small water bowl in the living room.

"Today is a big day, Maddie!" He grinned widely and placed his lips sloppily on the glass of the fishbowl. "I am finally being called for an interview!"

He danced around, fixing his necktie and singing a happy song. The poor creature only breathed out a few bubbles in response.

At 8:45, he hurriedly paced out of the house, but not before winking at the mirror.

To say the place was gloomy would be an understatement. George stepped into the building and was escorted to the 20th floor, where the interviews would be held. As he sat in the queue of around 15, his nervousness grew. He was certainly not worried about his resume and qualifications which were pretty decent. What he was anxious about was his 'oh so honest' tongue.

"Mr. Simpleton"

He stopped tapping his foot on the ground when he heard his name being called.

"That's me!" He exclaimed and quickly shuffled to his feet. Clutching the file in his hands, he walked to the door and knocked twice.

"Come in!" A voice called out and he turned the knob. The room was very brightly painted and so decorated that it hardly looked like a workplace. But what caught his attention was the pleasantly healthy woman seated behind the table, her hands folded professionally on the table.

"Well, aren't you very plump!" He exclaimed and immediately clasped his mouth shut.

"Excuse me?" The lady narrowed her eyes.

The man simply shook his head. The lady sighed and took a deep breath.

"Take a seat, er_ Mr. Simpleton."

"Yes ma'am." He walked over and sat in front of her, trying to control himself from saying anything else.

"Please quit biting your nails." She gave a disgusted look and his hand immediately shot down.

The room went silent for a while as she scanned through his resume.

"Pink is pretty bright for an office don't you think?"

"What?" She looked up, her steely gaze falling upon him from behind the glasses.

"Nothing!" He averted his gaze and bit the inside of his mouth in an attempt to control his words.

But it seems his mouth had a will of its own.

"Mr. Simpleton, why exactly do you want this job?" she asked, putting her glasses aside.

"Because I need it to run the errands," he answered simply.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise at his straight forward and might I add, very blunt, reply.

"Why this job, then? There are easily a ton of other ways to earn a living." she pressed further.

"Well, of what use are these degrees then?" He bit lips and mentally cursed himself to shut up.

"Then, why didn't you get another such job till now? Seemingly you were desperate for this one." She narrowed her eyes.

That was it.

"Firstly, lady, you have no right to mock me. Secondly, it was my wish that I applied here. Thirdly, they didn't like my honesty and lastly, give me the job if you want, else don't!" He burst out on her and didn't realize when he was on his feet and pressing his hands on the polished surface of the table.

The lady closed her eyes and stroked the creases on her forehead. George gulped and felt the horrified face set in as he realized he was done for.

He mentally scolded himself. Why? Just why couldn't you shut up for once?

"Congratulations, Mr. Simpleton. We look forward to working with you" Were the few words that made him freeze. He looked up to see the lady smiling widely.

"We are in need of honest employees like you who can speak their minds without being afraid. You can get started from tomorrow itself!"

"Are you serious?" He whispered and she chuckled.

"Yes, very."

"OH MY GOD!" He yelped and shook her hand rapidly. He thanked her and began to leave the room but not without calling back, "Please change the color of your office. It makes me want to puke!"

----------------

That was part 6!

Do comment if you like my writing!

٩(◕‿◕)۶