Hidden in Plain Sight

Interview, Special Training, and Destiny

Kai's suit jacket was too big. I looked goofy walking up to Borg Tower. My throat felt swollen as I entered the building which may be the location of my internship. Pixal greeted me, trying to conceal her smile. But she failed exponentially.

She brought me up to Borg's office. Cyrus Borg was waiting for me. I sat down opposite him, my leg bouncing up and down at a rapid rate.

"Nervous?" he said.

"No," I said.

"And a terrible liar," Borg said, jotting on a notepad, "Alright, let's begin."

If Cyrus meant 'let your mouth run without stopping while he gazes over resume and transcript' when he said 'let's begin' then I aced the interview. I told Cyrus Borg my entire life story. About how I grew up in a junkyard, how that fostered my love for inventing, how I loved learning new things, about my middle school bully, and how I got a full-ride scholarship to Ninjago Prep. I might've thrown in a few of my mom's favourite embarrassing stories about me. I didn't know, I didn't remember what I said.

Once Cyrus Borg finished looking over my supplemental material and realised that I had no control over my tongue, he put up his hand.

"May I interrupt," he said. My mouth snapped shut and I nodded meekly. "I'm sensing that this is your job interview. Usually, I ask questions."

"Oh. I guess I like the sound of my own voice," I said. Cyrus Borg half-smiled.

"I like you, Jay. You're charismatic, approachable, intelligent, and brimming with creativity. I can't imagine a more suitable personality for my company; even with the untameable chattering."

"Wow," I said, ironically lacking any other words.

"However, I'm curious," Cyrus Borg handed me back my transcript, "Is this right? You've been on academic probation seven times since the ninth grade?"

"Um, yeah, that's true. But I had good reason," I said. Cyrus gestured for me to expound on my excuse. "A few times I took mental health leaves. But mostly I forgot to hand in assignments."

"Forgot?"

"Yeah, forgot."

"Or were you too lazy?"

"Ah, I guess a little bit of both," I said, "But I maintain a scholarship for two years."

"With probation over your head for half of it. My high school level institution would've stripped the scholarship the moment the principal suggested academic probation. It sounds like Ninjago Prep was too lenient. It also says that you got into a physical altercation with another student there."

"That was a matter of love," I said, "I got the girl, by the way."

"Do you know what this says about you?" Cyrus said.

"That I'm suave and good with women?" I said, wishing I could shrink into my seat until I disappeared.

"You are unpredictable. You have all these good qualities with no idea how to apply them. You're fickle. Maybe I hire you and get good results for a few months. But the moment a gust of wind hits you, your work ethic drops and there's nothing I can do but wait it out. You are unreliable. Plus, in the little time we've worked together, you've caused quite the stir around here. Unless you can make a good argument for yourself, I can't overlook these red flags."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Borg. I really am. I guess I'm just learning. I still figuring everything out. And I've changed a lot since those transcripts and our partnership. I'll do my best, I promise," I said.

"I like you, Jay. I really do. But you're going to need to grow up before you can work here," Cyrus Borg said, offering his hand for a shake, "Give it a few years. Then we'll try again."