Contemplative Sensitivity

The Shadis Internship

The day before the house party, Erwin built up the courage to dial Keith Shadis' number. Levi and Mike, who had begged him to put the phone on speaker, were sitting a few feet from him at the dining room table.

"Are you gonna dial or what?" Levi asked impatiently. "Your finger has been looming over the pound key for the past hour."

"I don't know why your so nervous," Mike sniffed. "You have the brains of a mad scientist, Erwin."

"I should be proud of being insane?" Erwin asked warily. His heart was beating fast. He wasn't feeling confident. "I'll probably blow it if its true what you say."

Levi and Mike gave each other a quick look, snatched the card from Erwin and Mike dialed the number. Levi restrained Erwin; he had Erwin's wrists in a death grip.

"Hey!" Erwin yelled, all flustered. "Guys quit it!"

"Erwin if you are so afraid of messing up then let Mike do it," Levi commanded with a smile on his face. "Mike can sell a lie."

"I call it being persuassive," Mike said smoothly. Then he abruptly put his hand up and said, "Hello, I would like to speak with Professor Shadis. I'm interested in his internship program--I think I'm one of the most qualified applicants."

Erwin's heart stopped and Levi was jabbing him in the ribs. While Levi's eyes were sparkling in anticipation, Erwin's eyes were sparkling in terror. He broke free of Levi's grasp and pressed the speaker button so hard he was sure he had fractured his pointer finger. To Levi and Erwin's surprise, a woman was on the phone. Probably a secretary...but this woman's voice sounded incredibly young.

"Ah, so he isn't in," Mike continued. "I'd love to leave a message."

"Yes," the woman said. "Begin."

"My name is Erwin Smith Brown and I was recommended by a gentleman by the name of Pixis." Mike said without stumbling. "I am the leader of the award winning science club at Arlert Academy, and I am a dedicated student aide under the Astronomy teacher, Martha Brown. I am a sixteen year old senior and I am in fact interested in Leonhardt University. My number is..."

"Alrighty," the woman said, "I will inform him as soon as he return from the lab. I need you to FAX your resume and recommendations immediately after you hang up. He will call you if he feels you meet the requirements. Is there anything else you want to add?"

Erwin cut in. "Please reiterate that I know his friend Dr. Pixis and he was the one to suggest I seek him out."

After hearing a scribbling noise, the woman said thanks and hung up. There was a pause before Erwin let out a breath.

"See? You didn't shit yourself and it went smoothly." Levi said simply. "Now that that's over with, let's talk about Farlan's party: should we invite Hanji?"

Mike stiffened so openly that Erwin raised his eyebrows. "I may not be going but if I were I wouldn't want to have to babysit a twelve year old girl so...no."

"Hanji looks older than twelve," Mike mumbled.

Erwin ignored him. "Why were you even thinking about it, Levi?"

"It had been a while since we invited her anywhere," Levi said. "Besides someone here--,"

"Why don't you take her to the interview," Mike said hastily. "She's a real science geek. And she has been wanting to spend time with us all. She doesn't care who she hangs out with. Take her."

Erwin squinted his eyes, "Something tells me one of you made a promise without thinking."

Levi pointed at Mike with his thumb. "That guy."