Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)

The Interview

Frank's palms were sweating as he waited for the the secretary to call his name. He had applied for a job at Demeter's Gardening Supplies and he was hoping that this could be a job he could keep. He fidgeted in the stiff, wicker chair while classical music played in the background.

Magazines about nature and gardening with titles like How to Fight Aphids and Tomatoes: Fruit or Veggies? were laid out on a smooth, wooden table. The office smelled like dirt and fresh growing things. It was crammed full of plants and Frank worried he'd end up squashing one of them if Demeter's secretary didn't call his name soon.

"Frank Zhang," someone said.

Frank got to his feet and met the gaze of a man who appeared to be in his early thirties. He had curly hair the color of dead leaves and eyes that were the color of fresh celery. His fingernails were coated in dirt, but his smile was clean and his eyes were welcoming.

"You are our newest applicant?" He asked as he led Frank back to his office. "My name is — well, it's kind of long. You can just call me Trip."

Frank smiled as he sat down on the sofa in Trip's office. There were posters up about protecting Mother Nature and the scent of the place reminded him of the incense his grandmother used to burn. Frank got the impression from Tripp's office, nicely groomed beard, and plaid button-down that he was an environmental hipster.

"So what could you bring to our job?" Trip asked. "What special quality would you add to our place?"

I have no special qualities, Frank thought.

Instead of voicing these thoughts, he said, "I am a determined worker. I am not afraid of hard work or danger. I served in the military and I will bring the kind of fortitude and work which are required for military service to your company."

"You're offering to put down your gun to plant trees?" Trip asked.

Frank doubted he would be planting many trees on the job, but he merely nodded.

"Well, well," Trip said. "This would make a great ad. We could use you in a recruitment ad. It's hard to find good employees. They all quit after the first day. Maybe once you become an expert, you can even help teach courses for my online university."

"Online university?" Frank echoed.

"Yes!" Trip said, jumping to his feet. "I just published the website a month ago and I already have five students enrolled."

Frank resisted the urge to ask if all the students were employees at Demeter's Gardening Supplies. Maybe that was why there was so much turnover here.

"Frank Zhang, you are hired," Trip said. "If you'll fill out the paperwork online, then you can begin paid training tomorrow and start working within a week. Once you work here for six months, you are eligible for health insurance and other benefits like two weeks of paid family leave, a week of paid vacation, 12 sick days, and a generous employee discount."

"That's great," Frank said, smiling so much that is hurt. "I'll see you, tomorrow, then."

He shook hands with Trip and then left the room feeling like the seeds he had planted and watered were finally beginning to sprout.