“Excuse me Frank, someone is calling you!” a robotic voice resonated while the black smartphone flashed and vibrated on the nightstand.
It was a cold California morning and since it was Monday, getting to the phone in the dark was a slow process.
“This is Frank,” he finally answered in a deep phlegmy voice. Then he cleared his throat while listening for a reply.
“Special Agent number four, this is S.T.A.B.L.E. headquarters,” the serious tone was menacing. He demanded attention, “You will be getting a call from a contracting company for a most difficult and treacherous job. This is a major advancement in our war against the enemy, the insidious C.L.O.W.N. organization. You will be on your own for the most part, but there will be a contact to assist you from time to time. Please contact your Surveyor with any questions,” the line cut immediately.
Working for S.T.A.B.L.E., the Society of Teams Against Bamboozling and Lying Evildoers hadn’t been easy, but it was exciting and it paid well.
After he hung up, he made a cup of coffee and checked his email. The phone rang again. The caller ID said it was from Oregon. Frank quickly answered it with a, “Hello.”
“Can I speak with Frank Nickels?” the young female voice on the other end asked.
“This is he.”
“Good Morning. My name is Megan Chaskell. I’m with FasterTree Consulting. I found your portfolio and resume on Dice.com and wanted to know if you are interested in an I.T. Support position close to where you live. The position is working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, underneath the Department of the Interior, and it’s in the city you live in, River City. We are located in Portland, Oregon. If you’re interested in it, my boss Pete Lark will fly out to your nearest airport, meet with you, and interview you in person.”
“Yes I am. Where would we meet?”
“I will email you all of the instructions and directions. Please read them. If there are any problems please contact me right away so I can reschedule.”
An hour passed. Frank checked his email and found the message. It stated that Mr. Lark would be on an early flight the very next morning and would meet him at the Hyatt Hotel around three o’clock the same day. Wow things are moving fast, he thought to himself. He rummaged through his closet and found something very professional to wear and got everything ready for the interview.
J.J. Fauria 