Finding Ones Place, pt 2
#2 of Finding Ones Place
Finding Ones Place, pt 2
As I enter the building the overwelming sent of popcorn rushes over my senses. I suppose that its a good sales ploy having the snacks right by the entrance to entice one's senses upon entering the video store in order to cause a twing at the back of ones mind while searching for a good movie to watch.
"Dude, are you going to go in or just stand in the doorway forever?" Shadow asks impatientally tapping his foot behind me.
"Of course I'm going, just thought you could use a little more sun out there." I said chidding back at him.
"Haha, very funny now get a move on. Its like 100 degrees out here." Shadow said giving me a slight shove in order to give him the room he needed to get in and out of the heat.
At this point I choose to make my way to the counter while Shadow went on his quest to find a suitable movie. A young vixen stood at the counter and smiled at me as I approached.
"Hello, how can I help you today," she asked with a pleasant smile that showed off exceptionally white teeth.
"Hi there. My name is Donovan and I'm here for my interview." I said as I shifted my wieght from one foot to another.
"Very well, one moment please while I call my manager." She turned her back to me as she reached for a phone behind the counter.
As she dialed I took the time to gaze around the adequetly sized store. Having been dragged in many times by Shadow I was fairly versed in the stores layout. There was the kids movies to just by the entrance. Video game rentals in the back right corner, new releases along the back wall, with tv serieses one the left, and fiction, sci fi, and documentaries scattered along the center area in what looked like no real apparent order.
"Excuse me." came a sharp voice from behind the counter.
"Oh sorry." I said as I wurled around to face the vixen behind the counter again not relizing she had stopped talking on the phone and was now starring at me with her deep blue eyes.
"If you'd like to look around for a minute, my manager will be with you shortly. He is in a conference call and apologizes for the wait." With that she went back to entering items into the computer indicating that our conversation was over.
I shrugged my shoulders and set off looking for Shadow. Not that it was too difficult considering with my height I was able to look over all of the faily tall stands filled with assorted videos. I spotted him in the video game corner looking at a shelf and already holding five cases in his hand.
I strode up behind him and and glanced over his holder attempting to discover the subject of his interest. He was trying to decide between a rpg and fps.
"Which one, which one." He mumbled under his breath while staring intently at the rack.
"I'd go with the one on the right if I were you." I said as I leaned over his shoulder.
I found myself having to step back quickly as he jumped a foot into the air, apparently not realizing that there was anyone behind him.
"Good grief man, what the heck is wrong with you! Don't you know better than to sneak up on someone like that." He said as he tried to catch his breath and regain his composure.
I smiled back at him as he stood infront of me panting, "What are you talking about. I've been here for like two minutes. Its not my fault you are completely oblivious to your surroundings."
"Very funny." As he sands back up straight. A little embarasment showing in his eyes.
"I rather thought so." I said with a hint of deviousness in my gaze.
"Sure fine whatever. So you can't be done with your interview already." He said with his eyes drifting away from the rack that had once again drawn his attention.
"No. He was on the phone so I was told it would be a minute." I said as I joined him in the search for an suitable game.
After a few minutes of searching that seemed to bare no fruits for our labors I looked up and noticed a large looking leapord approaching us from the other side of the store. He wore a keenly pressed blue shirt and blue tie and tan slacks. He looked quite professional and looked to take great pride in his appearance.
"Which one of you is Donovan?" He asked in a strong baritone voice with a firm under tone of authority.
"That would be me sir." I stated as I stepped forward.
He gave me a sten look over before turning and waving his paw to me, "Please follow me."
He lead me back across the store and opened a door on the far side leading into a small office stacked with papers. It had a small desk to one side with a big chair behind it and two smaller chairs infront of it facing towards the desk.
"Please have a seat." He said after closing the door behind me and made his way around to the chair behind the desk.
I sat down this my claws folded in my lap as he shuffled through some papers on his desk to he found my application. He sat there for what seemed like an eternity. He finally set the paper down and simply stared at me like I was a raw peice of meat awaiting to be devoured.
"So my name is Mr. Long." He said as he gazed at me from behind his desk.
"So what makes you think you would be suitable to work here?" He asked as he stared at me through narrowed yellowed eyes.
"Well I have an excellent memory for all the videos I have seen which would be numerous as well as a large gameing background. I could help give the customers a excellent insight into the different genres. As well as I am very flexible when it comes to work hours and am extremely devoted when it comes to my work ethic." I stated having practiced this speach over and over in my mirror several times earlier that morning.
"I see. So do you have an account with us?" he asked in a flat tone giving away nothing.
"Yes, I have had it for several months and have sampled your collection of games and videos quite excetensivly." I stated attempting to match his flat tone though failing slightly.
I had stared down people with knives, guns, muggers, and far worse but this guys stone cold expressionless face was completely unnerving.
"I see." was all he said in that flat tone again.
We went through the usual interview questions such as what hours could I work and did I have any other commitments and such. Never letting his gaze waver or even give off the slightest intent in his tone.
After what seemed like an hour of question and answer he rose from his chair suddenly and I did the same though mine was more from supprise rather than a planned stance. I stuck out his paw to me whith a sudden and very disturbing smile after having been completely emotionless throughout the entire interview.
"Welcome aboard." he said with a very cheerful voice that took me aback.
I took his paw shaking it and must have had a qiute astoundid look upon my face for he just laughed.
"Sorry I find that to be a useful technique to weed out those who can't take the pressure. Kind of my own private screening if you will." He stated with a rather pleased look on his face.
"Right, I can see how that could be useful," as I attempt to regain my compusure and beginning to see how Shadow felt earlier.
"Yes well how soon do you think you could start?" he asked clearly trying to prevent himself from laughing.
"As soon as you need me I suppose."
"Very well, how does tomorrow at 4 sound?" he asked now returning to a more seriouse expression though far from as rock solid as his earlier state.
"Thats fine I'll be here."
"Well ok then. I suppose thats all I need from you then." He said coming around the desk and opening the door for me.
He said good bye as I walked back out into the main area. I began looking for Shadow upon exiting and found him sifting through a stack of classics.
"So are you ready to go?" I ask in an attempt to ensure that none of my previous nervousness could be seen.
"Sure, just let me check out and we can hit the road." He said while straightenting up and making his way to the front desk.
I followed already in my own world as I thought about how the interview had went and how intriging it would be to work for someone like Mr. Long.
"So how did it go?" The vixen asked, ripping me from my own thoughts.
I looked up to see her staring at me as she was ringing up Shadow's purchases for the evening.
"Fine I suppose. It looks like I'll be starting tomorrow." I said taking the time to glance at her name badge.
Cindy, was written on the tag in stickered letters with hearts on either side of it.
"Well I look forward to working with you, uh ..." She said with a questioning glace.
"Donovan, my name is Donovan." I said supplying her with my name.
"Very well then I'll see you tomorrow then Donovan." She said as she waved while Shadow and I left the video store back out into the now scorching heat of the day.