CHAPTER 2 -- Interview 1 (Nicole (w/ Steve)
I had such an important decision to make and no time to think. I rubbed my face with my hands mostly to let out some energy but also to feel like I was still moving forward. My mind was on overdrive. Which way do I go? If I leave now what am I going to do about college? How am I going to pay for it? That path still didn't seem any more appealing than it did yesterday or the day before.
My thoughts flipped back to the internship, to the money. I wondered what could be the worst that could happen if I choose to continue? I don't pass their evaluation and I am not offered the internship? No. No. That's not it.
The worst thing that could really happen is that their evaluation includes some kind of extreme sex acts to test my fortitude and commitment. That has to be the worst right? No actually. Not even that.
The absolute worst would be if I have to do some extreme sex acts with several people today and I perform poorly and then I don't get the internship. That would be the absolute worst for sure.
My thoughts were racing. They should give a person more than 15 minutes to make such a major decision. I kept asking myself over and over -- what should I do? Finally I was out of time. Nicole came back into the room. She came over and sat down on the couch next to me, and looked me in my eyes.
After letting out a small smile she tells me, "I know you want to do it. I saw the look in your eyes when I told you about the money. You want it. Very badly in fact. Otherwise you would have left already and gathered up that envelope of money downstairs. The question is whether you are willing to do the work to earn it. The question is whether you have the grit and the staying power to get to the end for the big payday."
She stood up and walked over to the other couch maybe 8 feet from me. When she turned around to face me she commanded, "Stand up."
I stood up without resistance. She continued with the orders, "Stand up straight. Strong posture. Take a deep breath. Smile."
I did as she instructed. It did make me feel better. I felt more confident.
She continued, "You are capable. You are sexy. You are smart. You are hungry. You could be amazing. Better than me if you put your mind to it."
I smiled. I appreciated her building me up. I needed it more than she knew. I took another deep breath.
"Now tell me what your decision is. Do you wish to continue or are we parting ways?"
"I want to continue."
There I said it out loud. She responded, "I did not hear you. What did you say?"
Maybe I didn't actually say it out loud. Maybe it stayed in my head. I repeated it again; making sure it was out loud this time. "I want to continue."
"One more time. Convince me that you actually want this internship."
"I want this internship and I am willing to do anything to get it."
She smiled at me. "That is what I want to hear."
It was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I had made a decision, the decision I think I wanted to make but was maybe too afraid to say it. I finally made it. I felt lighter and freer for the moment.
Nicole picked up a phone and dialed a number. 'Hey Steve. She is ready for us. Yeah. I think it is going to be good. I'm hopeful.'
She turned to me. "Steve will be here in 5 minutes. Once we get started, we are started. No more informal Q & A. We will start keeping score from this point forward. We don't stop until you either quit or you get through the last interview. Now is the most important time for you to mentally prepare for the rest of the day. Think about what you are willing to do to get this internship and then do it. Okay?"
I nodded.
"Follow me."
She led me through a set of double doors into her bedroom. I stopped in the entryway and assessed what I saw. The room was really nice with a view of the city through a huge window that took up most of the wall on the right side. It looked like there was a master bath off to the left. The bed in the center of the room looked inviting. It was probably a king size that was done up with several big pillows and a sleek thin down comforter. The rest of the room was decorated in warm colors that gave me a sense of ease.
From across the room Nicole commented, "If you get this internship, you can decorate this bedroom and the rest of the apartment as you see fit, since you would be living here for a year."
Steve entered the room from behind me. He broke the daze I was in when he put his hand on the small of my back and whispered in my ear. "I am glad you chose to continue this process. I am looking forward to what is next."
Nicole came over to us and stood next to Steve. She asked, "Are you ready?"
I took a deep breath and replied, "I am ready."
Nicole responded, "Good. Take your clothes off."
Her command seemed abrupt and shocked me a little. I did not come into today thinking that I would be getting naked in front of people I just met this morning. My pause caused Nicole to stare at me impatiently. Since I made a commitment to continue I silently did it. One piece of clothing at a time I exposed myself to them, all the while telling myself things to build my confidence. Once I was completely naked, they started walking around me, looking me up and down. I felt self-conscious.
Steve remarked, "She is quite sexy. I think the staff would like her a lot."
Nicole responded, "I agree. She is very sexy. I'm looking forward to taking her for a test drive."