'So, you're eighteen?'
'Yes Sir.' I said.
'And you have finished school then?'
'Well, out of necessity yes.'
'And why do you want this job?'
I stopped and looked across at the middle aged Mr Jenkins, dressed in a boring pin-stripe suit topped with a red tie. A large desk covered in paperwork sat between me and my potential employer.
Hesitating, I decided to answer as truthfully as I could, 'I think I'd be good at it and to be honest, I just need a job. I'm in a really tough place right now, and I know that I'll work as hard as I can for you, just so I can pull myself up. I really need this sir, and I would never forget the chance you gave me, to help me out.'
Mr Jenkins considered me for a full ten seconds. Seeing the creases in his forehead, I wondered if I had gone too far. Perhaps I should have said something along the lines of "This is such a great opportunity", or, "I really want to move ahead my career in a car dealership. I have such a passion for selling cars!" Somehow, I just couldn't bring myself to lie like that. There was only one reason anyone needed a job, so it was pointless to pretend otherwise.
'Thank you Mr Matheson. Ms Geiger will call you in a few days, letting you know the results of the interview.' Mr Jenkins said, standing up and extending an arm.
Taking it, I said, 'Thank you sir; have a good day.'
'You too son.'
Leaving his office and the dealership, I crossed the road to the shopping centre, where a milkshake bar sat between a grocery store and a credit union. Noah was sitting out the front of the shop, two tall milkshake glasses' in front of him; examining a newspaper which had been sitting on the table since I left half an hour ago.
'Dam Soviets!' Noah said as I approached and sat down, 'You can't tell me that the Union's collapsed; those Russians want nothing more than to run this joint!'
I stared at him for a second before he burst out laughing.
'You should hear my dad carry-on in the mornings.' He said, still laughing, 'How did it go anyway?'
'Not so good.' I said, smiling at Noah's continued giggling, 'I think I was a bit too honest.'
'Ah well man,' Noah said, 'Don't worry about it.'
'Well that's like the fifth interview that didn't go well.' I mumbled miserably.
'Maybe my dad can get you a job at the steel-works.' Noah said encouragingly.
'Nah, I wouldn't feel comfortable asking.' I said, shaking my head, 'He's already done enough for me; letting me stay at your house and everything.'
Indeed, I had been staying at Noah's house for the past fortnight. I couldn't go back to my parents. The idea of walking back into the house filled me with constant dread. In fact, it seemed unlikely that I would ever see my parents again, at least not by choice.