Part I: The Interview:
How could there be another fraternity initiation story? It's all been done; between fact and fantasy, it's completely mined out.
Perhaps. But don't make a final decision until you know my story.
I'm not a particularly good looking guy—not ugly, but a little awkward looking. I've never been really popular, either—usually last to be picked for a team and never went to a prom. I mean, I could have asked some girls out, but the ones I was sure would say 'yes' would only confirm my reputation as a loser and why take a chance on rejection from the others. I had the same urges as other guys, but always handled the problem the way they did most of the time.
I guess that's why getting into Sigma Alpha Epsilon (or Sex Above Everything as people referred to it), really meant a lot to me. It would be a kind of validation that I had always yearned for but never received. I was ready, I thought, to do anything to get into SAE. I had no idea what I would have to do—what I would do—to get in.
During rush week, I visited and filled out a very thorough application. I was called back for a preliminary interview which buoyed my hopes. Not everyone was called back. I guess that went well enough because after a few days, I was asked to return for an "in-depth" interview with Mark, one of the SAE's seniors and an important person. I wanted so much to impress him. There was no reason for him to know that I wasn't really popular in high school. So, I sat in front of the mirror telling myself a bunch of lies about my high school life until I almost believed them. When I got to the fraternity, I could lie convincingly, I thought.
Mark asked me a set of questions. When they didn't lead in the direction I wanted, I twisted the answers around until I got in all of the exaggerations and outright lies I had practiced. He seemed to swallow it all and I was feeling pretty good. Then, he closed the file he had been taking notes in and looked at me very seriously, saying, "Well, Allen, you seem like a remarkable guy. But, you also seem like every other guy who wants to join SAE I mean, high school student body president, lettering on the track team, and making National Merit Honorable Mention just isn't really distinguishing among our applicants—at least those that we take seriously."
My hopes sank. If even my biggest lies were believed and that still wasn't enough, I didn't have a prayer. Mark seemed to sense my disappointment. He stood up and came around the desk, leaning back on the desk in front of me.
"I really wish there was something I could do. I wish I could go back to my brothers with real enthusiasm and tell them that you were special, that you really wanted to be a brother in our fraternity, that you would do anything to join and that we would be lucky to get you."
There was a long pause as I cast about for something to say to convince him. Before I thought of anything, he continued, "I mean, I have to tell them that my interview with you was different. That you were not only a smart and attractive guy, but that I was genuinely excited by our contact. That's the sort of thing they are looking for from me."