Nervous, hand sweat, high blood pressure, disoriented, unable to concentrate. This was no way to feel while waiting to be called in. I had been out of work for some time now, applying to all sorts of jobs, and the result had been the same wherever I went.
"You're do not have the qualifications we're looking for."
"You're over qualified."
I had heard all the excuse by now, to young, to old and all the rest. I needed this job now, more then ever. I really needed the income, so I could pay my bills, and pay back some debts to some of my friends. I maintained my calm, and looked at the clock on the wall. It was soon time.
"Mr. Trust. You may go in now."
The voice of the friendly secretary caught be off guard, but without showing my reaction, I stood up, and made sure that I was ready. That my clothes were in order, and then with a smile towards her, I walked through the massive oak doors to the office. I was greeted by a short.
"You may sit down."
I walked to one of the two chairs in front of the office table, and sat down while I remained silent. I was slightly surprised to see that the chief of personal was a woman, and I watch her work while she continued to sign some papers. She picked up a folder, and looked inside it.
"So, Mr. Alan Trust."
That was all she said, and I took that as a sign that I should reply, so with some tension in my voice I said.
"Yes, that would be me."
She seemed startled that I replied, and look up from her folder. She seemed so familiar, and when she lowered her eyes into the folder once more, I lowered mine to the small sign on her table. With golden letters I could read her name, but Sarah Thompson did not mean anything to me.
"So you wish to work for us. I see you have the proper education, and your experience is quite unique to say the least. What makes you think you would be a good addition to our security staff?"
Her voice penetrated the silent air around us with precision and the right amount of distance which made it appear professional and cold. Yet there was something else there too, but I just couldn't pinpoint what it was, so while I continued to think about it, I explained my point of view.
"Good, good, yes, hm interesting."
By the sound of her voice, her thoughts were also elsewhere. I took a look at my watch, to appear busy. Her brown eyes followed my movements and she closed the folder, and placed it on the table.
"The truth is that we are looking for a special person. Someone with unusual skills, making him or her think in different ways than other persons would do, and thereby find holes in our security. Do you have any special skill that would qualify you?"
Finally, the rejection line. At least she had given me the chance to reply, but I did not know of any special talent that I could benefit with. I looked at her, and said.
"To be honest, I can not think of any talent right now, but may I think a little? It would also help if I knew more about your wishes, I mean if there is anything other than I've already read in the advertisement."
"Just any talent."
I began to think. I could play the piano, and several other instruments. I could cook a romantic dinner without creating a mess in the kitchen. What good would those talents do?
"No? In that case, I think this interview is over. We'll let you know in a couple of days."
I knew what that meant. Rejected, and the thing I would receive was an envelope with a short standard letter saying something I didn't want to hear. I took her hand, and said with a smile.
"Thank you, I look forward to it."
I was dying inside, but my smile was as warm and bright as a summers day, and I walked to the door. When I got to the door, I turned around when I thought I heard a silent sound. She was standing with both hands on the table, leaning her head down, which made her hair fall down and cover her face. I could hear her whisper.
"It's over."
I looked at her, and for a moment an image flashed before my eyes. A memory from a distant past, but I realized why she seemed familiar. I stood still until she realized that I was still in the room, and then with her eyes raised in mine, I whispered.
"Felicia, kneel before me."
The words came from a place in my being, that I had locked several years ago, but I said the words and recognized them as if they were spoken just moments earlier. As if I had chanted them to myself through my entire life, and as the words were spoken, the reaction was as excepted.
"Yes Master."
As I saw Sarah come closer to me, I began to remember the games I had played with my best friend when I was just a teenager. The games we played in my room, where I had realized that I could control others with my voice. My best friend, Felicia Summers, had become my friend when all the other kids were harassing her, pulling her ponytail and sometimes even pushed her down into trash cans. I had not been popular either, nor was I a fighter, but the simple fact that I was well built, and almost a head taller than the rest was enough to keep them off me.
"Master, I have been doing your wishes ever since the day we parted."
I had become Felicia's friend, but in the end also her Master. She wanted it, and I had taken control over her, and her whole being was mine to do with as I wanted. I had made her do things she wouldn't have done if I had not been controlling her, but she could not refuse.
"Felicia, assume the position."
I turned around, and locked the door as I remember all the things from the days of our youth, and the things Felicia had done by order from me. I remembered the day when she had admitted to me, that she did all the things I said, and for some reason she had become to love them all. The control had made her stronger, and all the other kids at school had noticed. She became popular with all the guys, and her raw smile when she rejected them was like a dart through their hearts. She had become powerful through the control I had over her, it had been a part of it all, but it had all ended the day her parents moved, and took her with them.
