The Job Interview: Part 2

Brushing some dirt off his trousers was Dave's best attempt at trying to smarten himself up after his encounter in the park. He still was not totally sure if the squirrels really had been out to get him, or if they were his subconscious and he had actually just gone completely insane.

The run through the park had taken its toll on Dave, he was sweating and nearly out of breath. Resolving to do more exercise from now on, (partly to outrun any vengeful squirrels), he ambled closer to his destination; the job centre.

As he got nearer he began to feel a great sense of unease. The great brown building that was the job centre loomed in front of him. He had never been nervous about coming here before, but something was different today. Climbing the few steps up to the main entrance, Dave bumped into someone.

“Sorry.” said Dave.

The man he had bumped into turned around very slowly, almost as if any movement for them was difficult. Oh crap I've nearly knocked over a disabled guy, Dave thought. As the man completed his turn however, Dave soon realised it was not a man. It was a zombie!

Panic gripped Dave and he fell backwards down the steps. Luckily for him there were not many, but the stone edges of them dug into his back as he went. The zombie gave a low groan and continued looking at Dave. Oh my god it's going to eat me, thought Dave. Arms grabbed Dave from behind.

“No! Don't eat me!” shouted Dave.

The arms lifted Dave to his feet and were followed by a chuckle.

“Don't eat me” the voice mocked.

Dave turned around and looked at the newcomer. It was a man in his fifties, balding and with a bit of a paunch. He had a smile on his face like he knew something Dave did not.

“I have no intention of eating you, young man. And neither does that gentleman.”

The man was pointing to the zombie that Dave had bumped into. It had turned around and continued its shuffling into the job centre.

“Gentleman? It's a zombie.” said Dave.

The man chuckled again.

“You have an over-active imagination, young fellow.” said the man.

“But, it's a zombie. Aren't you at all worried?”

“It was just an old man, nothing to worry about. They, however, are.” the man said, pointing.

Dave turned and looked at where the man was indicating. Sprinting towards them were three zombies. They were not like the first one Dave had encountered, these were blood-crazed lunatics. Frothing at the mouth, they were running for all they were worth. Dave fell to the floor. His life was over. This isn't how I imagined I would go, he thought.

The zombies did not even pause as they ran past the man and Dave, straight into the job centre. Lifting him up again, the man chuckled once more.

“I can see you're a bit jumpy today. Those sorts aren't a problem most of the time, but you do need to keep an eye on them.” said the man.

“To make sure they don't eat you?” Dave ventured.

The man laughed again whilst helping Dave up the stairs.

“Well, as much as I would like to continue this amusing conversation with you, I've got an appointment to keep. See you around.”

The man headed through a door in the job centre and was lost from view. Still slightly spooked, Dave tottered to the front desk.

“State your business” said a slightly muffled voice.

Locating the source of the voice, Dave saw that it had come from a security guard. However, instead of the normal white shirt and tie that he remembered them wearing, this was one in full tactical gear, including gas mask and helmet, and was carrying a shotgun. Taken aback, Dave just stood there staring. A shotgun being cocked and aimed at him broke him out of his momentary stupor.

“I'm here for a job interview!” Dave said faster and louder than he had intended.

“Name?” said the guard.

“Dave Green.”

After checking a list on a clipboard, the guard lowered the shotgun and pointed to the door next to the one the man he had met outside had taken.

Fearing for his life, Dave moved quickly to the door. Just as he was about to go through, there was a commotion behind him. Turning around, he saw a guard pointing his gun at a zombie similar to ones that sprinted past Dave earlier. The zombie lunged for the guard, and the gun went off. Bystanders were splattered with parts of the zombie's exploding head, and the decapitated corpse fell to the ground. The guard lowered his gun and everyone carried on as if nothing had happened.

Dave went quickly through the door. Entering the room, he found it was a conference room. A big table occupied the centre of the room, surrounded by many chairs. At the far end of the table was the person that was obviously the interviewer, and sat on the chairs were several people. To his horror he saw that many of them were zombies.

“Please take a seat. What's your name?” said the interviewer.

“Erm, Dave Green.” he said.

“Thank you, Dave. Please take a seat.”

Carefully choosing a seat that was not next to a zombie, Dave looked around the table again. The zombies that were there seemed to be docile, but after the display at the front desk, Dave was wary.

Several minutes went by and a few more people trickled in. Dave was not pleased to see some of them were zombies. The interviewer made a start. Time passed too slowly for Dave's liking, who spent every second watching the zombies for any sign of trouble. Eventually it was over, and they were told to wait outside and some of them would be called back in. Dave waited for most of them to leave before he got up, but was interrupted by the interviewer.

“Dave, could you wait a moment please?”

Sitting back down, he looked at the interviewer.

“Dave, I'd like to offer you a job. You did really well in the interview today, you seemed very focused. The rest of them were practically zombies!” she said smiling.

“Zombies? Did you see them too?” he asked.

“Yeah, it seemed as if they didn't want to be here. Anyway, can you start next week?”

Torn between pressing her for further questions regarding zombies and the offer of a job, Dave decided to try and not sound insane with inquiries about the undead, and instead answered her question.

“Yes, of course.”

“Good, good. Well just turn up at the premises for eight forty-five Monday morning and we'll begin your induction.”

“Great, thanks.”

Getting up, Dave left the room. At the front desk there was no sign of the zombie corpse, or the guards with shotguns. Deciding not to pursue it, Dave left the job centre as quickly as he could. He decided to go home as quickly as possible, but definitely not through the park. Moving at nearly a run, he set off.

Unawares, Dave was being watched by a squirrel sat high in a tree. It said only one word.

Soon.