“I’m thinking I might like to see you naked.” In a figurative fashion. But, as his teeth nip against my skin almost chidingly, I admit that I’m eager for a literal interpretation as well.
Noah laughs low in his throat. “That can be arranged.”
The team interview with Paragon feels like another D&D game.
I’m Josephine again, with my black thick-rimmed glasses, magenta blazer, and hair curled so tight and bouncy that it barely reaches past my ears. Before the call, I hadn’t really recognized myself in the mirror, but that’s okay. I’m just playing a character for now.
A youngish man situated in a little video box at the top of my screen asks the first question. “Can you tell us more about the projects you worked on while you were with Incite, Josephine?” His hair is so gel-slicked to his skull that he looks like a Lego figure.
Intelligence check. Roll with advantage.I give a brief overview of the projects I’m proud of, including a rebranding campaign for a clothing line that switched gears to prioritize sustainability, a surprisingly successful launch campaign for a company that made formalwear for dogs, and a local marketing passion project for a new ice-cream shop in my neighborhood in Queens. As I run through each campaign, I make sure to highlight the data, metrics, and revenue and my own lightning-fast project turnaround time.
“And how do you like to connect with new clients? What is your outreach strategy like?” A woman with warm brown skin and hair twisted into a cute side bun smiles at me, her chin propped on her fist.
Charisma check.I talk through my networking strategy, which includes a mix of sending personalized emails to new clients I admire, scouting out conferences and events, and wooing new local connections at my favorite charming coffee shops and wine bars. I throw in a formulaic but endearing joke for good measure.
They continue to pepper me with questions, and I juggle them all as best I can.
“Tell me about a time you experienced a challenge or a disagreement with a client. How did you handle it?”
Wisdom check.
“How do you balance many competing priorities in your day-to-day schedule?”
Dexterity check.
“How well do you work in a team environment?”
Charisma check, again.
There’s a man in the bottom right corner of the screen who hasn’t spoken up yet. He sits with his arms crossed over his dark suit jacket, shifting from side to side in his swivel chair. He’s older than the rest. Finally he clears his throat and speaks directly into the camera, and it’s like he’s locking eyes with me. “Can you give us a little more insight into why you left your previous role?”
Constitution saving throw. Roll with disadvantage.My throat is suddenly dry, and I use it as an excuse to stall and take a sip of water as I rush to gather my thoughts. My stomach roils uneasily. “I loved my time at Incite, but I’m eager for a change of environment,” I say. “I’m hungry for new challenges, a new atmosphere, and a new team to learn from.”
Deception check.Of course I don’t tell them the truth. Incite feltsuffocating. I wasn’t sleeping. I met my deadlines only by regularly staying up into the early hours of the morning. I was exhausted, and I couldn’t handle the pressure.
Dark Suit looks like he wants to dig deeper, but Addison cuts him off, a cheery smile on her face. “I think that’s all the questions we have for you today, Josephine. I’m happy to discuss next steps with you now, but everyone else—feel free to drop the call.” As the other team members wave goodbye and wink out of existence, Addison’s face fills the screen, expertly painted with what I can tell are expensive cosmetics. “As I said at the beginning, the last step of this process will be an in-office visit. If anything, it will beyourchance to interviewus—and for us to show you everything we have to offer.” She beams. “The whole team will be there. We’ll also meet with my director, Cary, but it’s more of a formality than anything…”
I nod and laugh along obediently.Performance check.
“I need to compare everyone’s schedules—and of course see when the best time is for you,” Addison says. Her gaze pans off to the side, away from the camera. She must have another screen up somewhere. “I’ll get in touch with you as soon as I know more, and we’ll have our assistant book your flight out.”
“That sounds good to me, Addison. Thank you so much. It’s been a pleasure.”
“Wait.”
Addison leans toward her camera like we’re just two girls gossiping over coffee. “Just so I know, dear…between you and me. Have you given any thought to when you’d be available to start?”
My mind blanks. It’s not a question I prepared for. My thoughts spinning, I try to do quick math around when the campaign will end and when I’ll finish up the mural, then calculate a week out from that. From a technical standpoint, it would work fine. My apartment is still there, waiting for me. My roommates text mesometimes, asking whether I’m going to renew the lease in the fall. But it feels wrong.That’s still too soon,I panic.Don’t say it, I’m not ready to leave.
I swallow and say it anyway. “August fifteenth?” Three weeks and change from today.
Addison clasps her manicured hands together. “That would be perfect,” she gushes. “Mid-August would be ideal!”
“Of course,” I say smoothly, trying not to stumble over my words. “Thanks for everything, Addison.”
She gives me a little nose-scrunch smile and logs off of the call.
I barely give myself enough time to shrug off the blazer and slip into my running shoes before I’m hurtling down the stairs, hopping over a snoozing Howard, and running out the door.
