short story

Here is my short story, "First Interview" from the NYC 48 hours short story competition

Enjoy

FIRST INTERVIEW

Sandra has an interview with Belkin Power as a sales rep selling Power Strips (also known as Power Bars). She comes in prepped to sell the protein power bars instead and hilarity ensues.

Sandra, who stood approximately 5'4", had shoulder length curly brown hair, was wearing a navy blue knee length pencil skirt, a white blouse and held a matching navy blue jacket in her arms. The weather was much warmer than she anticipated for late September and the wool suit she wore clung greedily to her. Her hand jittered as she gripped the doorknob of the executive boardroom. She glanced at her watch, knowing she was pushing her luck for being on time. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, recited a quick prayer, then opened the door and walked through it.

Inside was a long table encompassing the entirety of the room. At the far end of the table were two people: one woman and one man. They both wore suits, had stern looks on their faces and were well into their fifties. At her end was a single chair, a glass of water, a bowl with fruit and power bar protein bars and a Belkin power strip still in its packaging. As she sat down the woman looked at her watch as she leaned over to whisper to her male companion. Sandra kicked herself under her breath for not being earlier.

There was a long, uncomfortable silence as they pored over her resume. As if intentionally trying to unnerve her. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the woman addressed her.

"Sandra is it?" she started, "Welcome to Belkin Power. My name is Agatha and this is Charles. As you know, we have an opening for a sales representative. Please tell me what qualifications you have."

"I've worked as a sales representative for two different companies in the past year and come highly recommended from both."

"Yes, I can see that. Can you tell me why you've gone thru two jobs in one year?"

Sandra stiffened briefly as she took a sip of water. She grabbed the protein bar out of the bowl and fidgeted with it as she spoke. "In both cases, I found it difficult to sell something that I wasn't passionate about. I find myself quite passionate about power bars and can see myself fitting in here much better than my previous employments."

Agatha looked at her with curiosity. "That is impressive to hear. Not many people are passionate about power stri--" she was cut off abruptly as Charles jabbed her in the ribs. She glared at him.

Charles looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Tell me more about these, power bars, that you're so passionate about. Sell them to us, like, we're potential customers." He said with a smirk, emphasizing the word 'bar'.

Sandra sat up straighter, a large smile on her face. "They come in a variety of flavours, travel easier than a full meal and are great both before and after a workout."

Agatha looked at the protein bar Sandra held in her hands, to the power strip in front of her and then to Charles. Her lips curled up as her eyes glistened. Charles straightened his tie as he coughed in an attempt to suppress his laughter. He tried to ask another question, but found himself unable to speak clearly.

Agatha dabbed the corner of her eyes with a tissue. "Which is better? 110 or 220?"

Sandra looked at the back of her protein bar, scanning its contents. "I think they are closer to 220?"

Charles bit his lower lip. "How many power bars do you think we should buy from you?"

"As many as possible, at least one of each flavour so you can try them all."

Charles half stifled a chortle, again trying to cover it up with a cough as he took a drink of water. "Should we buy a grounded power bar?"

"Oh no. Once they've been on the ground you can't eat them anymore."

Agatha straightened herself up and drew her lips in a tight line. "Tell me, Sandra. Where do you plug the power bars into?"

Sandra looked at her confused. "Umm, in your mouth?"

Charles turned abruptly in his chair, putting his back to her. He hunched over in his seat, clutching his stomach with one hand and his mouth with the other. Agatha burst out laughing. Sandra looked at the two of them puzzled. She glanced at the cheat notes she had written on her arm under the sleeve of her blouse. They regained their composure and turned back to face Sandra who had a hopeful smile on her face.

"What do you see in front of you?" Charles asked.

"Umm, water. A power bar, fruit and uhh..." Sandra leaned forward to grab the power strip. She inspected the package carefully before looking up at the two of them. Her face slowly began to grow red as she looked from the power bar in front of her to the power strip in her hands.

"Sandra?"

"Ummm, its a power strip. Also known as a --" she dropped the power strip to the table as she slapped her hands over her mouth and her face immediately went bright red. She started to laugh and cry at the same time.

The three of them looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Sandra was the first to regain her composure. She picked up the power bar protein bar. "You weren't referring to these were you?" she asked.

Charles shook his head, unable to speak aloud.

Sandra sighed. "You don't sell protein bars, do you?"

Agatha shook her head, still laughing. "No, but we might have to now."

Sandra looked at her confused as Agatha leaned over and whispered to Charles.

Agatha smiled brightly, "Congratulations Sandra, you have the job."

Sandra looked at them surprised but happy. Agatha and Charles stood up and walked over to her. Still shocked, Sandra stood up as they shook her hand.

Charles picked up the power strip, unwrapped it and held it up to his face. "In my mouth, huh?" he said with a glint in his eyes.