Ken sat up on the bed numb, his body was awake but his mind was still processing the long day ahead. He stared at the blank cream wall facing him and then got off the bed immediately after the alarm started ringing. He put off the alarm on his phone and started getting undressed, then he took the phone with him to the bathroom which was outside and had no bulbs. Ken spent some time cleaning his shoes, he had already dry cleaned his choice of clothes for the big day and had ironed them in the evening following the big day. After cleaning the shoe he picked up his tie and added it to the clothes which he had already placed on the bed. The tie was scarlet-colored and matched with the white long-sleeved shirt that Ken was to wear. Even on the bed, the lines on his black trousers could be seen, they were as thin as a knife edge.
Ken didn’t waste much time at home and left by 6 am even though the sky was still dark and the sun was nowhere to be found. He trekked through the street filled with potholes that had become little puddles because of the rains. He was already close to the main road where he would take a bus into the city when a man driving a tricycle passed by him, he felt the splash on his trousers but didn’t know the damage the water had caused and so continued. When he got to the main road he waved down a bus and got in sitting close to the windows as he always does. He kept the large envelope he was holding on his lap and tapped his legs to the sound of the music just to ease the tension he was already starting to feel.
From the windows, Ken looked at the sky wondering why it was not getting brighter, even as many businessmen and women were now setting up their shops as the bus got into the city. The driver called out the name of the first bus stop to which three persons including Ken responded. As Ken got off the bus, the flash from the sky lit the entire road it was as if the day was fully broken for a second, his mind instinctively waited for the thunder which took some time before rumbling across the sky. Ken made his way to the office district with the large envelope in his hands.
Image by baidongyun2012 on Pixabay
From the side of the road where he was walking, he could see the building. The name of the company ”SATCO” is boldly written on top and lighted in blue. He started feeling uneasy and clenched his fists. Then he got opposite the building and was about to cross when a car hone startled him making him step back. The car stopped at the front of the building it’s exhaust hot air could be seen coming out of its engine. Ken crossed the road and went into the building. He immediately went to the receptionist who looked at him like someone that was lost and needed directions. He was still talking to the receptionist when someone stopped close to him and tapped on his shoulders.
“You have a stain on your trousers man,” The man said. Ken looked down and was shocked at the stain brown dotted stains of what could be dried mud. The man offered him a handkerchief from his pocket which Ken used but its effect was not seen.
“I have spare trousers in the changing room, follow me,” The man said, Ken, followed immediately and went into a hallway with him. He then tried out the trouser and they didn’t fit as the length was shorter than Ken's and the trousers stood above his ankle. He wore it anyways smiling and thanking the man.
“I might not get this job again,” he said to the man,
“Why do you think so, are you not qualified?”, the man asked,
“I am more than qualified,” Ken said and then paused,
“but as we walked into this hallway I was people sitting outside with nice suits on they looked more qualified too” Ken added, the man simply laughed and patted him on his back as they left the hallway.
“Believe in yourself,” he said before disappearing into another hallway.
Ken sat for hours before he was called in, as he got in he saw three people with the man from before sitting in the middle. The interview was nothing like Ken had ever experienced. Both he and the man from before who turned out to be the manager talked for a long time about the company and then about other topics. When the whole chit-chat was done, his documents were taken.
“You can start on Monday,” The manager said, “and don’t forget to bring my trousers” he added as Ken left the office.