by Orson B Wolf
They turned on to Jefferson Avenue and the driver kept complaining about the fickle weather, the coming war, and the state of unemployment. Paul didn’t listen. Instead he thought of the morning’s events and once again tried to understand how he had reached his current condition: on his way to a meeting that might change his life.
Two hours earlier, he had been woken by a telephone call.
“Paul McBride?” a female voice asked.
“Good morning, speaking.” He tried to hide the fact he had slept late and hoped the grogginess didn’t come through in his voice.
“Good morning. My name is Julia Palmer, VP of Human Resources for GP & K Industries. Got a minute for me?”
Paul was surprised but tried to hide it. “Yes, even two.”
“Excellent,” she said cheerfully. “Because we have an offer for you.”
“All right,” he answered cautiously, his heart suddenly filled with hope.
It had been two years since he had lost his job, and things in the house just kept getting worse. Being the father of toddler twins with your wife acting as the chief breadwinner wasn’t easy. Not to the bank account, nor to his ego. But mainly, and much worse, this current condition was destructive to their relationship.
Paul had once thought nothing in the world could ever undermine the deep bond between Kate and himself. They had both been through so much together. They had survived the harsh period of fertility treatments, at the end of which they were told Kate was carrying twins in her womb. And when she gave birth, and Holly and Cynthia emerged into the world, Kate and Paul were the happiest couple in the whole world.
They made a promise to each other to always stay together—no matter what, through thick and thin. “But I’d rather stay thin,” Kate would always add wryly.
But that was all in the past, when Paul was strong and optimistic and feeling invincible; a distinguished detective, highly appreciated by his superiors. Back when he still had a bright future ahead of him.
Then one day, everything simply fell apart. A decision had been made to cut down on manpower in the unit, and despite the praise Paul was constantly showered with, he had been summarily fired. The nightmare of unemployment had reached their doorstep.
Kate’s salary as an elementary school teacher wasn’t enough to provide for them, and she had to teach private lessons in the afternoons. Paul admired her for her determination. Sometimes he thought it was a real wonder, the way she had been able to work so hard to provide for her family, while keeping optimistic and hoping for a better, easier future.
A year ago, they had decided to sell their house, but no buyer could be found. The few who had bothered calling offered them insultingly low prices. Kate and Paul had to rent out their house and move to a smaller apartment on Main Street, on the older side of town.
As the days and months passed, Paul’s careful optimism was replaced with melancholic concern. He tried to hide from Kate the dark fear that had gradually overtaken him. If he didn’t find a job soon… he didn’t even want to think about that possibility.
This morning, after he had dropped off the girls at preschool, he went back home and must have fallen asleep on the sofa. Where he was awoken by the telephone call, and as Julia continued to speak from the other end of the line, his heart raced with excitement.
“Are you familiar with our company and what it is that we’re doing?”
Of course he was. The name of the large corporation was always splashed over the news, tied to this major international deal or that.
“Well… almost everything.”
Julia reacted with polite laughter. “Fair enough, Mr. McBride. Now please allow me to explain the reason for my call.”
His eyes widened with amazement as she told him the identity of the person who was interested in securing his services. Finally, she asked if he could come for a job interview that very day.
Paul gulped. “Yes. Of course I’ll come.”
Now he was sitting in the taxi, wearing a hastily ironed buttoned shirt. Kate had thought he was joking when he’d called to nervously ask where the hell the iron was. His mind was occupied with many questions, first and foremost about the nature of the job they had in mind for him.
The skies turned dark once more and it seemed as if it was about to rain again. The taxi slowly trudged down busy Garfield Street under large plasma signs declaring, “Tonight at Eight: What will the prophet say? War or a peace agreement?”
The taxi driver clucked his tongue. “This is just crazy that this one prick gets to decide for the whole world whether or not we’re going to have a war.”
“Well, I have a job interview with this prick,” Paul muttered and immediately stole a glance at the driver, afraid he had actually been heard. The driver must have missed his hushed remark.
“Trust me, there’s no prophet.” The driver cleared his throat and continued. “This is all just one big conspiracy, if you ask me.” He signaled and turned right. “A group of computer experts who rule the economy, the army… I think I even saw it in a movie once.”
Paul wasn’t really listening. All he knew was that the coming interview could be his and Kate’s chance of getting back to a normal, happy life. Getting back to a routine in which he wouldn’t feel as if he’s letting her down every single day.
“Here we are. That’ll be twenty seven dollars,” the driver interrupted his train of thought.
Paul gave him thirty. “Keep the change.”
He got out of the taxi and into the cold air. For a brief moment, he craned his neck to take in the tall glass skyscraper bearing the sign GP&K Industries. Far above, dark clouds were gathering, and a flash of lightening split the sky.
Paul didn’t wait for the thunder. He took a deep breath and walked into the lobby.
5
Green Park
The black dog closed his eyes in concentration as he sniffed the flower, a red spot set against a backdrop of green grass. The earth was wet after the sudden rain. It was supposed to be the beginning of spring, but the weather was all wrong.
Thunderstorms were a daily occurrence and the skies were covered with clusters of clouds, casting dreary shadows over the earth.
Now the sun reemerged and struck the ground, rapidly vaporizing the puddle.
The large dog’s nostrils flared with excitement. He seemed overjoyed with the small flower, and that sight amused David, the teen who held the end of the leash.
“Castrated with a passion for flowers. You’ll have me doubting your masculinity, Max.”
The two stood by a bench in the middle of “Green Park,” a cultivated public park recently built for the comfort of neighborhood residents. The dog raised his head at the youth. With the corners of his mouth stretched up, it looked as if Max was giving his owner a stupid grin.
This made David chuckle. “Seriously, you’re watching football games with me, starting tomorrow.”
Max continued to stare at him adoringly, as if he understood every word.
“You know what? I changed my mind. Boxing!”
The dog lost interest and returned to his enthusiastic flower sniffing.
David sighed. “It’s all right, buddy. Just keep on doing what you feel like. Even if it’s smelling a flower that’s been peed on by a thousand dogs.”
He sat on the bench, lost in thought. The briefing that had taken place about an hour ago at school was pretty disturbing. Even the teachers had been shocked by some of the horrifying images.
He looked at his dog. Max was happy, gently wagging his tail and savoring every moment.
“I wish I could be like you and simply enjoy the present. Maybe I should just take a vacation and get off the radar for a while.” He sighed, knowing that was impossible. Especially now, when so many things demanded his attention.
Max suddenly raised his head to look at the path leading f
rom the park’s entrance. His ears flicked up alertly.
A small brown dog happily ran toward them. Max leaped and nearly made his scrawny owner fall from the bench. The small canine guest humbly rolled onto its back and allowed Max to sniff its belly.
It was a female. David gently picked her up in his hands, despite Max’s loud protests. “Stop being jealous,” he scolded his dog, then looked around, trying to locate the other dog’s owner.
The mystery was solved when a cry was heard from the path. “Buffy! Where are you?”
At the park gate appeared the most beautiful girl David had ever seen, flushed and panting. She was wearing a pair of jeans and white t-shirt, her dark hair dripping with rain. It was apparent she had run all the way there. A dog leash dangled from one of her hands.
“Your dog is right here!” cried David.
The girl raised a hand to shade her eyes from the sun, and when she saw them, she sighed with relief and approached. “Hi!”
David didn’t answer. His heart raced with excitement—he recognized her from school. Rachel. She was the sort of girl someone like him could only dream of getting to know.
She had arrived from San Francisco a year before, as if she’d stepped out of a movie screen, tanned and full of smiles. There was always a sparkle in her green eyes, the kind of which David had never seen before. Everyone at school knew her and wanted to be close to her. She was on the swim team, and had been cast as the lead in the end-of-the-year play.
As usual, she was achingly beautiful. She walked up to him with a light step and stopped. Now David noticed that she smelled great, too.
They faced each other for a moment.
“Can I?” she impatiently motioned at her dog that struggled to release herself from his grip.
He snapped out of it, feeling extremely stupid for not handing her the dog immediately. “Oh, yeah. Sorry, Rachel.”
Rachel plucked the brown dog from his hands and kissed her forehead. “Buffy!” She fondly scolded the little creature, “You nearly gave me a heart attack!” She wrapped her arms around her dog, then raised her large eyes to David, making his heart skip a beat.
“Do we know each other?” she asked with curiosity.
David felt stupid again, this time for saying her name.
“Oh, not really. I mean, I know who you are.” He lowered his eyes to the ground. “You’re probably used to that.”
“Used to what? My dog running away and being saved by a hero?” She examined his face with a thin smile.
David blushed. “Oh, no. I meant to say that everyone knows you,” he stammered. “At school.”
“I know exactly what you meant.” She laughed out loud and David thought it was the most pleasant sound he has ever heard. He lowered his eyes again, not knowing what to say.
“I’ve been chasing her all over town for over an hour. Good thing you were here,” she said and briskly brushed Buffy’s brown fur with her hand.
“You should put a tag on her collar. You know, with your phone number,” he muttered. “Just in case she runs away again.”
“You’re right, I’ll do that.” She nodded and put Buffy on the ground. Max jumped right at her, nearly tripping David, who was still holding his leash.
Rachel laughed. “Your dog is pretty powerful. A real off-road dog.”
David chuckled. “More like a four-wheeler.” He let go of Max’s leash and both dogs instantly started running in circles all over the wet grass: two blotches of color, black and brown, spraying water in every direction.
“You live in the neighborhood?” she asked.
“Yes, right here.” David pointed at the avenue of new buildings bordering the park.
Rachel gawked at the luxurious building. “Really?”
He laughed with embarrassment and decided to change the subject. “Her name’s Buffy?”
The dog had discovered a convoy of ants and began to happily bark at the insects, leaping from side to side with her ears flapping. Max immediately began to hop and bark enthusiastically as well.
“Weird name, I know.” Laughed Rachel. “My aunt used to be a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan.” She smiled and looked at her dog. “But actually, she looks more like…”
Their eyes met. “Buffy the Ant Slayer!” they cried together and burst into laughter.
“Listen… you’re just a gorgeous hunk!” Rachel cried out loud. “I have to give you a hug!”
David held his breath, but then Rachel leaned toward Max and gave him a tight squeeze.
“What’s his name?” she asked, scratching the dog’s neck. Max closed his eyes and willingly yielded to her touch.
“Oh…” David regained his breath. “Max.”
She raised her eyes at him questioningly and he muttered, “For maximum cuteness.”
The sound of her bell-like laughter woke a deep need in David to talk to her, to hear her voice over and over again.
“Where did you get ‘maximum cuteness’ this ridiculous collar?” She laughed. “You’re abusing your dog!”
He nodded, embarrassed. “Oh, it’s a present from my grandmother. She’s crazy about Max and insists that he wear it at all times.”
“Being considerate with your grandmother. Good for you!” Her reaction surprised him. Her smile was genuine, without a trace of mockery. “It must be fun to have a grandmother like that.” She turned serious. “I live with my aunt. She’s not a big fan of dogs. She barely agreed for us to take Buffy in, and only on condition that she doesn’t ruin the house.”
“Really?” He was surprised. “Just you and your aunt?”
“Yes. I couldn’t ask for a better deal.” She shrugged. “I can do whatever I feel like. She doesn’t care about anything.”
David sensed a bitter tinge to Rachel’s voice when she mentioned her aunt. He heard himself asking, “Do you like dogs?” And felt mega-stupid for the third time.
“Sure, I’m crazy about ‘em! I wanted to study to be a vet but gave it up.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t stand a chance of being admitted to the school I want. Tuitions cost a fortune. Besides, they don’t have any spots left.”
David saw a cloud of sadness pass over her face and felt a pinch in his heart.
“Maybe you should apply anyway. There’s always a chance someone would cancel, or they’d change the admissions requirements.”
“Or they’d cancel the semester altogether because a war will break out,” she said quietly. Her forehead furrowed with concern. “Were you at the briefing today? This is just insane.”
David did not know what to say.
She lowered her eyes and muttered, “Honestly? I don’t want to apply because I just don’t want to be disappointed.”
“Trust me,” said David passionately. “If you really want to study there and believe hard enough—it will happen!” He inhaled and prepared to go on but fell silent when he saw her face.
“Where is this coming from?” Her expression could have been anything from mockery to… curiosity? David wasn’t sure.
“Just promise me you’ll send an application. You’re going to be a great vet,” he said quietly.
She answered in a low voice, imitating him. “All right, I’ll think about it!”
Max and Buffy stopped running around and started sniffing each other.
Rachel smiled. “Look, she really likes him.”
David remembered something he had once read. “For dogs, only the present exists. When a dog sniffs a tree, he experiences the here and now. He doesn’t care about not being young or worries about the future. Too bad people can’t be like that.” He paused as he saw her amused look.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you talk like an adult every now and then?” she said and took a cell phone from her pocket.
“Actually, yes,”
he admitted. “But that’s because—”
“Oh my God, I’m late!” she suddenly cried out and ran toward the gate, pulling Buffy after her by her leash.
A few steps later, she stopped on her heels and turned to him. “What’s your name?”
“David,” he replied.
“David,” she muttered. “You’re weird, you know that?”
He didn’t know how to answer.
“But cute!” She laughed and ran off, the bright sound fading after her.
David and Max remained on their own in the park.
6
A Challenging Position
A moment ago, Paul had gotten out of a taxi for a job interview that could change his life.
Now he found himself standing in the lobby of the building, facing two uniformed guards—a middle-aged man and a young blonde woman. The woman recognized the tension in Paul’s face and gave him a reassuring smile. The man spoke to him.
“ID, please.”
Paul placed his driver’s license on the security desk. With a quick look, he examined the toughened glass doors and cameras on the ceiling, a professional habit. Kate always used to tease him about the fact he carried his work with him everywhere he went.
The guard typed his name and looked at the computer screen before him. “Yes, here we are. Paul McBride.”
He took the driver’s license and handed Paul a magnetic guest card.
“Eighteenth floor, conference room three. They’re waiting for you.”
Paul nodded and waved the card in front of the sensor by the door. There was a bleep and the doors silently slid open. He went inside.
The elevator was spacious and empty. So was the hall on the eighteenth floor.
Paul walked down the long hall, passed several closed doors, and heard a cacophony of telephones ringing and voices speaking, until he reached conference room number three.
The glass door was open and two men in suits stood inside. They spoke in hushed voices.