xmutanthigh | John's job interview!

Um... just pretend this was posted Thursday...!

John was more nervous than he wanted to be, thanks largely to Kitty. She’d kept him awake until well past curfew reading him passages from a book she’d found in the library- 101 job interview mistakes and how to avoid them. John had wanted to roll into the interview and just be himself- or at least a more socially acceptable version of himself, but instead Kitty’s suggestions kept popping into his head: Put a positive spin on negative past experiences; Be honest, but not too honest (whatever the hell that meant!) and Don’t ramble- timing is everything.

He walked into Better Read than Dead ten minutes before his scheduled interview spot (as the book suggested) wearing his best collared shirt and tie (he didn’t need the book for that- he had at least enough common sense to pick those out himself.) The blonde behind the cash desk barely glanced up from her computer as he approached the counter.

“Allerdyce, right?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah. I’m here to see Ada….”

The blonde nodded. “Go browse around. She’ll come find you in a minute.”

“Okay, thanks” John said, frowning slightly. He strolled around and started looking over the books, and within a few minutes was engrossed enough that he forgot he was there for an interview. He was startled, then, several minutes later when someone touched his shoulder. He looked around into the smiling face of a woman. She was quite petite, her dark hair streaked with grey and her face lined, though still very handsome. John couldn’t immediately pick her age or ethnicity, but he immediately liked the Mona Lisa-calibre smile she was wearing.

“St John” she said quietly, taking the book from his hands. She turned it over and looked at it. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”

“I’ve never read it, but I was thinking I should”

“I’d recommend you do, especially if you ever plan to follow any white rabbits. I’m Ada, let’s go through to the back and chat.”

John nodded and followed her through the store to the tiny office out the back, thanking her for taking time to see him as they went. She sat down on a box of books and gestured to the single office chair across from her.

“So, tell me” Ada began as John sat “What are you reading at the moment?”

*

“Well? Was it okay? Did you remember to talk yourself up? You didn’t talk yourself up too much, though, did you?” Kitty demanded as soon as John returned.

“It was… okay I guess. I don’t really have much of a basis of reference, but it felt pretty good. I don’t think I rambled too much…” John said vaguely.

“Did she hit you with a lot of questions?” Kitty asked delicately.

“Not really” John said, shrugging. “We mostly talked about books. Then she explained how the store runs. That’s about it.”

“Well, I hope she didn’t quiz you on your knowledge of Harry Potter” Kitty said jokingly.

“No, but she couldn’t believe I hadn’t read the series. She liked it that you’ve got me reading Janet Evanovich, though” John added with a smile.

“Told you,” Kitty said with a grin “Everyone with taste loves those books.” She looked up at him, serious again “Do you think you’ll get it?” she asked.

John shrugged gently. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Hmm. I hope you do. I plan to abuse your staff discount if you do.” Kitty said sincerely.

*

“Hey, John- phone!” Jones yelled down the hall.

John looked over the back of the couch, towards the hallway. “Who is it?” he called.

“Some lady named Aida or Ave Maria or something” Jones said with a shrug.

John bolted down the hall and snatched the phone from Jones’ hand, then waved him away.

“Sorry about that” he said into the receiver, and was relieved to hear Ada laughing gently down the line.

“Want a job?” she asked him.

“Yes please” John said.

“One condition- borrow the Harry Potter books from your girl and start reading”

“Oh, man, Ada, I don’t know-” he joked, and Ada laughed again.

“Can you start this weekend?” she asked.

“Sure. Whatever you need. But, um… what should I wear?”

“Smart casual. Preferably a collared shirt. No jeans”

“Okay” John said, cringing slightly. He’d have to do something about his current wardrobe.

Ada gave him the rest of the details and they rang off.

John ran up the stairs to Kitty’s room, his grin growing with every step, and knocked on the door.

“Hey, want to take me shopping?” John asked her.

“Shopping? Are you feeling okay?” she asked with a smile.

“Sure. I just need to look respectable at my new job, is all” John said casually.

Kitty launched herself off her bed with a whoop, and caught John around the neck in a hug. He laughed openly and hugged her back.

“And then- can I borrow Potter from you?” John asked, chagrined.

Kitty pumped her fist in the air in triumph. “Yes! This job is the best- thing- ever! I get to make you buy new clothes and then you have to read my favourite books! Ha!”

John rolled his eyes. “That’s it- tell Ororo I’m coming back to school. Having a job is too hard” he said- but he was grinning.

John's job interview!

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