Days before the first round of rolling layoffs, the geology intern (Number 2) receives an offer to write a bio on the CEO for the Mines newspaper. He was second choice to another since the first respectfully declined due to undisclosed circumstances. Some say it was the flu. Others say it was the pending round of rolling layoffs.
Number 2 gets a call to come to the middle floor of the North Tower from the assistant to the CEO. Hanging up the phone from his cube, his face begins to flush and his upper lip begins to sweat. He walks to the elevator and rides to the 9th floor then jaunts across the skywalk to the north side. He decides to take the stairs down. He remembers his first day of orientation and continuously maintains 3 points of contact…no one wants to get a STOP observation as an intern…no one.
He arrives to the middle floor and approaches the assistant to the CEO and announces himself.
NUMBER 2: “Yes. I’m Number 2. I’m here to see Mr. Way for the interview.”
Assistant 1: “Hi there. Hold on one sec.” picks up the phone. “Bill, Number 2 his here to see you, should I send him back?...okay” hangs up phone. “Okay. You can go back now”
Number 2 walks down the hall and peers through the glass to see the CEO leaning over the desk pensively reading what looks to be a magazine. He knocks at the entrance.
CEO: “Come on in, have a seat.”
Number 2 sits in the blue-clothed chair that matches the eyes looking across from him.
CEO: “Ever read this?” holds up a copy of Good Housekeeping “You’d be surprised at how many business decisions I’ve made by reading these articles—so many good recipes and pictures.”