The second door on the right

As a frustrated accountant, it's hard to find a decent job related to that. I'm not complaining though. I dislike math, nay, I abhor math! They say Asians are math geniuses. Whoever penned that idea haven't met all Asians. I am Asian but I am not good in math.

Accountancy was the most appealing course at the time I enrolled that's why I took it. Never finished it though. It only took me two years before I decided to quit. It's not for me.

Still, because of economic and financial crisis, I have to find a job fast. With no other skill set, the easiest way for me to find a job is related to accounting. Besides I have had some summer jobs from a well-known hotel that I have in my arsenal and that's what I used. It's the only thing I have to make me credible so I held on to it.

I scoured printed advertisements as well as online for an undergrad with only two months of experience.

It was not easy.

I was at the point of giving up. I have to survive.

It was during this lowest moment in my life that I saw an ad or what was left of it tacked on an electric pole in front of me. I was actually spacing out, focusing on nothing and everything.

My eyes zoned in to a hole in a carpet of advertisements on this pole - WANTED: Accounting Assistant.

The ad is old and yellowing. It has seen better times. The contact info was still readable thank goodness. No name. It just stated there to text the number.

I fished out my phone and texted the number. It said text, not call. I find it odd but at the same time thankful because I only have enough balance on my phone for sending an SMS. Hey, I'm not that poor. Yet.

After sending my message and intent to apply for the said job, I didn't think much about it. By now, I already gave up every hope and just let the universe do its wonders.

The universe answered! Not right away but after three days. I felt like resurrected from the dead after three days.

The message I received indicated the time, which was that same day, and the address to where I should go.

I know the place. I have passed it a hundred times during my walks. I thought it was a residential, surrounded by trees. I didn't even know it was occupied. Every time I passed by it, it seems empty.

I arrived for my said interview and was welcomed by a cheery high-pitched, formally dressed man, a bit older than me. I was more surprised how warm and welcoming the inside of the house was.

The man who interviewed me introduced himself as the accountant. We went over the preliminaries and things were progressing really well. It seems the accountant likes me and I'm glad. He then said to have a final interview with the banker. I have to come back though after an hour or I can choose to wait.

I told the accountant that I would rather come back. I then headed to a cafe nearby that I have been meaning to check.

Told you I'm not that poor yet. I still have enough money to buy me a cup of coffee. Besides I need to celebrate. There's a small win right there. With only caffeine in my veins, I am pumped! I am ready for the final battle.

Before I left the accountant, he informed me when I return to just let myself in, go straight to the second floor and head on to the second door on the right. He said he has lots of things to do so he apologized that he can't entertain me which was fine by me. Just knock first before letting yourself, he said.

Easy enough so that's what I did.

Enter - said the voice, deep and low voice, behind the second door on the right.

I noticed right away that the room was dimly lit. Even when I opened the door, light was not enough. The light from the door ended before it even reached the table. There were some lamps on the walls but they were old and dusty.

Sit and please close the door - the man said.

Billows of smoke hang above the head of the man seated behind the desk. Behind him was the window with the curtains drawn and only a fraction of light was coming through.

I thought right away that this is not what I wanted to sign up for. I was already on a flight mode. Step upon hesitant step, I approached the table and sat on the only chair I see.

The man then switched a lamp beside him, still not enough light to illuminate the whole face. Piles and piles of paper were on the desk. Some as tall as I am when seated. The man was lost in them.

I had to adjust my seat so I can see his face - I mean one of his eyes behind an eyeglass - among the towers of paper between us.

The man didn't interview me further but rather discussed what my job would entail and that I will have to work for free for a month first as a "test."

Whatever qualms I have were gone. Did he say free?

I cut the man right away mid sentence. I'm sorry - I said - but I needed the money. You can at least pay me something for you are going to use me and I will be rendering you service.

The man was silent for a minute. He then stood up and said - I think this meeting is over. I won't be needing your service.

As he stood, I stood up too but the man tripped the lamp with his hand and the lamp fell on the floor illuminating fully his face.

It was the accountant!

I got the idea to write about this from Pichi's post.

In that post she posted a link of set of questions. Like her, I also did the fun game at the end of the list. You can check the list here. Scroll down to the bottom and you can see the game.

I landed in question #45: Who would win in a fight: an accountant or a banker?

My answer is none for either of them can win. One scenario is applicable to the other so I just came up the story above. Not true though.