The Job Interview

The man looking for someone new in his employ simply went by the name of Mr. G. He was dressed nicely but comfortably as to give the impression that he was here to get business done and that this was his domain and his alone. Tiny was what Mr. G ironically called his number 2 who had scouted for new talent earlier in the week for a particular job that needed doing. Just outside the room where the two men were meeting was a potential new member of the team. They called him Phil.

Phil was dressed in a nice suit with a beautiful tie and leather shoes that shone like glass. But you couldn’t tell that from his posture or the disheveled look on his face. There was nothing in the man’s eyes but emptiness that stared at nothing in particular, but stared into that nothingness with such disdain. A handsome face hid behind 3 days worth of shag that sprouted with no apparent deliberation. His left hand was being cradled in his right. His right thumb and forefinger spun the tarnished gold band on his left ring finger with a begrudgingly slow rhythm as he waited to be called.

“Phil,” Tiny grunted as he opened the door, “Get in here.” Phil leapt to his feet and he eagerly strolled into the room that reeked of tobacco and bourbon. His shoulders slumped away from his head, not in defeat but from resignation of a life that was meant to be. Mr. G and Tiny sat in two folding chairs beneath a flickering, naked light bulb. Mr. G flashed a charming smirk Phil’s way and motioned to the third folding chair set in front of him.

“So, Phil,” Mr. G uttered, “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” Tiny gave the subtlest of smiles to Phil and nodded approvingly as if reassure him that things were going well. Mr. G showed less emotion than piece of granite, save for the occasional grunt. There was no shadow of an indication that the smirk he flashed earlier had happened at all.

“Well,” Phil answered attempting to find his balance with words, “I grew up in this neighborhood so I have heard of you. Also, I knew Tiny since I was a little kid. I went to school with him.”

“Do you know what we do?” Mr. G inquired.

“I have an idea,” Phil answered.

“What we do,” Tiny interrupted, “is we provide services of a varying nature. Essentially, we like to help out family. And anyone from around this neighborhood is family. If you need money, we lend it to you. If you need protection, we provide it. And so on.”

“Tiny, here, tells me that you’re in need of work.” Mr. G lit a cigarette and sucked the fire into his throat and breathed the smoke out his nostrils.

“I got a new job, but,” Phil hesitated, “But I’m looking to make a little extra on the side.” Phil continued to fondle the band on this finger.

“Well, this is quite a coincidence,” Mr. G chuckled, “I’ve got a job that sorely needs doing. And Tiny here seems to think that you’re best qualified for the job. Do you have any experience with jobs like this?”

“I can’t say that I do,” Phil stuttered as a bead of sweat formed on the back of his neck, “But I assure you that I’m the right man for the job.”

“That’s what Tiny tells me.” Mr. G spots the greenish gold band on Phil’s finger. “Do you have any experience in this line of work?”

“I can’t say that I do. But I heard about this job that needs doing.”

“If I may, Mr. G,” Tiny interjected, “I can vouch for this guy. He is definitely the right guy for the job.”

Mr. G took a long time to respond. His eyes darted between Phil and Tiny and rested on Phil’s unshaven face before squinting hard at him. “All right,” Mr. G finally responded, “tell him what the job is.” All three stood up and an exhausted smile carved itself into Phil’s face.

“There’s this punk named Tanner,” Tiny explained putting his hand on Phil’s shoulder, “He was just a nuisance, but lately he’s been attracting some unwanted attention.”

“Cops?” Phil asked.

“Cops, we can handle,” Mr. G answered, “The boy loves the spotlight, and he keeps bringing the media into the neighborhood. All it takes is for one stupid mistake to make it on T.V. and the politicians in my pocket will turn against our organization.”

“Lately, he’s been hanging out at that diner that you live above,” Tiny added, “But I think you know that already.”

“Have you met him before, Phil?” Mr. G asked.

“Sort of,” Phil answered. The three walked out of the room and Tiny turned the light off and shut the door behind them. They stood in front of the closed door to close the deal.

“It’ll be $50,000 to shut Tanner up… permanently.” Mr. G paused for a moment. “I just remembered that he’s been seen with a new girl lately. If you have to kill her too, then make sure that she’s got no other connections. I don’t want this to be a protracted thing. Seeing as how you’re from around there, you might even know who I’m talking about. Do you know if she’s married?” Phil ripped the gold band from his finger and tossed it into the wastebasket without looking.

“Not anymore, she isn’t,” Phil replied as he walked away.

“I told you he was the right guy for the job,” Tiny smirked at Mr. G who chuckled with approval.