Exit interview
By: Phil Safari on May 31 2009Category: Story
Phil Safari, a reluctant Candidate, must prove himself worthy to the gods by completing a Heroic Task: change 1000 lives for the better… or else! This is an episode of the philosophical sci-fi webserial, the Safaris.
I hadn’t slept all night, yet I felt alert and alive — arguably more so than I had in months. I needed to talk to my boss, so I went into work early to catch him before the day’s madness overwhelmed him.
“Do you have a minute, Dr. Rhame?” I asked as he walked in.
“Sure, Phil. Come in and have a seat. What’s on your mind?”
I sat quietly for a minute as Dr. R was getting situated. My heart felt as though it would jump out of my chest. Knowing what you need to do and doing it are two different things!
I took a deep breath. “So, I’ve been here over a year now, and I have a pretty good grasp of how things work here. I’m pretty sure that this is not where I belong.”
Dr. R paused and looked up. “So you are telling me that you want to leave, is that it? Does this have anything to do with what happened yesterday?”
Yesterday? Oh yeah, the blowup…It seems like ages ago. “No, this feeling has been brewing for a long time now. Yesterday was just the last straw. Aside from the few dedicated individuals like you, this place has no redeeming value.”
“What are you going to do instead?”
“I don’t know exactly. I’m going to take some time off to think about it, but one option is teaching.”
“Teaching? We definitely need good teachers, but don’t be too hasty to leave, Phil. Look, you have some leadership qualities like listening, critical thinking, and vision, and you would be a good manager 5 to 10 years from now. I encourage you to stick it out, especially if you don’t have a definite alternative. The bad elements will eventually leave, or you can always transfer to a different department.”
Unfortunately, Dr. R, I won’t be alive that long, I thought grimly. “Thank you for the kind words, Dr. Rhame, but I cannot stay. All those qualities that you like are eroding every day that I remain here. In 5 to 10 years, I wouldn’t be the same person.”
Dr. R sighed. “Well, it seems like you’ve made up your mind, so I won’t stop you.” He extended his hand. “Best wishes on whatever you choose to do, Phil. You are a good man, and I know that you’ll do great job.”
I shook his hand. “Thanks, Dr. Rhame…for everything. I learned a lot here about work, people, and myself.”
“Oh, my pleasure, Phil.”
The rotund figure of Dr. Rhame quickly morphed into the familiar svelte form of Athena. I groaned. “Indeed, it is a pleasure for me to say this: Congratulations, Phil! You passed the Test. I must admit that you had me worried a couple of times, but you pulled through in the end.”
“Leave me alone, Athena. I’m not scared of you or Zeus any longer.” The words came out calmly and surprisingly devoid of anger and malice.
“You don’t need to be. You are a free man now, Phil.”
“You’ll pardon me if I had my doubts,” I said.
Athena sighed. “I’m sorry, Phil. I know that we haven’t always been on the best of terms, but I’ve always had your best interests at heart. For this to work, you must believe that. From this point forward, I pledge to be entirely candid with you. I swear it by the River Styx.”
I was stunned speechless at the sudden turn of events. This most solemn and binding oath was never used lightly. “Wow, I guess that you are serious then.”
Athena nodded solemnly. “I will answer any question that you might have. Anything.”
I ran a hand through my hair and puffed my cheeks. Blowing the air out, I said, “Alright, fine. Tell me everything, starting from the beginning.”
“You want answers?”
“I want the truth!!”
“You can’t handle the truth!” She laughed, “Very well, but I suggest you have a seat. It’s a lot to take in at once.”
“I’m fine.”
“Alright, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
And with that, Athena began to tell the most remarkable tale, one that would shatter my world forever.
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