interview 1: work-life balance and retirement
pt.1 of the exclusive tapes!
Interviewer: Pro-Hero Karma, thank you very much for agreeing to meet with us today. We're very grateful that you've cleared out our schedule for us.
Karma: That's no problem at all. I've been looking forward to doing one of these. I haven't done so in a while.
Interviewer: That's right. We've been trying to get a hold of you for a while now.
Karma (chuckling): I know, I'm sorry about that. You can't imagine how busy I've been these days.
Interviewer: That's not a problem, sir. But on that note, do you find it hard to maintain a work-life balance if your schedule is constantly packed?
Karma: Wow, okay. We're getting straight into it (Interviewer: We are.). Okay, uh. I would say it depends. Usually, I try to maintain a on-shift and off-shift timing so that means I try to go home at a certain time everyday if I can. Y'know, so I can see my daughter and just relax and be myself. But with being a hero - especially one so in-demand - it's getting harder to maintain that nowadays.
Interviewer: Would you say that it has anything to do with the rising villain attack rates as of late?
Karma: Hm, well yes that could be a contributing factor. But sometimes it also depends on the season. In intern season - so like June or December - it can get hectic cause you've go so many people applying from all over the country and then you've got to put in the effort the train them and show them the ropes. Not that I mind! (Interviewer: Of course.) But yeah, it's a lot.
Karma: Then there's also the holiday seasons. Christmas and New Year's. Those are some of the busiest times 'cause everyones out and about so we've got to have more guys on the ground just to watch out for trouble or do other less-obvious things of equal importance like crowd control.
Interviewer: It sounds like December to January would be the busiest period for Pro-Heroes, then.
Karma: Yeah, yeah it is. Those days I do spend a few days overnight at the office because I've just got so much work and it's better to keep on going than to just stop the flow and start over with a new day.
Interviewer: How would that be possible whilst being a father? Aren't you Akio's only legal guardian?
Karma: It's gotten easier as she's grown older. When she was younger, we had a family friend who would help look after her for a bit when work was at it's peak. Because obviously she needs someone. But now as she entered high school and is finishing it I can let her be more independent. She's a big girl now - already 18! And I do try to minimise those days as much as I can. But sometimes, duty calls! Hahah.
Interviewer: Well I'm sure I can speak for the citizens that we're all very grateful for the hard work you do keeping our city same.
Karma: Oh it's nothing. It's my job, after all! Hahah.
Interviewer: This is something that you've just touched on. But i'd like to go into more depth if you don't mind. (Karma: Sure, go on.) How do you think fatherhood has affected your career? And what do you have to say about the rumours of you retiring from being a Pro-Hero?
Karma: Wow, alright. Alright. Can I answer the second question first?
Karma: Okay, so I just want to say that I love being a Pro-Hero, always have. I feel really lucky that this is my job and I get to do what I love day in and day out. But retirement is inevitable. When I do eventually retire, it'll be at a point where I deem suitable. Y'know, when I have finished all that I've intended to do in work but also for society. I'm not just gonna leave you guys hanging, y'know?
Interviewer: So do you have plans of retiring anytime soon? Or is this something of the far future?
Karma: No comment. Can I answer the first question now? (Interviewer: Please do.)
Karma: Fatherhood has definitely changed my career and how I go about it. Not only in how much time I can dedicate to work versus home. But also my mindset when I'm going into the field. When I go out there, protecting the people and dealing with villains, it's no longer "I'm doing this because I'm a hero". There's another layer. I'm now also thinking, "I'm doing this to protect my family. And I have to come home." Yeah, I think that's the biggest change for me. Maybe it's a little selfish but the urge to come back home alive is what keeps me going now. I'm not blindly fighting every battle and giving myself away.
Karma (cont.): I was reckless when I was younger. Mainly because I didn't really have someone to live for other than myself. And when it's just yourself, you tend to not value it as much. But now that I've got a little girl who's expecting her daddy to come home every night - I can't let her down, y'know? Especially- well especially after she's already lost so much when she was too young.
Interviewer: Some would say that it was a great loss for you too, Karma.
Karma: ... Yeah, it was too. But- I mean. I do feel she's lost more in the sense of- she's never going to experience having a mother like most kids do. And she deserves that. That's a whole life of experience that she's missing out on because Mei Lin didn't- yeah. Yeah, I just think of that mostly when I'm out there now.
Interviewer: Alright, that's all the time we have for questions today I'm afraid.
Karma: Already?! Wow, that was fast.
Interviewer: What can I say? You're a very talkative man, Karma.
Karma: Am I?! Sorry about that.
Interviewer (chuckling): No, no. That is good. You're an ideal interviewee. Thank you for being so cooperative with us so far.
Interviewer: We'll hopefully be back with more questions from the public soon.
Karma: Sure, just let my PA know and I'll try to get back to you when I can.
Interviewer: Alright. Very nice meeting you today, Karma.