It’ll Eat You Up At Night
Inspired by http://writing-prompt-s.tumblr.com/post/166541059480/in-a-world-where-people-can-actually-die-of
I had been watching him for a few days. With what I’ve observed and the information my contact gave me, I’m good to go.
This guy should be easy, I use to wonder why no one did it themselves. After a few jobs it became clear, no one wanted to be connected to it. Alex Koan had an interview at the nearby coffee shop. It was clear that he becomes nervous in situations that may have an impact in his future. A messy interview will be easy.
This place held interviews at a table among other customers. I entered the building and sat at a table pretending to wait for someone. Alex came in a little after me. I relaxed, relieved that the interview wasn’t rescheduled. He conveniently sat near me, my suspicion has been lowered as a suspect. The more choices he makes, the less they think it was planned.
I went back to waiting for me “date”. Alex is visibly nervous so I turn to him, “You waiting for a date too?” He jumps at the sound of my voice.
“Oh, no. I don’t have a date. It’s an interview.” He looks around for the employer, “Is is that obvious that I’m scared?” I simply nod my head, just to raise his anxiety. No one heard our conversation, they won’t know what I did.
“I might as well get a drink, I swear this place is the spot to be turned down.” I stand after speaking and head to the counter.
During that time a professional looking woman enters the ares through an employee’s only door. She looks around until she spotted Alex Koan. They started the interview before I’d returned with my coffee. I mouthed “good luck” at him as I passed their table to sit at mine.
From a distance, the interview would appear to be going well, for the most part it was. It was clear though, that he was not getting the job. They didn’t talk for more than a half hour, Alex shook the woman's hand whom I learned their name was Jeanette by listening in. Jeanette returned behind the employee’s only door.
once the door shut Alex turned to me, “I’m guessing you could hear some of it, how did I do?”
I sipped my coffee and asked, “Do you have a family?”
Alex looked confused but shook his head. “Girlfriend, I’m gonna call her to let her know if I got the job.”
Now I’m not sure how soon his embarrassment will kick in. It could be right after the bitter truth has left my mouth. he could cause an accident thinking about it on the way home, or in bed late at night alone with his thoughts replaying every mistake in his head. This is the risk no one wants, to have him break out now and drop at their feet, making them the prime suspect.
“Truthfully, tell your girlfriend you didn’t get the job.” Alex’s face dropped. “You stuttered like a broken car and your hands were under the table the entire time.”
Alex looks at his hand, “Is there anything else?” He was clearly trying to cover his shame.
“Yes, you vomit words and share way too much.”
Alex Koan stands, “Thank you” and he walks out of the building.
A week later I had a woman, Elizabeth Ryne, enter my office. She looked around at the news paper articles on my wall.
“You can pin his on the wall if you’d like.” I slid the news of Alex Koans death across my desk with a push pin beside it. “After all, he was you boyfriend not mine. It’s only fair.”
