The Internship Chapter 1

My name is Jack Neagly. I'm 20 years old. I have just graduated with honors, and I have a Master's degree from Trinity State University. I earned a double Master's in Business and Marketing.

You're probably wondering how I graduated at such a young age. The simple answer is I'm smart! Gifted, is what I've been told. I have an eidetic memory. My mother is a Phd. College professor. My father is a chemical engineer.

I was raised around books and educational games my entire life. My parents were big fans of the Baby Einstein Series for children and classical music. As a result, I graduated from High school when I was 13 years old.

I've been looking for an Internship for almost a year now. No one would hire a skinny 20-year-old boy. I was desperate to find an internship. I have been working as a barista at a local coffee shop for the last three years. I was made assistant manager a year ago. I got along great with the other girls who worked there, but none were interested in dating me. In fact, I never had more than two dates with the same girl.

I wasn't an ugly guy, but I wasn't muscular like other guys. I was a decent golfer. My mother taught me bowling. My dad taught me chess when I was 6 years old. I was twelve when I beat him the first time.

I was working full-time at the coffee shop. I spent every free minute sending out resumes. I must have sent out over four hundred resumes and another 150 applications. I only had 15 Teams interviews.

I was beginning to think I'd never find a job. It's been 3 months since I graduated and I was striking out everywhere. I signed up on six different career apps. Every day I struck out, it was only making things more difficult.

I was on my break at the coffee shop when my phone started blowing up. My email and my job app alerts started going off. I checked my email, and there was an email for a job interview in Los Angeles.

I replied to the email and selected my time slot for a phone interview. I called them the next day.

The company, Sierens Corporation, was based just north of Los Angeles California. I did some research and found out they manufactured everything from pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to women's fashions and self-care products. They were also a Fortune 500 company. It was a paid internship position.

I talked to a very nice and articulate woman named Sheila on the phone. Her voice sounded smooth and seductive. We talked for an hour. Before the call was over, I was emailed a plane ticket, hotel reservation, and an itinerary of my trip.

One week later

I was sitting in a business class seat, waiting for takeoff. As the jet taxied for takeoff I was excited. Worst-case scenario, I get to spend a couple of nights in LA. Best case scenario I get the job! Either way, I couldn't lose.

When I landed at LAX I was greeted by Sheila. She was a beautiful woman. She looked like Cindy Crawford's clone. I was grateful I was dressed in my taupe double-breasted suit.

Jack Neagly? She asked.

Yes! I answered.

Welcome to LA! I'm Sheila Nickels! We spoke on the phone.

Nice to meet you, Ms Nickels!

Please call me Sheila! I'll be your sponsor during your stay, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Thank you, Sheila.

Are you hungry? She asked.

I'm okay for now! I said.

I missed lunch today. I hate eating alone. She said.

Okay! I said.

Sheila made a call and made a reservation.

We got in the back of a black Escalade. She told the driver to take us to the Biltmore Hotel. I was checked in. The hotel was like a palace. I was given a studio suite. The room was huge and beautiful. It was a thousand times nicer than my crappy apartment.

Sheila took me to the Brazilian Steakhouse. Sheila paid for dinner on the company credit card. We both had the prime rib and lobster tail special. I ate everything. I haven't eaten this well in over a year. The last time I ate this well was when my parents came to visit me. They were both in Sweden doing research.

We made small talk during dinner, it felt like a first date interview. Sheila was charming and professional. She told me she was 28 years old. She was hired by the company straight out of college. She started as an intern and was recently promoted to the director of Human Resources.

Don't take this the wrong way Sheila, but I have to ask, isn't picking up people at the airport a bit below your pay grade?

That's actually a good question! Normally it is! However, due to a shortage of personnel, it fell to me. I don't mind! It gave me a chance to get out of the office early. Plus I wanted to meet you! It's also a great excuse to charge a nice dinner on my company card.

At least she's honest! I thought to myself.

We finished dinner, and I thanked her for her honesty and generosity.

Rest up! We have a big day tomorrow! I'll meet you in the lobby at 8 am!

Thank you, Sheila!

You're welcome, Jackie! She said affectionately and smiled sweetly.

I couldn't stop smiling as she walked out of the SUV. My mind was spinning at her calling me Jackie! Only my mother called me Jackie and not since grade school. I brushed it off as her way of being friendly.

My room had a free dry cleaning service. I laid out my suit to be dry-cleaned. I laid out my things for the morning and took a long steamy shower. I used the hotel-supplied shampoo and conditioner. I used the pink liquid soap, which smelled like apples.

I used their shaving cream on my face. I always had a small shadow of whiskers on my chin and sideburns. If I shaved twice in less than 12 hours it wasn't as noticeable. I wanted to continue to make a good impression. I need this job. I wasn't sure what it was yet but I didn't care! A paid internship is too good to pass down.

After an hour in the shower, I felt cleaner and my skin felt smoother and softer than ever! My face was smooth and free of any whisker shadow. I noticed some body hair on the shower floor. My body hair was never heavy to begin with, but now I had less body hair than before.

I fell asleep in the white silk pajamas the hotel provided. I set my alarm for 6 am. I wanted to be waiting for Sheila in the lobby when she showed up.

I was up just as the alarm went off on my phone. I took another shower and shaved to energize myself. I made a small cup of coffee in the coffee machine. I noticed that when I finished my shower, I had even less body hair than before. When I shaved I didn't feel any whiskers to shave. My face was as smooth and soft as a ten-year-old boy's! It was actually a comfort to see myself looking smooth-faced and professional.

I looked in the mirror. Jack, it's time to kick some ass! Let's do this! I said aloud in the mirror! I was in the Lobby at 7:29 am. I started reading the newspaper. I kept one eye on the revolving door.

At 7:52 Sheila walked into the Lobby. I folded up the paper and smiled.

Ready to go? She said with a bright friendly smile.

Yes ma'am! I said formerly.

We got into the Escalade, and there were two Venti Starbucks cups in the console.

I got you a coffee! Frozen Caramel Cappuccino with an extra shot of espresso, right? Sheila asked.

How'd you know? I asked.

I do my research! Sheila said with a smile. We like our people to be happy.

Thank you, Sheila!

You're welcome, Jackie!

There's that name again "Jackie"! I didn't say anything to correct her. I need this job, so I figured it was best to let it go for now.

We drove an hour north of Los Angeles on the I-5. We drove through the city of Valencia. We drove about another ten minutes and we were in the middle of nowhere. It looked like farmland, like back outside of Bloomington, Indiana.

We drove up a large hill. When we got to the top of the hill, I looked out of the windshield, and there was an enormous security fence. We soon arrived at the security gate. Our IDs were scanned, I was given a visitor badge, and we entered the compound. It was more than a compound, it was like a small city.

Sheila explained that they were totally self-sufficient. Several Windmills provided electricity and they had their own natural gas supply. They had a hospital, a small village of restaurants, bars, and a nightclub. They had a large recreation center and an 18-hole golf course.

This is impressive! I said

We like it! You will too! Sheila said. Those tall buildings grouped together to your left are the apartments where most of the employees live. There are two indoor Olympic-size pools and several hot tubs. In the center of them is a large quad for cookouts, volleyball, and tennis. There's also a fitness center in every building with onsite personal trainers too!

Your company thought of everything! I exclaimed.

There's even an airport on the far north side of the compound.

The driver drove us around the entire complex. The massive buildings and warehouses had semi trucks coming and going. There was another large building that said Research and Development.

We drove back to the main office building. We went up to 12 12th floor. Sheila led me into a conference room. Everyone stood up when we entered. There were seven women, not one man.

I was introduced to each one individually. I was being treated like a VIP.

Welcome Jackie! I'm Simone Langford CEO and Chairperson of Sierens Corporation and Holdings.
Would you like something to eat or drink before we start?

No ma'am! I'm fine thank you. We have several questions for you today. But first, what do you think of our facility?

It's beyond impressive! I said.

We try to keep everything centralized for the sake of security. We protect our people and our intellectual property.

That's very understandable! I said.

Now let's get started!

I was questioned 10 different ways on Sunday. They asked about my childhood, parents, mostly it was psychological-type questions. They asked about my education and how I was able to accomplish so much at such a young age.

They asked about my hobbies and my Interests. They even complimented me on my suit. They were a gift from my parents after I graduated grad school. Brooks Brothers, it's the only suits my father would wear.

They grilled me on my education asking me all kinds of questions like my professors did. I was nervous beyond belief, but I didn't crack! My parents used to grill me all the time with my homework. That treatment came in real handy today.

After two hours of questions (interrogation I thought to myself), I was finished.

Thank you for being so forthcoming with us! I know our interview methods are unconventional. We have to be very selective of the people we interview and hire. Ms Langford said.

I totally understand Ms Langford! Thank you for the opportunity! I said.

Sheila will you take our guest to the cafeteria for some refreshments, he's earned it!

Come on Jackie! Right this way

The cafeteria was on second floor. When we walked in it smelled like a five star restaurant. They had a buffet, a made to order grill and a huge salad and fresh fruit bar. There was a large soda fountain like you would see in large gas station the coffee station was impressive too.

I made a seafood salad. I didn't want anything to heavy. Sheila copied my Salad idea. I really liked Sheila. She is a very thoughtful and polite person. I could tell Sheila was a lot smarter than she pretended to be. I'm fine with it I do the same thing!

We made the polite, getting to know you conversation. Sheila was probing me pretty good too! I kept my answers honest and simple.

Tell me about yourself Sheila?

I have a master's degree in psychology and a bachelor's in sociology from UCLA. I'm a California girl! I grew up in Santa Barbara! My father is a postmaster back home and my mother is an Account. I played golf, tennis and volleyball in highschool and Volleyball in college.

Can I ask you a personal question? I asked.

Let me guess! Am I married?

Yes, if I'm being honest! I'm not trying to be forward, just curious.

If you must know! I was engaged 3 years ago but he broke it off. I haven't seen him since. I moved into an apartment here and just concentrated on my career. I love my work. Meeting you and spending time away from my office has been great. I really hope you get the job. You have my vote!

Thanks Sheila, I hope so too! This place is amazing! Everyone seems so happy.

I was looking around while we ate and talked. I saw a few men, but not very many. Most of the men were custodians. I saw a few men in their 40's in suits, but they looked like they were answering to women. I could be wrong.

Buzz, buzz!

Sheila picked up her phone.

Yes ma'am! 15 minutes! We'll see you then! Thank you Ms Langford.

What's going on Sheila?

Ms Langford wants to see us in fifteen minutes. So let's freshen up and I'll take you to her office.

I went to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet. I washed my hands and face. I wasn't sure what was next. All I knew was I'd know my fate was less than 10 minutes.

Sheila hooked my arm and smiled. Let's go Jackie!

We rode up to the 15th floor. As we approached the reception desk, the Receptionist said your expected Ms please please go right in! We walked through the double door into a very elegant office. The office was a corner office with a panoramic view. It had a beautiful view of the first hole of the golf course.

The office was painted light gray with white trim and mouldings. The ceiling was a tray ceiling with recessed lighting and in wall white selves and cabinets. The floors were white and gray marble with sculpted gray carpet sections. Her office chair was white leather. Her desk was glass top over white steel x framed desk.

Jackie, Sheila! Please sit! Ms Langford said with a smile. In front of her was a pink folder with the company logo on it. I could see about twenty pages in it.

Jackie let's talk about your future! Ms Langford said.