The application questions were quite normal until I got to the part about dinosaurs. I was puzzled. Why did the IT department need to know about my favorite dinosaur? After staring for a moment, I answered and moved on.
When I finally got to the live interview, I asked my recruiter. His response didn’t help much.
“You’re Mr. Don Aplin?”
“Yes.”
“So, what IS your favorite dinosaur?”
“Kaiju, of course.” I repeated what I’d written on the form.
“Huh?”
“Um, Godzilla?”
The recruiter frowned. “Hmmm… I don’t think we’ve run into any of those. We’ll have to figure out what’s compatible with Godzilla.”
Wait. What?
What exactly was I signing up for?
“Um, sir? May I ask why…”
“No, you may not. Not yet,” he interjected before I could even finish my question. “But if you have an affinity for Godzilla, I’m certain you’ll be fine.”
He clapped his hands together. “Right. Let’s get you sorted, and on your way. I have dozens of new recruits coming through today. Gotta keep the line moving, ya know.” The recruiter stood, so I did too. He gestured for me to precede him out the door. As soon as I stepped into the hallway with its glaring, flickering (just on the edge of my vision) fluorescent lights, a middle-aged woman, steel gray hair pulled back into a severe bun (why did they all put their hair up like that?) appeared to my right.
“Thank you, Sergeant Smithers. I’ll take him from here.”
“Yes, ma’am, Captain Whistler.” The recruiter snapped off a precision salute, spun on his heel and marched back into his office. I stared after him. Nobody was wearing a uniform… why were they addressing each other with military titles and command structure?
“This way. Come.” Captain Whistler gestured sharply and strode off down the empty hallway.
I hurried to keep up. “Um, ma’am? Would it be possible to get a little more information on this, ah, unit? I’m afraid there was nothing in the recruiting materials…”
Without stopping, Captain Whistler turned to stare at me. “What do you mean, nothing in the materials? Were you not asked about your favorite dinosaur?”
“Um, yes, I mean, it was on the intake form, but before that there was nothing,” I managed to answer while trying not to look as out of shape as I felt.
“And as I understand it Mr. Aplin, you answered ‘kaiju’ for that particular question, did you not?”
“I did, but, um… why was that question asked?”
“Ah! You are looking for an explanation of this unit’s work,” the captain said, sounding very satisfied.
“Yes?”
“That will come in the orientation meeting. Which I will take you to once we get you fitted for your fire retardant gear.”
“Um, what? Fire retardant?” I started to slow down. What exactly was going on here?
“Your kaiju, Godzilla? He breathes fire, right Mr. Aplin?”
“Um, yes.”
“Well, then, you will need fire retardant gear in order to work with a Godzilla kaiju, correct?”
Okay, now things were getting out of hand. Work with Godzilla? On the one hand, totally cool! On the other hand… wait. How was this real?
Captain Whistler hadn’t stopped her determined march down the long hallway. I sped up to a quick trot to catch up to her.
“Okay. I’m in. What I gotta do?”
Without looking back, Whistler simply waved a hand forward. “Follow me.”
Life had just taken a very interesting turn!
Even though I still didn’t know what a kaiju might do for the IT department.
******
This prompt response is a small tribute to my late, great friend, Don Aplin, one of the best people I’ve ever known. He loved, loved, loved Godzilla and I think of him every time I see anything Godzilla related. Miss you, Don.
So what IS your favorite dinosaur? was the prompt flung at me by Marissa Marinello. My prompt went to nother Mike. If you make your way over to More Odds Than Ends you can check out what everyone else has done for their challenge.
Oh VERY nice!