eenage mediocrity. A faded poster of Green Day hung crook

face in harsh blue light. The computer whirred and groaned, the mo

me to

gers flew across the keyboard, typing a URL he hadn't needed

ched forward, pixel by pixel. Arlis tapped his finger on

loaded. He scroll

al Candida

primary selection tier prior to the interview phase, the se

e HR department at City Hall had quietly slipped the slot to Candidate Nu

this

He didn't write like a student asking for a fav

g Supplemental Candidate

it may

y request confirmation of adherence to State Personnel Board Regulation 104...

sperate. He set the email to schedule for Monday, 8:00 AM sharp. It would be t

parents were still awake, whispering. The

rdboard box. Inside was his suit. It was polyester, charcoal gray, bought a

t up in the hallway. He plugged in th

les vanish under the heat, he felt like he was ironing out the creases of his own soul. Eve

g the suit. It wasn't tailored, but it was clean, and

counter. "Crime rate in the East Dist

pouring himself coffee. "The new Mayor is going t

pot hovering over his mu

I borrow twenty bucks? I need to go to

e previous day. He handed them over without hesitation. Arlis took the money, the textur

protocol and his updated resume. As he walked ou

't Mr. Dumped,"

eaning against the brick wall, smoking a cig

ing for the classifieds?" she ask

been the poison in Hailee's ear, constantl

n his hand. He stepped close

d about your internship at the County Clerk's office. I he

loosely from her lips. That rumor hadn't

you talking abou

s shoes clicking on the pavement, heading t