Firefly in Japan

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The scene : Tokyo, Japan. I'm living on borrowed money, cup noodles, rice balls and a pure sense of fierce determination to survive, and pay back my friends. After being fired from a job teaching English, I had completely run out of prospects. I became depressed with my dismal situation. Then I kicked my own ass, and went to an internet cafe and applied at 115 companies. I got one interview with an odd old Japanese guy, which I failed in short order. I got countless rejection notices from companies, but finally I had a request for an interview at an IT company. Now begins part 3.

I felt like Japan was testing me. Seeing if I had what it takes. One guy at martial arts often talked about the “martial arts god”, who looks after people who come to Japan with the serious intent to learn martial arts. “If you just commit yourself to martial arts, things will happen,” he told me, as we sat on a train speeding through the Japanese countryside. “You’ll find a way to stay. After a while, the martial arts god will say ‘this guys got enough mettle to handle budo, and Japan. I better sort him out with a place to stay, a job, and a woman.’, and then you’ll be fine”.

His words echoed in my head, as I was doing internal somersaults of joy. An interview! For IT! I was happy beyond words. An IT job would surely pay more than an English teaching job. And I’m really good at IT. The interview will be easy. I can’t believe how lucky I am! I went around to all my friends at Sakura House, and told them of my good fortune with my job search. I called my friends and family at home, and told them a shortened version of the story you’ve been reading. At first they were shocked with what happened to me, but eventually were surprised and happy that I managed to get an interview. “Good luck, we’re on your side!” they encouraged me. Their warm words from hundreds of kilometers away warmed my heart and calmed my nerves.

I spent the next 5 hours into the night researching everything about the company. Management, services, products, contact details, location, goals. I went through hundreds of sample scenarios and questions in my head. I was ready for absolutely anything that could have happened. Except what happened.

I arrived to the station 2 hours before the interview. I found the office quickly with the map I had drawn onto paper. I walked around, and noted the distance and location of several surrounding train stations. I calculated the fastest and most efficient train route from my station. I looked at my watch. 15 minutes to go. My heart started beating slightly faster, as I remembered my friends and familys words of encouragement. 5 minutes. I stood in front of the office. Here we go. I walked into the building, and took the elevator to the 4th floor. I walked in, and picked up the reception phone with one clammy, nervous hand.

"Hello," my voice cracked. "I’m… I have, an, interview. For a job. At 5pm." I gulped. Get it together, you fucking wuss. Come on.

"Sure, please wait there." A friendly female voice chirped back. I selected a seat, and waited. It was only 5 minutes, but it felt like 10 years.

Finally, a man walked out. He was tall, and looked generally uncomfortable. He looked me up and down, and frowned. My internal organs shrunk slightly. "Uh, I'm Shane. Uh... this way." Shane guided me into a meeting room. I smiled as gracefully as my nerves would allow, and managed to seat myself at the table without knocking over any plants or breaking any equipment. This is my final interview in Japan. Better make it a good one.

He stared at me from across the table. I returned his gaze with a uncertain, nervous smile. My blood pressure continued rising. For one irrational moment, I was worried that Shane could hear me sweating profusely. My throat went dry. My head became weightless, and threatened to depart from my shoulders and float back to Australia.

Suddenly, I was relaxed. I was calm, and controlled. My nervousness was immediately replaced with a cold determination, and intense feeling of confidence. I had only a moment to figure out what was happening to me, before Shane started talking.

"Nice to meet you. Hm. I checked your resume again, and you didn't have quite as much experience as I remembered. I hope this interview won't be a waste of your time," he said in a reserved tone. I could tell he was having second thoughts after meeting me face to face. Previously, this statement and realisation would have frozen me into silence and inaction. However, inexplicably, I knew exactly what to say.

"Shane, if I was in your position, I would probably think exactly the same thing." I said with a hint of a smile, and a calm, relaxed confidence. "What I feel I should tell you though, is the experience and skills that I have. The skills that your clients need." Shane almost imperceptibility raised an eyebrow. In a detached way, my previous nervous persona tried to figure out what was going on.

"I was browsing the jobs available section of company site after your email yesterday. I noticed a disproportionate trend towards requiring technicians with skill in these technologies, " I listed various technologies from the website. "Let me tell you about my experience in these areas." I described some project work I had done.

Shane asked me a few questions. My mind was so focussed, and working so hard that time just slowed to a crawl. I had a leisurely amount of time to consider the best answer among 5 different combinations my mind offered. After some consideration, I repeatedly selected the best of the 5, and replied as such. He asked me a few trick questions, but I could see them almost before he started talking. My previous nervous persona was becoming excited. This new, cool relaxed persona was nonplussed.

I finished talking. He finished questioning. He looked at me curiously. I evenly returned his stare. I could see him thinking. Oddly enough, I already knew what he would say.

"Well, uh, hm. I think, you should probably meet the President of the company." Shane said, finally.

"Right," I said, expecting this turn of events. "When is he around?" I asked.

"Uhh, I think, uh, he is around tomorrow. About the same time. Uhhh." Shane said.

"Alright, I'll come back tomorrow at 5pm. It was a pleasure meeting you. Thanks very much for your time." I said, shook Shane's hand, and left.

I walked outside, to feel the hot summer air on my face. I deeply inhaled, closed my eyes, and smiled. "Thanks, god of martial arts," I said with genuine gratitude, as I began the walk back to the station.

Well that was easy. All I need to do now, is meet the President. I'm sure it will go just as smoothly.

I was very, very wrong.