Pucci 1

Johnpaul Pucci
Professor Rampelli
Study of British Literature
5/10/16
Title
Beep! The coffee machine came to life just as it does at exactly nine every morning. The
sweet yet strong aroma of hazelnut coffee wafted its way from the kitchen upstairs to where Ben
was sleeping. Ben sat up and took a deep breath in through his nose, admiring the scent of the
freshly brewed coffee his new machine had prepared for him. He had a few minutes before he
needed to get up so he reached under his pillow for his phone. In place of reading the morning
paper, Ben scrolled through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see what he missed while
asleep. All the cool kids as they were called had gone to a local bar for what was apparently
the greatest night of their lives. Picture after picture of college students taking part in under-age
drinking and drug usage scrolled from the bottom the phones screen to the top of the screen,
eventually disappearing only to be replaced by another. As he switched from app to app, Ben
found himself thinking about how foolish his classmates were.
They must know that posting photos like that can come back to haunt them. he said to himself
as he rolled out of bed and prepared himself for the day. He went downstairs, filled his aluminum
thermos with fresh coffee, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and went on his way to class.
Ben pulled into his usual spot on campus. Before leaving his car, he reached into the front
pocket of his backpack and retrieved a pair of headphones. There was nothing he feared more
than social interaction. He had no problem communicating online with his buddies while playing
video games. The thought of having real conversation, however, petrified him. He kept his head

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down and was careful to avoid eye contact with anyone as he walked across campus. All of a
sudden, Ben bumped into something solid.
Watch where youre walking man! Adam shouted.
Sorry. Ben said at a volume a little louder than a whisper, and hurried away with his eyes
fixated on his own feet. Ben and Adam had known each other for quite some time, growing up
only a block away from each other. It became apparent early in their lives, however, that there
were great differences between the two boys. Ben loved video games and school but hated
socializing while Adam lived for sports, girls, parties, and alcohol. Adam was considered one of
the cool kids on campus and was one of the many people who had posted pictures from the prior
nights party. Secretly, Ben envied Adam because of the ease in which he was able to interact
with anyone and everyone. At the same time, however, he felt bad for Adam because of the sense
of foolishness he exhibited in flaunting the fact that he liked to party on Twitter and Instagram.
Ben had been lectured time and time again by his parents about social media.
If you ever want to get a job when you get out of school, you better be prudent while posting on
Twitter Bens father would tell him. The last thing your future boss needs to see is you
chugging a beer or hitting a bong with your friends.
As he was leaving campus, Ben noticed a bright green flier hanging in the stairwell.
While he never paid any mind to the fliers, this one caught his attention.
Microsoft virtual gaming development- Summer interns needed- PAID positions available! the
flier read. Ben nearly jumped out of skin with excitement. He became entranced in the idea of
designing the very video games that he would play. If there was any job cut out for him, it was
surely this one. Bens excitement was quickly neutralized; however, as he thought about the

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dreaded interview process he would have to go through. He began to envision himself in a

formal job interview. His palms became slick with sweat and his heart began to beat at rate so
quickly that Ben began to lose his breath. He calmed himself down, detached a strip from the
bottom of the flier containing the companys contact information, and slipped it in his wallet
snug between two one dollar bills. If there was any opportunity ideal enough for Ben, this
opening at Microsoft was the one.
Later that night, Ben was in his room preparing for finals when there was a knock at his
door.
Hey Bud, his father said, were ordering pizza for dinner and I need a couple singles to tip the
delivery boy with. Do you have any cash on you?
Look in my wallet. Its on the kitchen counter. Ben said, keeping his eyes fixated on the
Calculus problem he was trying to solve. Please shut my door behind you.
When the pizza came, Bens dad fumbled through Bens wallet and retrieved two dollar
bills on the way to the door. He paid the delivery boy and was shutting the door when the boy
called him.
Excuse me Sir, but I dont think you meant to give me this he said, handing Bens father a
scrap of green paper.
Youre right. Bens father agreed as he took back the slip. Sorry about that. He then shut the
door and walked to the kitchen studying the scrap of paper that he almost gave to the delivery
boy as a tip.

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At the dinner table, Ben was concentrated on applying an even layer of grated cheese to
his slice of pizza when his father asked him about the green scrap of paper.
When I went to tip the delivery boy a green piece of paper fell out of your wallet. What was it?
He asked, bending the truth a bit.
Nothing. Said Ben as he concentrated on his slice.
The number and email of Microsofts recruiting department is far from nothing, Ben. His
father said. Ben was beginning to get flustered when his mother interjected.
Benjamin were your parents. She said, We only want the best for you. You can tell us
anything. Ben sighed.
Theyre looking for a Summer intern in their virtual gaming department. He said.
Thats right down your alley, Sweetie! Bens mother said, You should apply!
I dont think Im going to. I really dont want to go for an interview. he said, Im really
nervous. Bens father reached across the table, snatching Bens phone.
Thats because youre far too attached to this. It controls your life and prevents you from
gaining the experience of human interaction! Bens father said, shaking the phone in his hand.
This is the perfect opportunity for you. When you finish studying, send that person at Microsoft
a copy of your resume. If they follow up Ill work with you and do practice interviews with you.
Ill think about it. Said Ben.
When he finished studying for his calculus final, Ben reached into his wallet and
retrieved the green scrap of paper. He prepared an email for the recruiter and drew in a deep

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breath as he prepared to click the send button. Once he clicked that button, he knew there was no
going back. He closed his eyes and pictured himself designing a game that millions of people
worldwide would play. Before he could change his mind, he clicked the send button, closed his
laptop, and went to sleep.
Just as it does every morning, the warm, comforting scent of hazelnut coffee made its
way into Bens room at nine AM, gently waking him up. He sat up, stretched, and retrieved his
phone. Upon opening Twitter the first thing he saw was an image Adam had posted of himself
standing on a table while chugging a bottle of liquor. Ben snorted in disgust and closed the app.
He then saw a red circle next to his email app indicating that he had one unread message. He
opened the email began to read it.
Benjamin,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us. We received your email this morning and would love
to have you in for an interview. Does this Friday at noon work for you?
All the Best,
Sarah, Microsoft recruiting department
The sweet scent of hazelnut coffee quickly lost its appeal as Ben began to panic. Friday was only
two days away and he knew as well as anyone that he was by no means ready for this interview.
He ran downstairs into the kitchen, slipping many times as his socks skid across the slick tile
floor. His father was seated at the kitchen table reading the morning paper.
Look! Ben shouted as he threw his phone on the table, They want me to go in for an interview
on Friday. We need to prepare! Bens father read the email with excitement.

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Thats great! He exclaimed. Well prepare when you get home from class tonight and then
spend the whole day tomorrow going over interview questions. Ben then filled his thermos with
coffee and was out the door. The whole day was a blur as he struggled to contain his excitement
and nervousness.
When Ben arrived home, he found his father in the waiting room waiting for him. On the
couch was Bens suit which had been freshly pressed along with a new belt, shirt, tie, and pair of
shoes.
The first thing you need to do, Son, is make an impression. I pressed your suit and bought all
the things you need to make a great first impression. He said pointing to the spread of clothes.
Next, you need to look and sound confident. You cant let the nervousness get to you, it will
make you look weak. Ben and his father spent the remainder of the night and duration of the
next day preparing for the interview. By the end of Thursday night, Ben was able to ace every
single mock question his father asked him and had a confident demeanor about him that neither
of his parents had seen before. His father grabbed him by each of his shoulders.
This internship is yours to lose, Son. He said, After last night and today I have all the faith in
the world in you acing this interview. Now go get some sleep. You have the biggest day of your
life ahead of you tomorrow.
At nine the next morning, the scent of fresh coffee made its way into Bens room where
he was already and preparing for his interview. He had shaved, showered, and was in the process
of putting his suit on when his father came into his room.
Im heading out for the day but I just wanted to wish you good luck today. He said.
Remember what I told you. Confidence is key! After his father left, Ben went downstairs and

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had a cup of coffee while rehearsing the interview prompts he had gone over with his father. At
eleven, Ben threw on his suit jacket and left for his interview.
Ben parked his car, entered the office, checked in, and was waiting to be called in for his
interview when he heard a familiar voice call him.
Ben? What the hell are you doing here? Adam said as he exited the interview room.
Im interviewing for the internship. Ben said with a tone of shyness in his voice
I just got out of my interview. I absolutely killed it in there! You may as well just go home
now. Said Adam as he left the office. Ben began to panic. He knew that Adam had amazing
social skills and thought there was new way he would win the job when placed up against Adam.
Every ounce of confidence that Ben had worked on establishing into his body left him all at
once. The room felt twenty degrees warmer as Bens palms began to sweat and beads of sweat
formed on his forehead. As he was trying to calm himself, his name was called. He wiped his
hands dry against his pants, used his sleeves to wipe the beads of perspiration from his forehead,
and went in for his interview.
Much to the demise of Ben, the interview did not go as planned at all. He found himself
stuttering and stumbling over his words. He even lost track of the questions being asked of him.
Ben recalled the words of his father.
Remember what I told you, confidence is key! Ben was ashamed of himself. He arrived home
and dragged his feet through the living room.
How was the interview? His father called excitedly from the kitchen
Alright. Ben said on his way up to his room.

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At Microsoft, the head of human resources found herself having trouble picking out the
most qualified candidate for the internship. On the floor laid a high pile of shredded paper that
had once been the resumes of applicants for the summer internship. On her desk laid two
resumes. One would eventually fall victim to the shredder while the other would belong to the
applicant who would be offered the position. The resumes belonged to Ben and Adam. She
recalled her interviews with each applicant.
Ben was very timid and didnt seem confident at all. Adam on the other hand was very friendly
and didnt seem to be nervous whatsoever. She said to her assistant. Go do a simple
background check on Adam. If all goes well, well offer him the position. The assistant went to
his desk, opened up a web browser, and searched Adams name. The first link that came up was a
link to his Twitter account. The assistant was flabbergasted. Picture after picture appeared on his
screen of Adam drinking and doing drugs. He printed every single picture and brought them to
his boss.
These were all on Adams Twitter account. He said. I did a search on Ben and didnt find
anything alarming at all. I think hes the safer bet.
Ben was lying in bed with his face buried in his pillow, sulking at the opportunity he had
blown when his phone vibrated, alerting him to the fact that he had a new email. He opened the
email and read it.
Benjamin,
Thank you so much for coming in and interviewing with us today. After carefully reviewing each
applicants resume, we determined that you are an ideal fit for us. Please give us a call at your
earliest convenience to confirm your internship for the summer.

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I look forward to working with you,

Sarah, Microsoft Recruiting Department
Ben jumped so high that he bumped his head on the ceiling above his bed. He read the email
over and over again, thinking that there had to be some kind of mistake.
I cant believe it. He said to himself I thought Adam would be a lock for the internship. I
wonder what happened.