"Sorry Sir, but we cannot employ you. Your lack of a school certificate is unacceptable."
Those words were still ringing in my ears. I must have heard them at least a dozen times, if not many more. In my godforsaken apartment, I rubbed my head. What will I do? Where will this end? I have no income. No financial security. I'm 22 and I don't have a job. Sucks to be me... I decided to take a walk on the outside pavements. It was hopeless. No one was hiring. Then I saw it- my last single hope. GSS, an exclusive IT company, was looking for cleaners. With a huge smile on my face, I ran inside. Full of hope. I met the young receptionist in front, a sweet Mrs. Jones.
"I want to apply for the cleaning job spot." I told her.
"Sorry Sir but.."
I wasn't going to take it.
"No. Please. This is my last hope. I don't have anywhere else to work. Every over place it the city has rejected me. Please."
I could see she felt sorry for me. Bingo.
"Okay Sir, uhm, I think we could make an arrangement. Let me just phone the manager."
Excitement took over me. I was lost in a long trance while she told the manager my life story and then nodded and put the phone down.
"You start tomorrow 9AM. Please note that the pay will not be a lot."
"No it's fine. Anything will do. Thank you very very much." And I walked out with a huge smile on my face.
9AM and I was there. A friendly girl named Sarah showed me around, gave me my mop and bucket and off I was. It wasn't exactly heaven, but better than starvation. Later on I discovered that the job was actually great. The people were great. Everything was cool. I actually looked forward to going to work every day. My manager, Mr. Edwards, was also a friendly guy. He has even given me a raise for 'my hard work'. But I must admit to myself, I am working unusually hard- maybe because I know I will be lost without it.
**********
A few months later I was still working there. On this one summer's day Mr. Edwards called me into his office for a 'serious talk'. Shocked and afraid I walked into the office.
"So Eric, are you still enjoying it here?"
"Yes Sir, absolutely."
"Fine. And you will have nowhere else to go?"
"No sir. No one would accept my applications because of my lack of a school certificate."
"Oh I see."
"Yes, uhm, is there any reason you called me in Sir?"
"Yes, I wanted to inform you that from now on you will be my personal sex slave."
I almost choked..on nothing.. "What?"
"Yes, or else I would fire you. Whenever I call, most likely through Mrs. Jones, you'll come into my office, strip naked and please me sexually."
"B..b...b.but.."
"No buts. I know you're straight. I don't care. You can go now. Oh yes, and if you name this to a single person you will be maimed for life..and fired."
Shocked, I just stood there. Thinking he made a joke. But his face told me he was dead serious. I ran out.
**********
The next day Mrs. Jones came to me.