Page 20 of Changed Plan

“Oh, yeah. I did say that, didn’t I?”

A notification buzzes my phone, and I grab it immediately, hoping it’s the airline with news of a rescheduled flight. It’s not that, but it is good news.

“I have an interview! In two hours.”

His raised eyebrows over the menu convey his confusion. “You plan to teleport?”

“Basically. It’s a video call interview.”

“Right. Nobody does anything face-to-face anymore. They didn’t bother to give you much warning. Keep in mind that may be how they treat their employees, too.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the good luck wishes.”

“Sorry.” He lays the menu on the table. “I’m a little hangry. And tired, but I do wish you all the best for your interview. You’re welcome to use my hotel room for the call. You can shower if you want. I’ll stay gone until your interview is over. It’s all yours if you want it.”

“I might take you up on that, given the circumstances.”

“It would make a better interview environment than . . .” He gestures at the terminal outside the restaurant. “You’re welcome to it.”

“Thanks. Yeah, I’d like to use it, if you really don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all. I’m impressed you got an interview so quickly after applying.”

“So am I. It’s sort of my dream job. I wasn’t even keeping an eye on the market, so if I hadn’t been fired, I never would’ve known it was available.”

“That’s amazing. I’m happy for you.” His tone is flat.

“Are you okay? You seem kind of down this morning.”

He plasters on the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. “Yeah, I’m good. I get like this when I need to eat.”

I know he’s lying, but I don’t press for more. It’s none of my business.

An omelet, bacon, two biscuits, and three cups of coffee do improve his mood. Maybe he really did just need to eat.

He comes into the store with me to buy moisturizer. I purchase a travel kit with the whole line of products I use, and his eyes bulge when the cashier speaks the total out loud. We’re not even completely out of the store before he says, “Did you expect to pay that much for those little bitty bottles?”

“Yes. That’s just what it costs.”

“I’m in the wrong business.”

“Really? I’d think jewel thief would be incredibly lucrative.” I notice the bounce in my step, and tell myself to calm down. It’s just an interview. “What business are you actually in?”

“I’m an actuary.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Was statistics your favorite class?”

“God, no. Whose favorite class was statistics?”

“Actuaries.”

“Oh. So, it’s a numbers thing.”

“Very much so.”

“Cool. I’m in PR, so I work with numbers, too, but more of the rising and falling publicity mentions variety. And sales numbers to a degree.”

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