The Underdog's Triumph

Chapter One

“I’m definitely going to get it right one day!”

Henry gives himself the pep talk that has become an important part of every morning in his life. It is silly, He knows. But He just can’t help it. He is all by himself, lonely and frustrated.

He was so naïve to think life after school would be soft on him. Had it been he knew better, he would’ve compromised all the effort and attention he put into his academics. Because seriously, there’s no point to it. He is done with school, yet he is still living in shambles.

“Are you ready for ABI Conglomerate?” He shout out jokingly to his best friend who is already in the living room, waiting impatiently for him.

“Yeah, you're funny!” David replies to him with a sarcastic toothy grin that makes him smile.

“Come on, stop being grumpy. It’s just a job interview. I’ve gone to thousands of it for me to know that it is nothing to feel anxious about.”

He says nonchalantly, trying so hard not to sound pathetic. But David being David, will always notice.

“Henry… You know that trying to be better every time doesn’t make you less perfect, right?”

David says to him with sympathy written all over his face, making him want to bawl his eyes out at that moment, but Henry holds the tears in with everything in him. He hates this. He hates his situation. But most of all, He hates getting sympathetic looks from people.

“Whatever, man. Let’s not go there this morning.” He dismisses.

“A few minutes won't hurt.”

“What do you want me to say, David?”

"I don't know. Anything that will make you ease up your mind. I know you, Henry. I know that when you pent up the frustration, it explodes at your least favorable time. So please, just let them out."

David says with a calm tone that almost makes Henry vulnerable, but he knows that will do him no good. Crying to him about his predicament will not solve his problem.

"Forget it, man. I need to go now. I don't want to be late for this interview. As you said, it may actually work out this time after about a thousand times of trying and failing."

He replies to him with a fake smile as he pick up his worn-out leather bag. It is very early in the morning as he open the door and step out of the house in his only neat corporate dress. But before he can close the door, David also comes out of the house with his bright smile that reassured him again, telling him “I’ve got this!”

**************

A few minutes later, Henry is seated in front of a stern-faced man who looks at him like he hates his guts already. He has this grumpy expression on his face as he looks him up and down condescendingly, causing the boldness and confidence he had summoned up earlier with David before entering crumble in seconds.

“Do you know the position you are applying for?” The man finally speaks up.

“Yes, sir. I’m applying for the position of the Sales Manager.” He tries not to let his fears show through his voice.

“Sales Manager? You’ve got to be kidding me.” The interviewer laughs mockingly before he clears his throat and continues.

“And you think you are qualified for that position because you are wearing some fake designer suit? Seriously?”

“What do you mean?” Henry asks with confusion evident on his face.

"Trying to impress me with your dress will not cover up for the fact that you are lacking. You don't strike me as a good Sales Manager. What you do strike me as, and I'm willing to give the vacant position to you, is a gateman. That fits you better than you ruining the company's future with your incompetence."

The man says nonchalantly as he snatches Henry’s documents from his hand and goes through them grumpily before dumping them on the table before him again. While all Henry can do is just look at him unbelievably as he tries to process every word that comes out of his mouth.

“You can leave now. If you’re interested in the only position we can offer you, resume work tomorrow. Now, get out!”

He is being shooed out of the interviewing room while still in shock. Is this how all conglomerates are? He has been to other interviews and he has never been embarrassed this much by any other. Why is he treating him like He is some disease?

He walks aimlessly out of the building, still lost in confusion and self-pity, until a very familiar hand grabs his forearm to stop him.

“Are you okay? Did you get the job?” David asks.

"Oh yes, I did. Who could have imagined? I got the job I never thought I would be qualified for." He replies sarcastically while still trying so hard not to let any tears slide down his face.

"That is supposed to be good news, right? Why don't you look like you are happy?"

“That’s because the only job I am qualified for is not inside that building, it is right here, outside. I got the gateman job.”

“What?”

The unbelievable expression on David's face at that moment was the same as Henry had when he heard this. He is sure still have it on his face.

“From a Sales Manager to a Gateman? That’s absurd!” David says again.

“You don’t say.”

“So what are you going to do?”

"That's a million-dollar question." He sighs as he think about his situation.

This is the first real job he has been offered ever since he graduated. Every other job he had been doing for the past two years was menial jobs with little pay. He has been leeching off David so much that he feel so ashamed of himself. As much as the job He is being offered isn't the one he was expecting, he can't just turn it down. At least, he will be getting paid monthly. He needs the money.

As he get lost in his thoughts, David just looks at him patiently as he awaits his answer. He knows that nothing he says at that moment will make him feel better, and Henry really appreciate the fact that he understands that.

"I guess I will take it. I have no choice." Henry finally reply to his friend’s question.

“I am glad you are seeing the positivity in this, man. And who knows? Maybe there is a kind of promotion for you if you do the job well.”

David says, trying to make him feel better, while Henry just smiles at his comment.

“Yeah, right!”

They joked as they left ABI Conglomerate’s premises. David cracks some jokes to cheer Henry up and make him forget his situation, but sooner rather than later, the realization of his situation creeps into his mind.

I wanted a job so badly. I have finally gotten one. The most exasperating of them all. I am officially a Gateman, now. Isn’t that just amazing?