The interviews were supposed to be over by midnight. Most had gone home. The room was quiet—until Pedro heard a voice.
He wasn’t supposed to stay. He wasn’t even supposed to be there. But just outside the room, he stopped.
“I... I am hardworking. That is... that is all that I have.”
The applicant’s voice was hesitant. Their English was rough around the edges. Yet the agents didn’t mock them—they just watched, patient. When the interview was about to end, the applicant asked one more thing.
“I don't know if me... get the job. But please, may I get these crackers before leave? My siblings... hungry.”
His agents looked at each other before they smiled with understanding and told the applicant to go to the pantry instead and tell the staff their names.
He turned his face away when the applicant left, didn’t want to be seen. Only stepped in after the door shut behind them.
"I have to pay for your overtime, guys, huh?" Pedro humoured. "What’s the... what's the name of the last applicant?” He asked, calm but firm.