Bob: I have to admit, you are a very promising candidate for the internship. I’m especially impressed by your analytical skills. The final section of the interview is to assess how you fit with Morgan Stanley.
Ingrid: If I may, of the companies I’ve researched, I find that the Morgan Stanley philosophy most closely aligns with my personal philosophy. I don’t anticipate “fit” being a problem, I can’t see anywhere I am better suited.
Bob: It’s good to hear you are so confident, but I’m sure you understand we have our procedure.
Ingrid: Certainly.
Bob: So, if you were a drop of rain, one single drop, where would you land and why?
Ingrid: Hmmm… Well, I suppose a drop of rain would be needed in the desert, but I would simply evaporate and wouldn’t do much good. Another option would be in the rainforest, but then I wouldn’t stand out, would I? I suppose it would have to be into a large, still body of water. Then my single drop would create a ripple effect and my landing there, I would effect every other drop of water. Yes, into a large, still body of water, where my single drop would be the first
Pause.
Ingrid: Did you feel that?
Bob: Yes I did, but don’t worry, I’m sure it wasn’t anything. Thank you for you answer. Now, how do you think you handle yourself in a stressful situation?
Ingrid: I think I handle stressful situations well. Over the last three years, I have always taken on more than the average student can handle. As you have noted on my resume, in addition to always attending, and excelling, in a full course load, I have been an RA, been active in the Business Club as a member and an officer, and continued to play lacrosse as a club sport.
Pause.
Ingrid: Um, that was weird, I could swear something just went by the window. Something fell.
Bob: Probably just a pigeon, I don’t know how they get this high, but they do sometimes.
Ingrid: Anyway, I’ve dealt with emergencies as an RA ranging from fires to suicide attempts, I organized a regional tournament for women’s lacross clubs, and always kept my grades very high.
Bob: Yes, I can see that on your transcripts. Well, Ingrid, let me tell you about our timeline for deciding the internship. Tomorrow is our last day of…
Loudspeaker: ATTENTION. ATTENTION. PLEASE WALK TO THE NEAREST STAIRWELL AND EVACUATE TO FLOOR 72. ATTENTION. ATTENTION. PLEASE WALK TO THE NEAREST STAIRWELL AND EVACUATE TO FLOOR 72.
Bob: that’s weird, I don’t remember seeing an email about a fire drill today. Just try to ignore that. Anyway, tomorrow we interview our last round of candidates. On Thursday and Friday the committee will meet.
Phone rings and a voice says: EVERYONE, THIS IS MARY. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. PLEASE GO TO THE STAIRWELL AND PROCEED TO THE 72ND FLOOR. LEAVE YOUR LAPTOPS HERE, TAKE OFF YOUR HIGH HEELS AND PLEASE, HEAD CALMLY TO THE STAIRWELL. AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A DRILL, PLEASE GO TO THE NEAREST STAIRWELL AND PROCEED TO THE 72ND FLOOR. GOD BLESS.
Ingrid: Sounds serious, shall we talk on the way down.
Bob: Seems like a plan, have you got your purse and coat?
Ingrid: Yes.
As Ingrid and Bob head to the stairwell, Ingrid pulls out her cell phone and notices she has missed five calls during the interview.
Ingrid: That’s weird, mind if I check my voicemail, something must have happened.
Bob: Not a problem.
VOICEMAILS
CHATTER OF OTHERS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ingrid, it’s Joanne, turn on the news.
QUICKLY, QUIETLY, HANDS FREE. QUICKLY QUIETLY HANDS FREE.
Remember the last time we had to do this? They made us walk all the way back up eight flights of stairs.
Bob, honey, it’s me. Are you okay? Call me soon.
Do you know what happened? Does anyone know what is going on?
ATTENTION. ATTENTION. PLEASE HEAD TO THE NEAREST STAIRWELL AND PROCEED TO THE 72ND FLOOR.
Ingrid, it’s Dad. Call me as soon as you get this message I want to make sure your…. Fuck. A plane just hit the other one.
My husband just called, he said a plane hit our building.
Bob! You better call me back as soon as you can. Are you safe? I love you.
It is so dark in this stairwell, can’t they get better lighting.
QUICKLY QUIETLY HANDS FREE QUICKLY QUIETLY HANDS FREE.
It’s your mother, Honey, where are you? Call me.
Another plane hit the pentagon, what is going on?
ATTENTION. ATTENTION. PLEASE CONTINUE TO THE 50TH FLOOR.
Ingrid. You aren’t at the interview already are you? Don’t go. Don’t go. I hope you overslept again.
Was it an accident? How do planes hit the world trade center.
QUICKLY QUIETLY HANDS FREE. QUICKLY QUIETLY HANDS FREE.
Ingrid: Hey mom, look, I’m safe. I’m on the 50th floor. We’ll wait here while they put out the fire.
Bob: Honey, you okay? I’m fine. They’ve got us down on the 50th floor, we’ll be safe.
Ingrid: I’ll call you later, I’m at an interview.
Bob: I love you, okay, but I need to finish this interview.
Ingrid: I love you too, call Dad and tell him I’m okay. No, really Mom, I’ll be fine.
Bob: Okay, tell Bobby that Daddy’s safe and I’ll see you at dinner.