Personnel  part 4
by boomer 


Another story about my job in the personnel department of a
major department store.  My 3:00 appointment was with a
cashier candidate named Brianna.  When she first walked
in I was concerned.  She was about 5'5" tall and 120 pounds.
The problem was she looked strung out, as if on drugs.

I interviewed her without enthusiasm and eventually told
her all applicants had to take a drug test and would this
be a problem for her.  She surprised me by saying no.
Perhaps seeing the surprise in my face she apoligized
for her worn out look and told me she was having problems
with her boyfriend and wasn't sleeping much lately.

Pursuing the interview with renewed vigor I was able to
find out she had been a gynmnast in high school but no
longer had time for working out since she was both going
to school and working at the same time.  I asked if she
missed it and she said yes, but was still in pretty good
shape.  This was of course the opening I was always 
looking for.  How could you still be in shape if you no
longer worked out, I asked innocently.  She told me
she had lost some muscle size but not all of her
former strength.  Oh really, I said.  If you don't believe
me, take a look she said.  Brianna removed her sweater
revealing a t-shirt underneath.  She rolled up the sleeve
and flexed.  Her arm swelled into a ball of muscle.

I felt it and the muscle was rock hard.  She could see
the amazement on my face and said I should have 
seen it when she was in shape.  You consider this
out of shape I asked.  Most definitely she said, her
boyfriend was even winning the occasional arm
wrestling match now.  Bingo!

Are you any good I asked.  She said she used to
be very good but could still hold her own.  Wanna
try me, she asked.  I thought to myself, does a
junkie need a fix, and alcoholic need a drink.
Since she offered, how could I refuse.  Sure I said.
We grasped hands and I immediately felt the strength
of her grip.  She squeezed my hand and I squeezed
back.  Not bad she said in a taunting manner.

We started out slowly and gradually increased the
pressure.  Neither one of us gained an advantage
as we reached full throttle.  Her bicep was blown up
in all its glory.  Again she told me not bad, again in
a taunting manner.  I was going all out now and making
no progress.  I decided to go for it and was able to
move her arm slightly.  She seemed upset as she
said "I told you I was out of shape."

Brianna grunted and moved our arms back to the
start position.  To think that a short time ago I
thought she was strung out on drugs.  If she
was taking drugs it was some kind of steroid
to build strength.  Now she moved my arm to
a losing position.  Her bicep was exploding as
she gained the advantage.  I was fighting hard and
managed to stop her.  This is embarassing, she
said, I'm going to HAVE to start working out again.
She was actually ashamed that she hadn't beat
me already.  

Enough of this she said and started me moving again.
This time she was not to be denied.  Her bicep seemed
to grow right in front of my eyes as i appeared to lose
any chance of winning.  Suddenly the downward
movement stopped.  Maybe I was getting a second
wind.  Brianna asked me if beating me would hurt
her chances of getting the job.  Of course not I
said.  Okay then, she said and smiled.  She slammed
my arm to the table.  Not bad she said to me for the
third time.  Are you sure you're out of shape I asked.
Only for the time being she replied.  

She flexed her arm again and it seemed like it had
grown.  She pumped it a few times and said it was
feeling better already.  I felt it again and it almost hurt
it was so hard.  She asked I wanted to try again
after she had time to get back into shape.  Sure
I said.  She then told me that her legs were even
stronger than her arms and if I thought she was 
good at armwrestling, I should try wrestling with
her sometime.  

I told her she should report for work on Monday.