COMMITMENT

"Well, young man you want to join our organization?" he asked, simply and to the point.

"I don’t yet know sir……I really don’t know much about your organization, only what my friend told me" I replied.

"Your friend is probably a new hire himself and just getting started." He didn’t even ask me his name. "Make yourself comfortable and feel free to ask me any question that may cross your mind. That is one of my duties, to answer questions for prospective members" he said kindly and putting me at ease.

"Well first, what do you actually do?" I asked.

"You might say we are a service organization and our business is helping people" he replied. "We are always in need of people like yourself as agents, public relations, and service personnel. All kinds of positions are available."

"Do what, exactly?" I asked.

"Most people need help and we try to help them in any way we can. Our agreement and manual will explain fully." I could tell, this guy was truly sincere.

"Oh, this is a public charitable set up." I stated. "Government deal."

He kind of laughed. "It may be public and it may be charitable, but he owns it, lock stock and barrel." Directing his pencil toward the ceiling.

"Who’s he?" I asked.

"The boss" he smiled and I figured the boss had a penthouse office!

"I brought a copy of my resume" I said and proudly handed him a copy of my life history. He didn’t even read it, just kind of laid it aside and said. "Thank you, we’ll run that through our computer for job classification purposes" as he opened a drawer, pulled out a legal looking binder and handed it to me. I accepted the folder and noticed the title WORK AGREEMENT. "You mean I’ve got the job, just like that? I snapped my fingers and asked.

"Not yet, but I can say that I have never turned down an applicant that ever walked through that door. We have work for all. I will admit I have been very disgusted with some that wanted a job but refused to sign the agreement or wanted to use their own form of agreement or claimed they were self insured. After a time I just refuse to see them again." He said and then continued.

"I want you to read the agreement carefully. There is no fine print and you will notice there is no expiration date. It can be canceled but it is guaranteed renewable, at your option, of course. We are reliable and live up to the conditions and contents of our agreements to the letter; we’ve never broken a promise, never" he paused.

I thought "Great day, they must really be efficient!"

He continued. "Pay particular attention to our group insurance plan. It is in a separate section of the manual, at the rear. It is an integral part of our basic agreement and carries the same stipulations, so to speak. No expiration date, effective immediately, guaranteed renewable options and so forth. I’m quite fond of our insurance program, especially the liberal benefits. One reason being is that I had to go out in the field many years ago and explain it to everyone. That’s when we first put it into effect."

I lifted the cover of the binder and read the simplest, most direct and fairest agreement I had ever seen. There was no doubt in my mind. This is what I wanted. I fumbled for my pen. He handed me his own personal pen and said. "Before you sign, be sure."

"I’m sure" I replied and affixed my signature. He placed his seal on the document, folding his hands, anticipating my further questions.

"No vacations?" I asked. "No vacations" He replied. "It’s all in the agreement!"

"On call twenty-four hours a day, now that is rough" I commented.

"Not really, we’ve never overtaxed anyone that I know of" was his simple reply.

"The pay" I started to complain.

He smiled. "But you can’t beat these benefits" tapping the agreement we had just signed.

"When do I get to meet the boss?" I asked anxiously.

"Only when the job is complete, only then." He replied with an air of finality.

"How about the third member of the firm?" I asked.

"Oh, you mean our field representative. He’ll be contacting you later. He is real busy, especially at this time, a problem in the field with the proper interpretation of the manual. He will get hold of you shortly and will be giving you specific instructions from time to time. Meanwhile busy yourself with reading and studying the manual. So, be patient" handing me a package wrapped in plain white paper. "Our field rep will discuss the department in which you will be best suited, travel, territory and such. Thank you for coming in and please be patient and remember the learning process never ceases" shaking my hand and adding "You can always get in touch with me through our field representative."

I turned and walked outside and looked at my watch. Now that was the shortest interview I ever had, that is to get the job……..and they will hire anyone! Now why in the world did I take this job? I really don’t know where I am going and I really don’t know what I am going to do. Am I crazy? Boy, this guy really conned me, that is for sure!

While thinking I had opened the package. I looked down and was holding a copy of the Holy Bible!

I turned around, reaching for the doorknob to reenter. There was no door! There was no building! I was staring at a vacant lot!

The gentle sweet notes of a familiar song came drifting from somewhere across the street.

"Why me Lord……….."

Struck with awe and wonder and while still clutching the Bible I turned and walked slowly away. Then, with a warm feeling deep down inside my being I seemed to hear a whisper "The commitment you made was real!"