"Is this a joke? Are you filming this?" Katy asked in an awkward fashion as she looked around her.
"You think it's a joke?" Tracy asked in an amused fashion about her reaction.
"Why would it not be? I came here expecting to be an actor, and now all of a sudden, I'm being asked whether I want to join the Intelligence Agency or not? Does it even make sense?" Katy voiced out her doubts.
"Mhmm," Tracy hummed for a second and continued, "Let me ask you a question instead. If not for something this important, why would we bother holding such a harsh entrance test?"
"For publicity, of course!" Katy replied confidently. However, when she noticed the amused expression still plastered on Tracy's face, her confidence started to wane.
"Publicity, huh? Well, you're not completely wrong. However, if publicity was the only goal, then wouldn't we have spent more money on posters, banners and television advertisements to attract attention? It would be a much simpler way of gaining attention.
These tests are there to filter out candidates into three categories. Sub-par actors, Promising Actors and lastly, actors like you who are not only promising but also suitable as an intelligence operative," Tracy smirked as she finished her words.
"I'm suitable? Who told you that?" Katy asked. While in this life her choices have been a little different, but as far as Gior's exam was concerned, she mostly did what she had done in her former life.
"Your Psych evaluation did, of course," Tracy said in an obvious manner and continued, "If one reaches a certain threshold in their psych evaluation, then I take their confirmatory interviews to evaluate their suitability as an intelligence operative.
In my interview, you not only met those requirements but exceeded them. That's why you've been selected for this task and not others."
'The Psych test? Was it so important?' Katy's eyes raised a little as she just wrote what came to her mind in that time frame, 'Were my responses different this time because of my previous life's experience?'
Katy thought to herself, as it finally made sense why her interview went differently than normal.
"Now that I've answered your questions, it's time for you to answer mine. Would you like to become a part of NIA or not?" Tracy once again asked.
"What if I refuse?" Katy couldn't help but ask.
As if expecting such a question, Tracy answered the very next moment, "Nothing much, you'll continue to be one of our actors like the rest, but you'll be under surveillance for a while by our people to ensure that you are not violating the terms of the NDA which you signed earlier."
Katy slightly nodded her head and asked the next question in her mind, "What will happen if I do agree?"
"Instead of the Special Training Program and you would have to undergo a different program designed by the experts at the National Intelligence Agency for the next six months in a secret location.
After six months, you'll debut along with the other actors of Gior. The agency will obviously promote you comparatively more than other actors to ensure a quicker rise to the limelight. Once that is done, you'll start getting certain tasks from us that you will need to perform.
However, you don't need to feel too bad about it, as we'll take care of any difficulties or impediments you'll face in your acting career. So, when you take that into account, isn't agreeing to join us a win for you? What do you say?
Tracy said while folding her legs as she confidently gazed towards Katy.
The little resistance that Katy had went away when she heard those words. She knew how dark and nasty the entertainment industry could be.
Having an organisation like the National Intelligence Agency behind her back would ensure that she would be able to handle those things without any issue.
As for the extra dangers this decision would entail, what of it?
'I've already died once,' Katy thought to herself and soon made her decision.
"I'll join," she said with determined eyes, knowing that there was no going back from this now.
"Good. The details of your program will be sent to you at your email address. You may leave now," Tracy told Katy the next moment.
"Got it," Katy soon left the meeting room.
Meanwhile, Tracy rang up an unsaved number and told, "Start the background verification of Katy Perkinson,"
"Yes, ma'am," a militaristic response came from the other side, and the call was over.
…..
Inside a nearby café.
"Just what did she discuss with you inside for so long??" Samantha asked while sipping on a creamy coffee, which was a treat from Katy.
"She talked about nominating me to a different acting program as she found me promising…" Katy told her friend with a guilty conscience.
"That's great! When is it starting? How many other actors are there?" Samantha asked with clear joy in her voice.
Averting her gaze a little, Katy said, "I don't know. She mostly talked about my exam performance in there and at the end told me that this program would be six months long as well, and an email would be sent to me about it in a few days."
"That's so cool, wish I was also selected along with you, but anyways, I'm just glad that we are in the same agency now. Isn't it great?" Samantha asked cheerily.
"Yes, me too," Katy replied honestly and continued, "Let's head back now, though. It's already four in the evening, and it will take an hour and a half for us to return home."
Hearing this, Samantha immediately downed her cup of coffee like it was a soft drink and wiped her lips clean.
"Alright," she said enthusiastically.
Seeing this, Katy giggled out in amusement as she too downed her cup in a similar manner and the two left for the metro station.
By 7:05 PM, Katy reached her place and entered her apartment.
"Mom! I'm back," She said to her in the kitchen and hugged her from behind.
"You seem to be in a good mood. Should I presume that you got selected?" Her mother asked with a hint of expectation in her eyes.
"Of course, whose daughter do you think I am?" Katy answered pridefully with a snort.
"I'm proud of you," her mother smiled brightly and pulled her nose, "Go and wash up quickly, I'll marinate the chicken until then."
"Alright, I'll be back in a jiffy," Katy went away in a good mood while rubbing her nose. Her mom's way of loving was sometimes a little painful.