Mei-Ling Wong.
A 21-year-old recent university graduate, fidgeted nervously in line, clutching her neatly organized papers.
Her blue blouse and dark jeans seemed out of place amidst the sea of worn jeans and faded t-shirts that adorned the other job seekers.
Mei-Ling's sleek, black hair cascaded down her back, with a few loose strands framing her heart-shaped face.
Her eyes darted anxiously between the clock on the wall and the slow-moving line.
"Ugh, how annoying," Mei-Ling muttered to herself. "So many people, and it's just for a... cat caretaker position?" She raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
"I mean, what kind of people enjoy taking care of cats all day? Don't they get bored?"
Mei-Ling had always been a driven individual, eager to start her career and make a name for herself.
She had majored in business and was no stranger to job interviews. However, this particular opportunity seemed... unusual.
The job posting had been online, and she had stumbled upon it while browsing for entry-level positions.
Something about the idea of working with cats had piqued her interest, but she wasn't entirely convinced it was the right fit.
As she inched closer to the front of the line, Mei-Ling noticed a peculiar mix of people around her.
There was a guy with a thick beard, sporting a "World's Okayest Golfer" t-shirt, and a woman with a bright pink streak in her hair, who seemed more interested in her phone than the interview process.
Mei-Ling wondered what had drawn these individuals to the interview.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was Mei-Ling's turn to enter the interview room.
She took a deep breath, smoothing out her blouse and standing up straight.
The receptionist, a friendly-looking woman with a name tag reading "Jenny," greeted her warmly.
"Hi, Mei-Ling! Welcome to Whisker World. Please, have a seat."
Mei-Ling followed Jenny to a cozy little room filled with the soothing sounds of cat music and the musty scent of cat litter.
A sign on the wall read, "Whisker World: Where Cats Reign Supreme." Mei-Ling raised an eyebrow, unsure what to make of the eccentric decor.
Jenny handed her a clipboard with a few sheets of paper. "Just fill out this form, and we'll get started with the interview. Our manager, Mr. Tanaka, will be with you shortly."
Mei-Ling nodded, taking the clipboard and beginning to fill out the form.
As she worked, she noticed a peculiar mural on the wall, depicting various breeds of cats in different settings.
There was a regal Maine Coon lounging on a velvet couch, a playful Bengal chasing a laser pointer, and a serene Sphynx meditating on a pillow.
The artwork was... unusual, to say the least.
Just as Mei-Ling finished filling out the form, a gentle voice called out from the hallway. "Ah, Mei-Ling! Welcome. Please, come in."
A bespectacled man with a kind face and a wispy mustache entered the room.
He introduced himself as Mr. Tanaka, the manager of Whisker World.
"Mei-Ling, thank you for coming in today. We're excited to learn more about your qualifications and interests. Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself?"
Mei-Ling took a deep breath, launching into a well-rehearsed speech about her passion for animals, her experience volunteering at a local animal shelter, and her enthusiasm for learning.
Mr. Tanaka listened attentively, nodding along as she spoke.
As the interview progressed, Mei-Ling found herself growing more comfortable in the unconventional setting.
Mr. Tanaka asked her questions about her favorite cat breeds, her experience with cat behavior, and her creative solutions to common cat problems.
Mei-Ling was impressed by the manager's knowledge and enthusiasm for feline care.
Just as it seemed the interview was wrapping up, Mr. Tanaka asked a question that caught Mei-Ling off guard: "Mei-Ling, if you were a cat, which breed would you be and why?"
Mei-Ling's eyes widened in surprise. She had never been asked such a question in an interview before.
However, something about the scenario struck a chord within her.
She thought back to her childhood, when she used to spend hours watching cat videos online, mesmerized by their agility and playfulness.
"I would be a British Shorthair," Mei-Ling said, a smile spreading across her face.
"They're known for their independence and aloofness, but they're also incredibly affectionate and loyal to their owners. I think I share some of those qualities – I'm a bit of a introvert, but I love building strong relationships with people and animals."
Mr. Tanaka beamed with delight. "Ah, excellent answer, Mei-Ling! I think you'd make a purr-fect fit for our team."
As the interview concluded, Mei-Ling left the Whisker World office with a newfound sense of excitement and curiosity.
-----------
After a long day filled with nerves and anticipation, Mei-Ling headed straight home. Her small apartment, number 3B, was a cozy little space on the third floor of a quiet building.
As she stepped inside, she was greeted by the familiar scent of jasmine incense lingering in the air.
The room was simply furnished — a tiny kitchenette in one corner, a small dining table, and a single bed pushed against the wall.
The walls were painted a soft pastel pink, and a few framed photos of her and her friends and family decorated the shelves.
The apartment felt warm and welcoming, but today, all she wanted was to relax.
Mei-Ling let out a deep sigh as she kicked off her shoes and plopped onto her small, plush couch, throwing her bag and the papers from her interview onto the coffee table.
The papers fluttered slightly as they landed, a scattered mess of resumes, ID copies, and the little note she'd written to herself: "Hope I get it!"
She leaned back, stretching her legs out and feeling the exhaustion settle in her bones. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment, but then she remembered—she had to call her Māmā!
Quickly, she reached for her phone on the side table, her fingers fumbling as she pressed her mother's contact. The phone rang twice before a warm, familiar voice answered.
"Hi, Mei-Ling!" her mother's voice was soft and gentle, like a cozy blanket. Mei-Ling could almost see her smile through the phone.
"Hi, Māmā!" Mei-Ling said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Guess what? I got the job!"
There was a brief pause on the line, then her mother's voice brightened even more. "Oh, really? That's wonderful! Tell me everything!"
Mei-Ling giggled, her cheeks flushing with happiness. "It's… kind of crazy, actually. The interview was so weird but fun! They asked me all these funny questions—like if I was a cat, which breed I'd be—and I think I did pretty well. The manager was super nice, and I think I'm starting tomorrow!"
"Oh wow! That's fantastic, sweetie! I knew you'd do great. What kind of job is it exactly?"
"It's a… um, a cat caretaker at a place called Whisker Wonders," Mei-Ling explained, her eyes sparkling. "It's not your normal office job, Māmā. They do all sorts of crazy stuff — playing with feathers, giving cuddles, and apparently, some creative fun with strings too. It's kind of like a big adventure for cats and maybe for me too!"
Her mother chuckled warmly. "That sounds adorable! I can just picture you with a bunch of fluffy cats all around you, giggling and playing."
"Yeah, and the best part? I start tomorrow at nine! I can't believe it. I'm kind of nervous, but mostly excited. It's so different from what I imagined, but honestly, I think I'll love it."
"I'm so proud of you, Mei-Ling," her mother said softly. "You're always finding new ways to follow your heart. Just remember to have fun and be yourself, okay?"
"I will, Māmā," Mei-Ling said, feeling a warm glow inside. "Thanks for always supporting me. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow… after I survive my first day!"
They both laughed, sharing a moment of happiness across the phone line.
"Good luck, my girl," her mother said softly. "And don't forget—be brave, be kind, and enjoy every minute."
"I will," Mei-Ling promised, her smile wide. "Love you, Māmā."
"Love you too, sweetheart. Now go get some rest—you're going to need it for tomorrow!"