When we stepped into my office, I gestured towards the chair opposite my desk, inviting James to sit down.
He lowered himself into it carefully, resting the briefcase on his lap. It was so big for him that he had to make an effort to keep it from falling onto the floor.
"So," I said, attempting to suppress a smile, "tea or coffee?" Then I paused. "Actually, unfortunately, I probably cannot offer either at the moment," I said with a faint sigh. "As you have likely noticed, I have suddenly lost my secretary, and I still need to learn how to operate the coffee machine on my own."
James blinked rapidly.
"Oh, no, no, that's absolutely fine. I don't need anything." Then, after a tiny hesitation, he added nervously, "If you'd like, I could go sort it out for you. If you want tea or coffee, I mean."
"No need," I replied calmly as I settled properly into my chair. "You do not work here yet."
He immediately straightened slightly.
"Though if you'd like some water, I can at least manage that much."
"No, no, no." He shook his head so quickly that his whiskers trembled again. "It's alright. Really. I'm fine. If I get thirsty, I'll tell you."
"Well then. Let's begin without unnecessary formalities." I said, folding my hands together on the desk. "Why did you apply for this position?"
"Well..." He rubbed his hands together nervously. "I've always wanted to work with people who actually do things. People who can really influence something, build something important, change something meaningful."
His ears twitched faintly.
"Your company is... well, you know. One of the largest companies in the city. Probably even in the country." He gave a small, embarrassed smile. "So I thought it would be amazing to work here. I'd learn a lot."
"That sounds flattering," I said with a faint smirk.
A flush spread beneath the thin layer of fur across his cheeks.
"I'm serious, sir," he rushed out. "I really do want to give this everything I've got. I'll work very hard. I know I don't have an impressive education or experience in a big company, but I learn quickly, and I'm capable, so... I'd be happy if you give me a chance."
I watched him nervously fidget with his hands.
"You know, I've never once seen a résumé from a candidate like you before." I tilted my head slightly. "Why do you think that is?"
"Well..." His whiskers twitched uneasily. "I think we don't pass the filters."
"We?"
"I mean… Hybrids like me." His voice became quieter. "I'm sure we apply for vacancies. But I think we probably don't meet the standards."
I rubbed thoughtfully at my chin.
"And what exactly do you think about those standards?" I asked. "Why do you think they are needed?"
That question unsettled him far more visibly.
He became even more nervous than before, stumbling silently for several seconds without managing to force the words out properly, as though uncertain whether he was truly allowed to say them aloud.
"I'm very sorry," he said at last. "I genuinely don't want to offend you or the people in your company. I'm sure many of them are good people, but..." He swallowed. "I think all these policies and filters and everything else exist because a lot of people believe we're not supposed to be here."
"Then tell me, James, if all these policies are designed to keep hybrids out, if you do not even pass the filtering systems, why did you submit your résumé with a photograph that immediately reveals what you are?"
The question genuinely interested me.
Why had he come here? What exactly had he been hoping for?
The whole thing seemed strangely pointless. If I hadn't looked at his résumé myself, the fact that he sent it wouldn't have done him any good at all.
"Oh." He exhaled quietly, lowering his gaze. "You probably haven't really paid attention to it, but in newspapers, online, even out on the streets, if you happen to notice… There's this guy. A hybrid, like me."
Something inside me stirred when I realised who he was talking about. It took all my effort not to let it show on my face.
"He's everywhere right now." His fingers tightened slightly around the handle of the briefcase. "I kept seeing all those articles and videos… Even though it looks like the whole world turned against him… Despite all the hate, all the aggression, all that mess..." He lifted his eyes towards me again. "He doesn't hide. After watching all that, I started thinking, why should I?"
His voice became more confident.
"Hiding never actually made my life better. It never made it much safer, either. I'm just hiding from everybody all the time." He gave a tiny shrug. "So what's the point?"
The final words came out surprisingly firm. He looked at me directly now.
"I don't want to hide anymore," he continued. "Yeah, I knew I probably wouldn't even pass the filters, but if I just sit around doing nothing, then what exactly changes?"
I sat there quietly, slowly nodding to myself.
"You know," he added before I could respond, "I come from a pretty big family. I've got loads of siblings, and I helped my parents a lot growing up." A faint smile touched his face. "You learn how to keep going no matter what. No matter how people treat you. Because people are counting on you."
He adjusted his grip on the briefcase again.
"So when I sent the résumé, I thought... why not try?" he said. "And, well... as you can see, I'm sitting here in front of you now. So I guess it wasn't such a pointless step after all."
The man sounded so sincere. I had not heard that sort of honesty from an employee in a very long time. The thought left behind a dull heaviness somewhere in my chest.
I let out a slow breath. "Thank you for your honest answer. Well then. Perhaps you have a few questions for me?"
He hesitated again for a moment before speaking carefully.
"Am I actually allowed to ask questions?"
"Of course."
"Any questions?"
"Within reason. Though I imagine the answer is yes."
"Why did you invite me here?" He said, looking straight in the eye.
That shift in him continued to surprise me. Most of the time, he stumbled over his words, fussed nervously, and looked frightened of saying the wrong thing. Then, without warning, he became remarkably bold.
"Your company has those policies. The same filters everybody else uses. Even your security guards looked shocked when I said I was here for an interview." He continued. "I spent the whole evening wondering whether you'd never seen a hybrid before and simply wanted to look at one. I mean... why me? You called me yourself."
I considered the question for a short while before answering.
"Yes. I imagine it does seem strange." I leaned back in my chair. "As you saw, I decided to replace my secretary. I need somebody capable of becoming my support, and ideally, my right hand. Somebody who answers to no one except me."
I paused briefly.
"There is nobody in my current circle capable of taking that position. And the candidates HR sent me inspired very little confidence."
His ears twitched slightly at that.
"So I decided to review every résumé myself. And yes, indeed, I had never before seen a hybrid résumé land on my desk. I had never hired anybody like you before, either." A small smile crossed my face. "I sincerely hope it brings something new into my work."
I stopped suddenly, uncertain why I was telling him any of this.
Was it wise?
Nevertheless, after a quiet breath, I continued.
"I want to change this company. In truth, I want to change everything. And I cannot do that surrounded by the people currently working beside me here."
"So I have a question for you in return, James. If I hire you, will you have the resolve to stand up to them all? To remain at my side and help me make those changes? Changes which, I hope, might finally make us more equal."
He sat blinking at me, utterly stunned.
"Um... wow. Yeah. I really wasn't expecting that answer. But yes. I'm ready. If I weren't, I wouldn't have sent my résumé in the first place. I knew what I was walking into."
"Excellent. In that case, you're hired. HR will send you all the necessary information today."
He hurriedly rose from his chair.
"Well... I should probably get going then."
"Of course."
I walked him to the door.
We said goodbye, and I went back to my office alone, feeling for some reason that I'd found the right person.