“ The Silver Cloud Foundation?”

I’ve heard of a place or company called that when I first started looking for a job. Maybe its a new company or a place I scanned over because I didn’t meet their requirements. 

“Yeah, long story short, their a new company that has been around the last couple of years and they mainly support or help manage other places. I know that sounds really vague, but if I give you the long version we’ll be here all day.”

I nodded.

I don’t care much about the history or what their main purpose is as a company. The only thing I want to know is how do I get hired, what do I need to do and how much does it pay. At this point, I’m willing to shake my ass at a strip club for some extra cash. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

“So, its actually really hard to get hired at this place, but don’t worry. All your girl has to do is put a good word in to my boss and your chances will skyrocket.”

Every word she spoke made my hope grow, even though, it was a long shot. 

“Shouldn’t I go put in an application or something first? How much do they even pay you, anyway?”

Claire waved a dismissive hand.

“Oh, all that application and paperwork stuff will come later, don’t worry. This company is a little backwards and weird, but trust me you’ll do fine once you get the hang of it.”

I’ll take her word for it.

“So, you still didn’t answer me on how much they will pay me. You said it’ll be more than what I make at the factory, right?”

“Oh yes, definitely! But, well…”

Why did she stop talking? Is something wrong?

“Well, what?”

Claire looked at me for a moment in deep thought.

“Well, I can’t promise that you’ll make the same amount as me, but I will promise that your going to be paid much more than what you make now.”

Oh, is that all? And here I was thinking that she was about to call her whole plan off.

“That’s fine. But, now I’m curious, how much do you make since you started working for them and how long have you been doing this?”

Claire didn’t say anything at first and grinned widely. I could tell she wanted to fill this moment with suspense, but I couldn’t stand it any longer.

I playfully hit her on the shoulder.

“Come on, stop holding out and tell me!”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. So, because of company policy I can’t really give you in depth details about my job, but I’ve been doing this for the last couple of months. Girl, my last paycheck was about five thousand dollars and they only pay you once a month.”

My jaw dropped.

Five thousand dollars per paycheck and that’s monthly?! That’s fucking insane; their is no way that this place is legit. I wouldn’t put it past it if this place was actually a front, so they can do their dirty dealings in private.

I gave Claire a once over.

She didn’t look scared, angry or have any visible scars, markings or bruises showing that she’s being abused or threatened in any way. Then again, she could be hiding it very well. 

I shook my head.

Come on, this is Claire that we’re talking about here! Sweet, bright Claire that I’ve known since elementary school. I would know if something was wrong with her or if she’s lying. Claire as always been a terrible liar and she doesn’t look like she’s lying about this at all.

“T-That’s insane! What could you possibly be doing to be getting paid that much? Do you actually get a high position in the company or something? Was the five thousand some kind of bonus?”

Claire laughed at my questions and shook her head.

“Of course not, if I was higher in the chain they would probably look at that five thousand like it was pocket change. Like I said before I can’t go in depth, but to sum up my job in a nut shell, I’m a walking billboard.”

“Huh?”

“What I mean is I go around and advertise that my company is looking for people for hire.”

I couldn’t wrap my head around what she was telling me. I placed my hands on my head while trying to process her words.

“So, let me get this straight, you get paid to go around and talk to people?!”

Claire nodded.

“Uh huh.”

“And that’s all you have to do? No extra tasks whatsoever? No cleaning, no mopping, no ass kissing, no paperwork; nothing at all?”

She nodded again.

“Uh huh.”

“And you get paid five thousand dollars a month just for that?”

Claire clapped her hands together in agreement.

“That’s right, you got it!”

She said this so brightly and confidently that it made me wonder if she already knew how insane this was and didn’t know it or knows it and chooses to ignore it. Nevertheless, I don’t have many options at the moment and their is no guarantee that’ll be hired that this ‘Silver Cloud’ place anyway. So their is no point worrying about it for now.

I sighed in defeat.

“Okay, if they give me a chance then I’ll give it a shot.”

Claire squealed in delight and gave me another hug.

“Don’t worry, Lonnie. You’ll get in, I know it.”

After that we started talking about other things, like school, teachers, our favorite shows, cracking jokes to each other and so on. If anyone passed by and looked at us at that moment, you would have seen two teenage girls being silly in the middle of a park with no problems with the world whatsoever.

Its too bad all good things must end.

It was starting to get dark and as we parted ways, Claire said that she would contact her boss as soon as possible. If it goes well then they’ll be sending me an email very soon. Still had my doubts that they will contact me, but if Claire was able to get in, why can’t I?

I was pretty much a block from my house when I felt my phone go off. I looked to see that Claire had texted me. In the message, it said that the talk with her boss went well and that I should be receiving something from her company soon.

As if on cue, I get another notification saying its an email from the notorious, Silver Cloud Foundation.

I wonder what it says, I’m kind of nervous. Will I even be qualified to get this job?

No! No negative thoughts, I haven’t even read it yet and I’m already thinking that this is mission impossible. 

I opened the email and it was a welcoming letter thanking me for my interest in working for them. The letter had an application and a questionnaire attached to it. Basically, I’m supposed to fill both out, but the questionnaire was the most important out of the two it seems because it determines what job I’m qualified for and which would best suit me.

I didn’t want to waste any time, so I hurried home. Locked my bedroom door and hopped into bed; giving both documents my full attention.

The application had the same copy and paste questions that every place that you apply for has; that was a breeze. The questionnaire, on the other hand, was another story entirely.

What kind of questions are these? 

Do I believe in ghosts, werewolves, vampires or any other supernatural beings? Have I ever worked in an hospital or asylum? Have I ever been in a cult or considered being in one? Have I ever been hypnotized and if so for how long?

The list of weird questions just keeps going. Why ask people these weird questions? Maybe its a way to keep the crazy people away? Claire did say that these people are a little weird and backwards, so this might be their way off keeping the creeps away.

I completed both and sent it back to them. In which , I got an email back saying that they’ll get back with me with the results.

I was a bundle of nerves that I felt like I couldn’t go to sleep that night. I kept staring at my phone screen willing it show another email from that company, even though, it doesn’t make any sense for them to contact me this very second.

I didn’t realize that I had fallen asleep while still holding my phone until I heard birds chirping and the blinding light of the rising sun started to beam through the curtains.

It was a brand new day.