mallory (mcunningham) wrote in horror_story, @ 2013-06-23 00:18:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, cycle003, flashback, incomplete, mallory, sebastian |
WHO: Mallory Cunningham & Dr. Handsel
WHEN: FLASHBACK TIME. December 3, 2013
WHERE: Dr. Handsel's office
WHAT: Mallory's interview for his assistant position.
WARNING: Mallory being a nerd?
Mallory was stubborn. Also, poor. Both were problems, but the first had been exacerbating the second for some time now. His cost of tuition, thankfully, had been covered by the university with a tuition waiver. As it turns out, however, human beings cannot subsist on knowledge alone. His bank account balance looked sadder and sadder each month, despite his efforts to cut costs, and his existence was as meager as perpetually sick college student's could be. Without a doubt, his oldest brother, Benjamin, would have happily given him extra money to help cover his living expenses. Trouble being that it could only happen if Mal asked for the help. In Mallory's mind, his youngest brother needed that, deserved every advantage the money could confer. Not to mention, this was simply something he had to do on his own; his degree couldn't depend on the kindness (and pocketbook) of his family. Those days were over.
Luckily, he was not above exploiting his connections to find an answer to his money woes. Anything involving physical exertion really wasn't an option, so his friends' favorite idea, waiting tables, was out of the question. His dissertation advisor had been more than happy to offer advice when he broached the subject in their bi-weekly meeting. Her much more realistic suggestion piqued Mal's interest. Dr. Howard had heard, through the academic grapevine, that there was an assistant position available and thought it would be perfectly suited to her student's meticulous nature. More than that, it could earn him both money and academic credits.
Obviously Mallory grabbed the opportunity as soon as it presented itself, tailoring his CV for the job. He was, first and foremost, a student of history, but with a background across a broad range of subjects. His years as a undergraduate saw him exploring many avenues of learning, more than the general education requirements had mandated. In the end, he double-majored in history and cultural studies, with a minor in psychology, a strange combination to be sure, but the unexpected areas of overlap fascinated him. History won out when he went on to pursue an advanced degree.
As he prepared for the interview, he immediately felt under-qualified, like his knowledge gap was too great to bridge. Yes, it had occurred to him that psychological and psychiatric expertise weren't required to be an assistant, what might amount to drudge work. The thought still nagged at him and unsettled him, leaving him agitated, so he took the next logical step: an obsessive quest to brush up on his psychology reading. Most might opt for a cursory review, skimming old textbooks and reading wikipedia articles online, but once Mallory immersed himself in a topic, he was essentially lost to the world, devouring all manner of scholarly journals and books. Easily fascinated and obsessive to a fault, Mallory was wholly predictable in this matter. Still, he wondered, would it be enough?
It would have to be.
The young graduate student was dealing with a strange mix of confidence and nerves, neither one winning out completely. His excitement at the prospect of a new job prompted his stomach to perform a series of acrobatic maneuvers as he paced, back and forth, fingers drumming an off-kilter beat on his chest with his thumbs hooked under the strap of his messenger bag.
His preparations had begun as soon as he awoke this morning. Louis lingered around his apartment, hovering like he expected Mal to absolutely destroy something, which in his mind wasn't out of the question. Every few minutes saw him fussing over Mallory's hair or straightening his tie or just generally grooming his twin. Louis' impeccable taste was a blessing even if Mal grumbled about it here and there, because he emerged from his home looking respectable and very nearly stylish.
Now that the interview was upon him, his hands were busily undoing most of Louis's careful hair-styling, combing through his hair as though by their own volition. It was fortunate for him that his hair actually took well to the slightly tousled, almost-but-not-quite unkempt look, because that's precisely what he was achieving at the moment. Brushing any wrinkles from his suit jacket and shifting his messenger bag so it rested on one shoulder rather than across his chest, he quieted his nerves with a quick mental reassurance that he would do perfectly fine.
And even if he didn't, what was the worst that could happen? He'd have to interview for other jobs. Not a big deal. With that simple thought, the pressure was lessened and his calm confident demeanor pushed to the forefront as he knocked firmly at Dr. Handsel's office door, exactly five minutes before his interview was due to start.