leadmankind (leadmankind) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-11-26 21:49:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, john connor, percy jackson |
Who: Percy and John
When: 26th November
Where: Campus
What: Chance encounter leading to a job offer
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete
John had just finished installing an upgraded security program onto the campus computers and was making his way across the campus to his bike. His reputation was growing and he was getting more and more referrals, it had been a good idea to give it a go it seemed.
He was texting a job to one of his contractors when he almost tripped over a bag on the floor, his arm shot out and he grabbed an arm to keep him upright. “Sorry about that” he said to the person he’d grabbed, “Teach me to not text and walk at the same time”
While Percy was enjoying his classes a little more now that it was further into the semester, which was actually almost over, he was still looking forward to next semester when he’d be able to start taking classes that actually had to do with his major. Until then, he was doing his best to get through the classes he was taking at the moment and that included going to the tutoring center for help when his dyslexia proved too much for him to handle on his own. It wasn’t awful, but sometimes when he was overwhelmed, which he was pretty sure everyone was the week before Thanksgiving, he had a harder time focusing.
So, he was walking across campus, on his way to the tutoring center, making his way around other students who were sitting outside when a guy coming from the opposite direction suddenly grabbed his arm. It took Percy a moment to realize why he’d grabbed his arm, part of his brain wanting to go into defensive mode, but he quickly realized what had happened when the guy spoke, “Hey, no problem. You’d think some people wouldn’t just randomly throw their stuff around.” He glanced down at the bag the guy had tripped over then for it’s owner who hadn’t seemed to hear a word Percy had said or was choosing to ignore him.
“Apparently that’s not a concern everybody shares with us” John replied rolling his eyes as the owner of the bag ignored them both, “Anyway I’m probably stopping you from getting to class or something”
Percy shook his head, adjusting the strap of his own bag, which had slid down off his shoulder when the other guy had grabbed him, “I was just heading towards the tutoring center, but that’s…” He glanced at his watch, “Open for like another two hours. So I’m not really in a hurry.” Percy hadn’t really talked to a lot of other students outside of his classes so he wasn’t really sure why he was continuing a conversation with this guy now, but for one reason or another he was. “But you’re probably in a hurry to get to class or something.”
John chuckled, “Oh I’m not a student. I was actually here on a job. I run a computer consultancy business and I was doing an upgrade on the security system the campus uses” he explained, “I’m afraid school and I didn’t get along but luckily my business took off pretty well”
Percy couldn’t help but stare at the guy for a moment or two after that. He didn’t look too much older than him, but he had his own business. “Seriously? How old are you?” Sometimes Percy could be extremely nosey or speak without actually thinking before he did it and now was one of those times. Hopefully he wouldn’t offend the other guy.
That caused John to chuckle, “I’m eighteen” he replied, it took a lot to insult John and if anything he was flattered in a strange way. “Like I said I didn’t get on with school so I got out as soon as I could and there was no way I was going into retail” he joked.
That answer caused Percy’s green eyes to widen, “Eighteen? And you have your own business? I’m eighteen and haven’t even started taking classes for my major.” Percy had heard of young people starting up their own businesses, but he’d never actually met someone his own age who’d done it. “Wow.”
“Thanks, man” John replied, “I’d recommend giving it a go but not only would your parents probably kill me but I think I was pretty lucky in all honesty. I don’t think it’s supposed to be this easy”
“Yeah, my mom probably wouldn’t like it if I just dropped out. Besides, then I probably wouldn’t get the chance to do what I really want.” Percy still couldn’t believe that this guy was his age and had his own business. “Oh, I’m Percy, by the way.” He figured that the guy should at least know who it was that he’d almost fallen into.
“John” he replied, holding out his hand, “So what is it that you want to do Percy?” he asked curious now.
Percy shook John’s hand, “I want to go into video game design. Maybe have my own company someday.” That was where the minor in business came in, which was what gave Percy the most difficulty, but if he wanted to have his own video game company someday then he’d have to deal with the business courses and go to the tutoring center when he needed the help.
John nodded, “Cool, that’s a pretty good business to be in, fun too” he said, “So you’re studying programming I take it?” he questioned.
“I will be. This semester I had to take the boring stuff. Math and English. Next semester I get to finally start taking classes for my major.” Percy couldn’t wait till he got into the classes that would actually help to further his major along. “How did you start your own business if you didn’t go to college?” He was extremely curious.
Ah, the boring stuff yes that had been a large reason why John didn’t pursue college. He’d never have lasted through the boring stuff. “I got lucky” he replied honestly, “I helped out a woman at the local library when their computers went down and we got talking, I did a few more jobs for her and then she started recommending me to people she knew. It just spiralled. Luckily my girlfriends sister runs a bar so she helped me with the business side of things”
That was real lucky. Percy wished there was a way for his chosen profession to just fall into his lap without having to go to college, but video game development was just a little more difficult than fixing computers. He knew the basics, but certainly not enough to try and develop a game on his own at the moment, so college it was. “That’s pretty awesome. I’ve talked to a guy on the internet who owns his own video game company and said to contact him when I get further in, so I guess until then I just have to trudge along with the boring stuff.” It kind of sucked, but he was determined to get through this.
“I guess so” John agreed, “I can always keep you in mind for any jobs that come up which fall within your remit if you like?” he offered, it was always good to have contacts and people to call if he needed them.
Percy’s brows rose slightly at that and he nodded, “Yeah. That’d be great.” Percy still didn’t have a job, he was using the money he’d saved up as well as money his mother gave him to help him get through his first semester. “I’ve been looking for a job, but most of the stuff around here is all fast food stuff.” And Percy didn’t really want to do that.
“If you’re going to be a video game designer we can definitely find better uses for your skills than serving burgers” John replied as he pulled a business card from his pocket, “Send me a cv and contact details?” he requested.
That had been the last thing Percy had expected when John had bumped into him, “Wow. Yeah, thanks. I’ll definitely do that,” He said, taking the card from John and glancing at it a bit dumbfounded. He was holding a real business card from a guy who was his age who was asking for his contact information. If he didn’t know any better, Percy would have thought he was dreaming. He would have to tell Annabeth about this right away.
“Excellent” John nodded, “I should probably be getting back to the office but I’ll be in touch soon” John was very much a believer in giving people chances and opportunities. As long as Percy proved he could do what needed to be done then John was happy to throw work his way. It’d be good experience and look good on Percy’s resume after college.