Reviewing Offers
At home enjoying a midnight snack, Jabari, who currently holds a Mr. E position at Jack Pine Tower, thinks over his W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. career and the various options he has in store for the new year...
transcript
transcript
It’s Christmas Eve night, and Mr. E is reviewing his options...
MR E.:
(joyfully hums to self) I believe I should finally look over those offers now. But, first, a little snack... MR. E prepares himself dessert in the kitchen--- slices pie, plates it, puts it into the microwave, pours himself some hot chocolate, stirs, adds whipped cream. Microwave beeps, removes plate from microwave, walks into the living room, takes a seat in his comfy recliner... MR E.:
(sits back, sighs in contentment) Ah. This is nice. (takes a bite of pie, pleased hum) Mmmmm...that is some good pie. (gathers papers, finishes chewing, takes a drink of cocoa) I have several proposals to look through. Honestly, more than I was expecting. I...really wasn’t expecting any. I thought that I would continue in my Junior Sprout Instructor position for at least a couple more years. Those Higher-Ups, though...a few of them HAVE spoken to me directly saying that I have ‘potential’. (breathes a laugh) Sounds like something I’d say to one of the children. (breathes a chuckle, opens envelope, clears throat to read) "Dear [NAME], We would like to inform you of an exciting opportunity in Melbourne, Australia. Commander Marcee Tanner of Banksia Center is soon to step down from her position. We are seeking a willing and experienced WILLOWISP employee to take her place. This operative must have experience with management, coordination, planning, counselling, and organization–all of which you possess, as evidenced by your current title of Mr. E at Jack Pine Towers. More detailed information concerning requirements and expectations are enclosed. Please look over each document carefully. If you agree and accept this offer, please confirm by mail before Friday, December 31, 2027. You will then be provided instructions, transportation, and lodging in Melbourne so that you may begin shadowing Commander Tanner starting Monday, January 10th, 2028. Shadowing should last not more than eighteen weeks. Further questions will be addressed upon your arrival. Thank you for your continued service at the agency.
--WILLOWISP Higher-Ups."
(thoughtful, considering) Australia, hmm? That could be interesting. (exhales) Though it is half-way around the world and I’ve quite gotten used to where I am. I already have this apartment in the Underbrush. I won’t have to move any of my things. I could continue being Mr. E for the Junior Sprouts...but I do feel like I am missing out on something. Ive been a Sprout Instructor for over four years, and every time the children graduate, most of them go on to do amazing things at the company. I can’t help but feel that I’m being left behind, until another class of students arrives and I get nostalgic again. I mean, I love my job, and it is very rewarding to help the kids, but I’m just in awe of exactly how many opportunities exist within this organization. I never thought I would be able to build a career like this and have such an interesting life. I don’t want to be stagnant.
Even if I give up teaching, I could still stay here in Bethesda and do something else. Commander McCox has said that there are endless things to do at Jack Pine. Base Op positions are always being advertised, and not all of them require the possession of advanced technological knowledge. Surveilance jobs exist. But that could get boring quick. I could become a Super Spy. I’d have to train and take classes for about a year, but it shouldn’t be much of anything I don’t already know at least a little about. The only problem would be that I’ve gotten quite used to working inside headquarters. Super Spies don’t know where they’ll be sent and when.
(takes another bite of pie) Oh. That’s right. I did receive an email, too. From my old Commander. I receive so many emails from my old Commander (chuckles) I usually delete them, but there was something about this last one... (types away at laptop) It was sent a couple of weeks ago...I think I starred it...(gasps) Found it. (clicks, reads) "Hello [NAME]. I know I message you often, but this time, things are more urgent. Yes, your Field Agent position is still open here. However, we are now willing to take whatever you are currently being compensated and double it if you agree to return. Although it has been four years, rest assured that we always have a spot for you on the team. You were one of our best Field Agents and we would love to have you back. --Commander Udu, Ficus Branch, Nairobi"
(sighs, conflicted hum) Doubled pay. It’s a bit strange they’d double my Sprout Instructor salary just to have me be a Field Agent again. I would be performing menial tasks without even knowing the full details of what situations lie behind each assignment. Hmmm...(thinks, rubs chin) Having less knowledge is less responsibility, but I don’t know if I want to go back to that... (finishes eating pie, drinks cocoa) This is all quite a lot to think about. (yawns as the clock strikes) Perhaps it will do me good to sleep on it and make a final decision in the morning? (yawns again, stretches, gets up, walks upstairs to bed, hums drowsily)
MR E.:
(joyfully hums to self) I believe I should finally look over those offers now. But, first, a little snack... MR. E prepares himself dessert in the kitchen--- slices pie, plates it, puts it into the microwave, pours himself some hot chocolate, stirs, adds whipped cream. Microwave beeps, removes plate from microwave, walks into the living room, takes a seat in his comfy recliner... MR E.:
(sits back, sighs in contentment) Ah. This is nice. (takes a bite of pie, pleased hum) Mmmmm...that is some good pie. (gathers papers, finishes chewing, takes a drink of cocoa) I have several proposals to look through. Honestly, more than I was expecting. I...really wasn’t expecting any. I thought that I would continue in my Junior Sprout Instructor position for at least a couple more years. Those Higher-Ups, though...a few of them HAVE spoken to me directly saying that I have ‘potential’. (breathes a laugh) Sounds like something I’d say to one of the children. (breathes a chuckle, opens envelope, clears throat to read) "Dear [NAME], We would like to inform you of an exciting opportunity in Melbourne, Australia. Commander Marcee Tanner of Banksia Center is soon to step down from her position. We are seeking a willing and experienced WILLOWISP employee to take her place. This operative must have experience with management, coordination, planning, counselling, and organization–all of which you possess, as evidenced by your current title of Mr. E at Jack Pine Towers. More detailed information concerning requirements and expectations are enclosed. Please look over each document carefully. If you agree and accept this offer, please confirm by mail before Friday, December 31, 2027. You will then be provided instructions, transportation, and lodging in Melbourne so that you may begin shadowing Commander Tanner starting Monday, January 10th, 2028. Shadowing should last not more than eighteen weeks. Further questions will be addressed upon your arrival. Thank you for your continued service at the agency.
--WILLOWISP Higher-Ups."
(thoughtful, considering) Australia, hmm? That could be interesting. (exhales) Though it is half-way around the world and I’ve quite gotten used to where I am. I already have this apartment in the Underbrush. I won’t have to move any of my things. I could continue being Mr. E for the Junior Sprouts...but I do feel like I am missing out on something. Ive been a Sprout Instructor for over four years, and every time the children graduate, most of them go on to do amazing things at the company. I can’t help but feel that I’m being left behind, until another class of students arrives and I get nostalgic again. I mean, I love my job, and it is very rewarding to help the kids, but I’m just in awe of exactly how many opportunities exist within this organization. I never thought I would be able to build a career like this and have such an interesting life. I don’t want to be stagnant.
Even if I give up teaching, I could still stay here in Bethesda and do something else. Commander McCox has said that there are endless things to do at Jack Pine. Base Op positions are always being advertised, and not all of them require the possession of advanced technological knowledge. Surveilance jobs exist. But that could get boring quick. I could become a Super Spy. I’d have to train and take classes for about a year, but it shouldn’t be much of anything I don’t already know at least a little about. The only problem would be that I’ve gotten quite used to working inside headquarters. Super Spies don’t know where they’ll be sent and when.
(takes another bite of pie) Oh. That’s right. I did receive an email, too. From my old Commander. I receive so many emails from my old Commander (chuckles) I usually delete them, but there was something about this last one... (types away at laptop) It was sent a couple of weeks ago...I think I starred it...(gasps) Found it. (clicks, reads) "Hello [NAME]. I know I message you often, but this time, things are more urgent. Yes, your Field Agent position is still open here. However, we are now willing to take whatever you are currently being compensated and double it if you agree to return. Although it has been four years, rest assured that we always have a spot for you on the team. You were one of our best Field Agents and we would love to have you back. --Commander Udu, Ficus Branch, Nairobi"
(sighs, conflicted hum) Doubled pay. It’s a bit strange they’d double my Sprout Instructor salary just to have me be a Field Agent again. I would be performing menial tasks without even knowing the full details of what situations lie behind each assignment. Hmmm...(thinks, rubs chin) Having less knowledge is less responsibility, but I don’t know if I want to go back to that... (finishes eating pie, drinks cocoa) This is all quite a lot to think about. (yawns as the clock strikes) Perhaps it will do me good to sleep on it and make a final decision in the morning? (yawns again, stretches, gets up, walks upstairs to bed, hums drowsily)
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