Bre’s Shorts – JoAnna Part 2

Yes you have to read Part 1 first.

For decades, the Department of Human Services has employed the living and no longer living.  Four month ago, JoAnna found herself in a new city after a series of unfortunate events, with an old Jeep full of her belongings and enough money to live for about a week.  The Nakamura’s had a sign that the apartment above their restaurant was for rent and JoAnna filled in as hostess, bus boy, and janitor to make sure the rent was paid.

She was taking a much needed break at the coffee shop down the street when she saw an ad that caught her eye.

Looking for qualified individuals to coordinate for government office.

Must be 18+

Must be able to be discreet

Great pay. Decent hours.

She called the contact number because why the hell not and when she was greeted with a nice voice and confirmation that it was a real ad, not a plot to kidnap the broke and gullible, she scheduled herself to be on site for the group interview.

JoAnna arrived at the unmarked, gray building, signed in with Connie, and was escorted to the second floor with the other applicants.  It was a typical group interview setting.  Plain boardroom table with a white board at the front of the room.  An ancient television screen.  Everything hospital-grade stark white.

A woman from Human Resources came into the room and made everyone submit their resumes and contact information.  She then got on with the explanation.

“We are looking to fill several positions today so that is why we are having this group interview.  I’m going to show a short video and then we will get on with the rest of the interview.”

Twenty people were around the table at the start of the movie.

It was the quality of any other Human Resources video tape.  An introduction about all of the death and destruction in the world.  Artwork depicting the Pompeii eruption. Hurricanes.  Car accidents. Explosions.  Tombstones.  Grim death.  And finally a sentence comes up on the screen:

“Everybody has to die some time.”

A few people were visibly uncomfortable.  Two older ladies left.  When the HR lady returned, the room was silent.  JoAnna was pretty sure she walked into a real life Saw movie.  Phase two of the interview was multiple choice questions.

Are you religious?

Do you have a close relationship with your family?

Do you believe in the afterlife or supernatural beings?

Do you keep up with current events?

Fifty questions along those lines.  One by one the computer went dark and the applicant was dismissed. JoAnna and another lonely soul were left.  It was then explained that in order to keep things running as needed, sometimes people just had to die. Population control, bad luck, good religion.  Whatever you wanted to call it, it was necessary to keep Earth and the supernatural realm status quo.  And because times are always a’changing, they were hiring the living at the Regional Office of Population Control.

When it was time to sign the paperwork (because who could pass up the health benefits), JoAnna asked if there would be a non-disclosure agreement.

“The section that you’ll be working in doesn’t have any confidential information that is in danger of getting out.  Your main duties will be coordination and travel more than anything else.  Keeping supplies around.  That sort of thing.  And besides, who would believe you,” the woman smiled.

“Are you a ghost,” JoAnna blurted.

“I’m Human Resources.”