Choices x Time= LIFE

I am currently...between jobs. As an actress I feel like all I ever am is between jobs. But right now I really don't have a steady income from anywhere. For real unemployed.

Maybe it's the recession, maybe its that I'm getting older, maybe it's a combo of the two, but I'm beginning to feel a strong need to have some kind of stable "9-5." I need to be a grown up and have some nice things! I need to go the dentist. I need to pay some bills. I need to not be worried at the end of every month. I need a savings account. I need some assets. Things that all seemed over rated at 22 seem necessary at 25.

So I've been applying for some 9-5s. Lots of companies are hiring in Sales right now...probably because they're trying to help their sales from continuing to plummet.
I had one interview last week for such sales job. But it felt a little more like a divine appointment.

I was interviewed by Ed. This was a group interview. We received a powerpoint presentation on the job and then were sent to the lobby to be called in one by one and assigned to one of the ten managers present to interview with. The interviewer sits on one side of the table. The interviewee on the other. Walking through the room everyone looked stiff. The interviewers peering skeptically down at resumes, the interviewees sitting on the edge of their chairs looking like a puppy on their hind legs for a dog treat. Must I take this position as the interview right now? Ug.

And I just happened (or not just happened...after all, there are no coincidences, right?) to be assigned to Ed. I tried to remain back in my seat and relaxed as Ed peered down at my resume and asked me bullet point by bullet point all the required interview questions, "What are your strengths? What was a time you closed a tough sale? Where do you see yourself in five years?" etc, etc...and I tried to charm my way through most of them as I really have no sales experience whatsoever. Things were going well! Ed was laughing, I felt relaxed. It didn't seem to matter that I had no sales experience...it seemed like my personality was totally winning me this job--yes! But then it all turned around. Ed pushed aside all the papers with the questions and leaned forward. He looked straight and deep into my eyes: "Why do you wanna do this job?" I tried to keep my charm on and said something about, "opportunity...my skills..develop...challenge..yadadada" He put his hand out, like, enough. "What do YOU want? Why would you wanna do this job?" I realized I couldn't charm my way through with classic interviewee answers. He was speaking like he was my best friend, asking me why I wanted to date a guy who seemed cute but was known to be a slimy jerk.

I felt completely on the spot. I was shocked-- the interviewer leaning forward like the puppy waiting for a treat. Only Ed wasn't like a puppy. He was like one of those guys you can call "a really cool cat." All of a sudden, he was a guy I felt like I wanted to sit in a bar with and listen to jazz. I could see that he was a real guy, not a sales manager. A man, not the man, you know? I had nothing to do or say. I didn't know if I had a crush on this guy or if I was offended or if he was my guardian angel or something. Like Dudley in The Bishop's Wife.

Then Ed starting talking. He used to be an Improviser. That's why he moved to Chicago. He was on the second city tour for a while with an improviser who then went on to be on SNL and have a successful career as a comedian. But rather than stay on that road, Ed decided to use his time differently. Why? The answer was simple : nice shoes. And right there in that conference hall at 10:30 am on a Thursday, Ed explained to me the crossroads of his life. He had the choice to take a promotion in Sales or go back on tour with Second City and he decided he wanted to be able to afford nice shoes. I totally understood. You need to be a grownup and have some nice things! Go to the dentist. Pay some bills. Have some assets.

Ed took that promotion and hasnt done any improvising since. But maybe I can make it work! Maybe I can keep the art alive and do make the money! And if I'm working for this guy, it can't be that bad, right? Ed went ahead and made me an offer. Strangest job offer I've ever and may ever receive: "Yeah, man. Do I think you could do this job? Sure. It's carrying around a clipboard, going to meetings. It's talking to people. Do I think you'd like it? No, probably not! But it's up to you."

As he walked me to the door and joked, "You gotta decide. Do you want nice shoes?"