Free Faasp Hospital by Thadd Evans

Chapter One
     
     
    In the afternoon of the year 2035, I entered Joseph’s office. Minutes ago, this CEO of Optev, a software company in San Francisco that created medical equipment for eye doctors, called. After a brief conversation, he told me to come here.
    This gaunt individual frowned.
    I sat down, teeth clenched, scared. Joseph only spoke to me to deliver bad news.
    “I don’t know how to say this, but there’s no more work.” He handed me a check. “When the need arises, we’ll call you.”
    I took it, grinning, being professional, then stood and left, my body cold, a shocked reaction.
    My temporary job as a computer programmer had ended.
     
    Months later, on a winter day, after selling my used car to pay rent, I walked away, thoughts racing, upset, knowing unemployment insurance wasn’t enough to meet next month’s expenses. My undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biology along with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science looked impressive, but my work history, only a few months, was a problem. In fierce competition, about twenty seekers for each job, only the best were hired.
     
    In late April, on a Wednesday evening, an email from Donald Flen, the CEO of Ahantech, a two-year old company in San Francisco that was similar to Optev appeared. He wanted me to come to his office for a job interview, but the response didn’t mention anything else.
    According to an internet search, he, a forty year old with undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Biochemistry along with a Bachelors’ in Computer Science, had worked for Visse, a corporation that used nanobots to improve and restore eyesight. Because he spent nine years with this cutting edge organization before starting Ahantech, odds were high that this new company, Ahantech would succeed.
    I gawked at the information, stunned by his impressive background.
     
    Near the end of the week, I entered Donald’s office, my ninth job interview and sat down, blinking.
    A slender man with pink skin and thick glasses frowned. “Thanks for coming in.”
    I smiled, my stomach muscles tight, worried.
    He glowered. “Why do you want this job?”
    My adrenaline pumped faster. “It’s a great way to help people. And I love the challenge of creating great apps.”
    He scowled. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
    I grinned, feeling paranoid. “Here.” Was this short answer the best? More details might help. However, a stupid, half-baked comment would make him angry.
    He glanced at a piece of paper, a blank expression on his face. “If we’re interested, someone will call you back.”
    “Okay.” Was my cliché the best response? I couldn’t think of anything else.
    He nodded, glowering.
    I left.
    In the waiting room, two men and a woman, all about my age, dressed in designer suits, glanced at me.
    I smiled, being courteous, and headed for the door, chills running down my spine, terrified that Donald would hire one of them, not me.
     
    Monday afternoon, my phone rang. I answered.
    A woman, a stranger with an icy tone, asked if I was available for an interview tomorrow morning with Donald.
    I said I was.
     
    I sat, grinning, astounded. My mind went into high gear, preparing for a tough question.
    Donald offered a thin smile, one that look forced. “I like your resume.”
    “Thanks.”
    He frowned. “There’s a ninety day probation period. During that time, use and improve Medxao, our software, to help Ophthalmologists and eye surgeons. Are you interested?”
    “Yes.”
    “Tomorrow at eleven, start work at Dr. Haar’s office.” Donald told me where it was.
    I beamed, excited, yet terrified and left the room. My cell phone rang. I answered.
    Donald announced, “There has been a change of plans. Tomorrow, at nine, help medical assistants in ophthalmology.” He gave me a name and room number. “When that is finished, go to Dr. Haar’s office.”
    According to text, the result of a smart phone search, Dr. John Haar received his medical degree