I could feel it just behind me. Breathing down my neck. The light was so far away. I could feel the hot air and stale breath snake into my nostril, and mouth as it tried to consume me. It hypnotised me. I stumbled.
“How bad do you want it?” That was a strange question. After all, I was not looking for an opportunity. I was approached.
“Look stop frowning. I have to make sure”
“I thought you needed me more than I needed you? So why that question”
Yes, I had just left school and had this huge debt to pay back, but I was nervous. After all, there were scammers everywhere. People who sensed vulnerability and pounced. I knew I would not allow myself to become a victim.
“Look I can see that the sun a burn you, let’s go under the shade”
It was good that he suggested this because the sun was also blinding. Apart from his jaundiced skin, I could make out nothing clearly. Everything was a blur. We quickly moved to an empty spot, after all, it was lunchtime and no one wanted to be delayed.
“Well the job I have for you is a good paying job, I can help you to position yourself well to get one. You look like an intelligent girl. But this job goes fast so I would need to know today if you are interested”. His voice was a little too smooth, practised and precise. But I felt rooted.
“Listen, I know jobs are hard to get, but don’t worry, I can help you”. I did not say a word. I was trying to read the truth of his words in his diminutive stature, the hollows of his cheeks that cast a shadow and the warmth of his eyes that spoke of sincerity. Well, I started to see the possibility of authenticity.
“Alright, here is my card, I am a recruiter and I am not like them scammer bwoy. You have to tell me if you are interested because we need workers now.” Should I take the plunge? I had no connections to getting a job, my family didn’t have it like that. I would never benefit from cronyism. He seemed genuine. But –
“Listen, I am not staying too long with you but if you are interested, I need $10000 dollars for the uniform and to get you on the list but that is all. All you need to do is prepare your resume and come prepared to do an interview.” Ten thousand dollars! Now this was a scam! Surely he saw me when I left the ATM and was running a scam on me.
“$10,000 for what!?” I never hear say you have to pay for a job nowadays.
“Listen” Bwoy his voice smooth like silk. Surprising because his dirt-stained shirt hastily draped on his body indicated that he was anything but smooth. I really looked at him in the shadows but could detect no crack in his sincerity. I could not see his eyes, they were hidden behind the darkest pair of sunglasses I had ever seen. I needed a job. What should I do?
“Alright, I am interested but why do I have to buy-?”
“You wasting my time. I have been doing this for ten years now. I always recruit people to work in customs at the airport. Do you have a first degree?”
“Yes”
“Then you are an ideal candidate”.
” I don’t have $10,000″
“Hey wait nuh man! If not ten then five. I don’t normally do this but I will because I am not a hard man. So give me what you have now and the rest later. How that sound?” Well five better to lose than ten! It so hard to get a job, especially with those who can employee you telling you if you wait one year before you can get a job it is okay. eh, who would say such a thing, especially when I have student loan to pay back. I still don’t trust this brother.
“Now if you are interested I want you to meet me on French Street, by the Green Grocers this Friday at 10 a.m.” Well, I want to see if people this wicked. I gave him the five thousand dollars and he gave me his number. The way my hand sweating, the money seemed stuck to my palms. I hope this works because is a real fool I going to be, come Friday if him don’t turn up.
“Remember, Friday, French Street, 10 a.m. Don’t be late” With that he walked off with my precious five thousand dollars. A wave of embarrassment and trepidation overcame me as I quickly walked away. Did I make a mistake?
