Relapse (Reworked)
Ordered by the board
Seattle, FavorAuto company building top floor, CEO lounge
Aiden lies on the couch by the bookshelf, flipping a book lazily and sipping coffee.
He squints his eyes as his vision gets hazy, then turns to his secretary who just walked in.
Aiden
Oh finally, Carlo. Shut the blinds.
Aiden
Why is it so damn bright in here?
Carlo presses a button that reels down all the window blinds in the room.
Secretary
That may be because it's noon, Mr. Cox.
Aiden massages his temples after putting down the book and cup on the coffee table, then sits up.
Secretary
Are you drinking agai-
Aiden
What do you want, Rodríguez.
Secretary
I came to inform you that your doctor has arrived.
Aiden
I didn't order an appointment with any doctor.
Secretary
It was by order of the board.
Secretary
He's waiting in the offi-
Aiden
Order of the board, you say.
Aiden leans back as he sips the rest of his coffee.
He lets out a long sigh, returns the cup to the table, and then stands with his arms crossed.
Aiden
Who is this doctor that was "ordered by the board"?
Carlo opens the lounge door for Aiden as they walk down the hall to the office.
Secretary
Doctor and Professor Kaji Haruki. Japanese. Studied in Osaka then came to America after he was offered a job here.
Carlo swings the office door open.
Secretary
He is one of the best in the world-
Aiden
Is that the ‘best in the world’ smothering himself on my couch?
An amazing first impression
Seattle, FavorAuto company building top floor, CEO office
Haruki
💭: I'm so nervous...
Haruki paces around the office.
Haruki
💭: The CEO of the LARGEST car company...
Haruki
What kind of last name even is that?
Haruki freezes. He slaps both his cheeks firmly.
Haruki
💭: Keep it together, Haruki....
Haruki
💭: But I'm just so....
Haruki flops onto the office sofa, face down on a cushion, and kicks his legs in the air.
_____________________________
Carlo swings the office door open.
Secretary
He is one of the best in the world-
Aiden
Is that the ‘best in the world’ smothering himself on my couch?
_____________________________
Haruki whips his head up from the cushion.
The doctor jumps up from the couch and stumbles over to Aiden and Carlo.
He bows at a 90° angle and presents his business card between his index and thumb on both hands.
Haruki
Doctor Kaji Haruki.
Haruki
I'm here for Mr. Aiden...
Haruki squeezes his eyes shut as an attempt to smother his laugh.
Aiden
What in the world...
Aiden throws a sharp, confused glare at Carlo.
Secretary
Let's being the interview, shall we?
Aiden furrows his eyebrows.
Haruki peeks up from his bow.
_____________________________
Carlo stands at the corner of the room.
Haruki sits on the couch (politely this time).
Aiden leans against his desk.
Aiden
Alright, Doctor Kaji.
Aiden
I'm going to ask a few questions.
Aiden
Just answer to the best of your abilities.
Haruki nods with his hands on his knees.
Aiden huffs out a long, deep sigh as he picks up Kaji's resume.
An Interview...
Seattle, FavorAuto company building top floor, CEO office
_____________________________
Aiden skims through Kaji's resume.
Aiden
Can you go over your background?
Haruki leans back against the couch cushion, getting himself comfortable.
Aiden ran his tounge over his teeth irritably.
Haruki lifts his hand and lowers each finger as he lists his past.
Haruki
I was born and raised in Japan, Osaka~
Haruki
I attended Osaka University of Human Sciences~
Haruki
Graduated top of my class in psychology~
Haruki smirks as he watches Aiden's face turn from annoyed to impressed.
Haruki
Not to mention, I co-taught a few courses with THE Professor Maxwell.
Haruki
Oh and I published a psychology book when I was 21.
Haruki
Skipped kindergarten and the first grade. Graduated high school at 14.
Haruki
I got a national scholarship for gifted youth.
Haruki
Then off I was to University. Not even a legal adult yet.
Haruki laughs but it didn't reach his eyes.
Aiden
That's quite extraordinary.
Haruki
I could say the same to you.
Aiden smiles–just barely.
He sets aside the sheets of paper containing Haruki's resume.
Aiden
So, why do you want this job?
Aiden glances up with furrowed brows.
Aiden
The question is clear.
Aiden
Why should I hire you?
Haruki cocks his head, innocently with widened eyes.
Haruki
I'm not here for an interview.
Haruki
I thought we were just getting to know each other.
Haruki
This is an intervention.
Aiden's lip twitches. He turns to Carlo who is standing in the corner with a tablet in hand.
Aiden
What is he talking about?
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