sixwordstories | (no subject)

Mine is perfectly legible. Also, not everyone likes using computers. Five, ten years ago having typed applications would be a rarity.

[Jude exhales with a snort and shakes his head at the girl. With an expression of deep amusement, he raises his fist and uses his thumb to weakly adjust the nasal cannula of his portable oxygen under his nose.]

Are you familiar with a little thing called a typewriter?

I have one. It gave me carpal tunnel because, at least with the older ones, you have to press on the keys quite hard to get them to type properly. You should at least ask to see a sample of handwriting before dismissing the idea of a handwritten applications.

People are free to turn in applications in whatever form they see fit. It's my prerogative whether or not to consider an applicant further. [He pauses.] Tell me, would you hand write your résumé?

But dismissing them because they hand wrote their application is ridiculous. What if the opportunity to type it, and print it simply wasn't there?

I would. It shows neatness, and dedication, since it takes both to make one look nice handwritten, rather than just copy pasting, and fixing up some template found online. I also believe handwriting can tell a lot about a person, while you can't on things typed up. I take all my notes in school by hand, and hand write all my essays.

[Jude simply doesn't have his normal amount of fight left in him. He looks up at the girl thoughtfully, staying mostly silent for a long moment. Breathing shallowly, he gives a weak attempt at clearing his throat before finally continuing the conversation.]

I think there must be exceptions to every rule. You strike me as a dedicated and passionate individual who would likely be very successful in her chosen career. If not a bit of a pain in the ass to work with. If I ever run across your name on an application, I'll be sure not to set it aside, Ms....?

No, I'm sure you'll shred it since you wouldn't want a pain in the ass to work with, now would you?

[She's got him there, though maybe not for the reason that she thinks. Even as he's being given the verbal tongue-lashing, he almost finds himself smiling. The near-desire to laugh is being held back, but it causes him to cough a few times weakly in his throat and take more rapid shots of the concentrated oxygen flowing from the tube under his nose. He waits for the paper to be offered, reaching up with both fists to gather it between the heels of his hand and set it on his lap. It's really only paid a passing glance.]

Only because I'm afraid two pains in the ass working in such close proximity to each other would be a recipe for disaster, Ms. Gray.

Your words, not mine.

You see, I did notice as I spoke them that they seemed to be originating from my mouth. [He raises an eyebrow, clearly quite unimpressed by this comeback of hers.] I don't believe I accused you of having said anything in particular. This entire conversation thus far has revolved around my words and that hasn't yet stopped you from doing your best to ensure I realize how wrong you think they are.

[He turns his head and coughs once more, then sucks in some oxygen and relaxes his shoulders.] You're not doing a stellar job of that, by the way.

And you're very free to think whatever you want of your own words, even though I think they're full of crap. But with the attitude you have, I wouldn't dismiss any applications for consideration, handwritten or not, because I'm sure you won't be getting many.

[Maybe Jude has been doing a good job of taking this all as a joke. But the look on Gabriella's face when coupled with the statement hits just a bit harder than it should. His eyes linger on her for a moment, during which his facial expression shifts from mildly amused to slightly hurt. With a glance down to his lap, he picks up the handwritten piece of paper between his fists and offers it back up to her.]

Thanks for the tip. [Jude responds a little numbly.]