River quietly reminisced growing up on the streets of Brooklyn, as he drove down Jay Street. A time when he had more Friends than he could count. Friends that slowly disappeared, into a distant memory.

He was mentally overwrought with stress and hardship, having to deal with his Mother's using. Focusing on his studies, and biding his time. Eager to succeed--eager to get out there in the world. Trying his best not to let his background hinder his progress.

He had lived a life of trials and tribulations, that failed to break him. River instead rose above his low expectancy, and made himself. Yet he was still in the process of doing so. After four years of studying Business and Human Resource Management, he was ready to experience what pleasures he could find. To prepare himself to further his education, and chase the most sought after merit.

A Master's Degree in Business Administration.

River had high hopes for the future, and even his Mother was a part of the equation. Despite there being no progress in her condition, that shone any light to her recovery.

River's cellphone rang loudly. Reverberating through his eardrums, in a cacophonous jangle that jolted him upright. He fished the tattered piece of Device from his Pocket, carefully peering at the screen. A smile curled his lips upward, the moment he saw James's name pop up.

"What'd you do now?" River asked musingly as he put the phone to his ears. One hand on the steering wheel, as he drove down the crammed Street.

"Firstly, you're an ass. Second, I called to see how it went with your Mum." James voice spoke on the other end.

"She's the same, as always." River shrugged, feeling some sense of reprieve rushing through him.

"I'm sorry, Babe." James said and River's lips pursed.

He knew telling James about his conversation with Dr. Hasan, would stress his Friend out. So River opted not to, hoping that he didn't have to tell James that there's a possibility, that the plug will be pulled. He had enough on his plate, and River knew James well enough. He would offer to help, and River wasn't one to take handouts. Even from his Best Friend of 13 years.

"It's fine, James. It's just like any other day, but I'm on my way to my interview now."

"Bloody hell!" James cursed, "I've been so distracted, I forgot it was today. God, I'm a horrible Friend."

"No you're not, Moron." River rolled his eyes, smiling flippantly. "You're always there for me, so I can't complain because you have shit to do too."

"True, but you're my little River Jordan." James teased and River blushed, rolling his eyes in amusement.

"You're an idiot,"

"I love you too," James laughed, and it echoed in the background.

River's nose scrunched up, as he grew curious about James's whereabouts. There were no other voices in the background. Only the echoes of James's voice as he spoke. As if he was in a bathroom or an empty room somewhere.

"Why is your voice echoing?" River asked.

"I'm taking a shit."

"Ok, ewe. I'm hanging up now!" River fussed, quickly before hanging up the phone.

He gazed ahead of him, watching the backdrop of Manhattan appearing in the distance. He had only 30 minutes left until he was late, but he was positive that he'd make it. So he drove, and drove until he was in the City. Only half a mile away from his destination, with twenty minutes to spare.

In the center of the City, Cars were at a standstill. A horrific car Jam that was the epitome of a morning rush hour. Bathing in the brightness, from a sun blasted sky.

River gaze ahead, and over the cars. Horns blared, and the muffled sounds of people. Talking, laughing, singing and or screaming at the car ahead of them to move.

River's fingers tapped his steering wheel, his impatience stalwart and limpid. His gaze drifted to the passenger's seat, regarding the Blue file-jacket. Coupled with his resume and other innocuous, but not completely irrelevant files.

His little 94' Mini, nestled between two larger cars. Both expensive and a little too gaudy. River gazed ahead once more, just in time as the traffic let up. Going 20 through Manhattan's streets, River gasped as he got a glimpse of the Black Co. building, hovering in the distance. At least a quarter mile away, and apparently much bigger than River thought it was. But he had only seen the building in coupons.

It's dark tinted windows, encasing the concrete, marble and granite, reinforced in a circular structure. Crawling 60 stories high, shimmering from the glare of the sunlight. River marveled at the building, his mouth forming an O. Wonder enlightening him, as his thoughts echoed madly in his head.

"That's one holy ass building," he muttered to himself as he came to a halt. "But, I'm going to be late, if this traffic doesn't let up." He grimaced, watching the red lights--with three cars ahead of him.

The city was bustling with activity, and life. People went to a fro, drinking Coffee while rushing to catch the Train. Whistles rippled through the air, hailing cabs. A steady flow, in the sprawling concrete Jungle that was New York City. Alight with its many species of people, like an inhabited Jungle. A place of promise, life, acceptance and lurking danger.

A smile brightened River's face, and his mind was lifted by a strange new feeling--a feeling he wasn't expecting. The feeling that perhaps he might like working amongst New York's finest. He gazed out at the sea of people, buzzing with all manner of actions and emotions. Slowly easing his car behind the ones before him, his eyes smiling then as though caught in a dream. Yet there was an uncertainty in his eyes. For he wasn't sure if the dream would sustain. But in that very moment, it was a beautiful feeling that he grasped and held on to.

A horn blared loudly behind River, and for a moment he broke from his reverie. Watching as the Street lights changed to green. River felt his nerves heighten, and his excitement rose to an alarming level. So much that it annoyed him, how he sat there just fidgeting. Fingers gripping the steering wheel, in burgeoning angst and trepidation of failure.

A loud clang in the hood of his car caught his attention, and River frowned. He listened again, tying to drown out the sounds of the City. Hoping that it wasn't what he thought it was. For his car was old, and needed tons of repairs. Repairs he didn't have the finance to allocate, with all his bills piling up. A subtle scent of smoke, and burning iron entered his nostrils. Cramping his jawbone, while it's putrid aroma floated inside the car.

Soon, his eyes widened as he glanced at the discolored hood. Watching smoke rise from beneath it, slowly billowing upwards into the sky.

"No no no, this isn't happening." River murmured as his angst turned into rising nervousness.

He quickly gazed around the City frantically, searching for somewhere he could park the car. Amazingly, a parking spot before a newly refurbished Taco Bell was open. A metered area, that was just sitting there waiting. River peered around, deciding to waste no time as he saw that he only had five minutes remaining.

Easing the car into the spot was a pain, but thankfully his vehicle was small enough to fit. River quickly put the car in park, and exited swiftly. The smoke was building up, and he caught the attention of passerby's as he popped the hood. Jumping back as he was assaulted by a huge puff of smoke.

River coughed loudly, swatting away the smoke as if he was being attacked by a swarm of Bees. Peering down at the Engine, annoyed that he couldn't see the source of the smoke.

As the smoke began to clear, River neared the engine and scanned it. But it was apropos to nothing, for he knew nothing about cars at all. He only knew that his car had spontaneous issues, that only got worse and worse as the days went by.

"Shit!" He cursed as he checked the time one his small wristwatch, noting that he had only a minute remaining.

He glanced around the area he stood, taking in the activities. People walked by, listening to their calls, or music devises. Checking their Smartphones and sipping their Starbucks. Unbothered by the summer heat, or the young man with a smoking car--a minute away from being late to his interview.

"Thank you!" River hissed as he kicked the hood of the car. "Can this day get any worse?" He asked, only seconds later the front bumper fell to the ground with a loud clang.

River's eyes widened, realizing that he had an all new predicament. But he didn't have time to muddle over it, or worry about the repairs. For he was about to lose the one shot at furthering his goals, which started with the internship. He then decided that the Car would have to be checked out, after he had completed his interview.

"Great, my big mouth." River muttered dryly as he picked up the bumper, astonished that nobody came to his aid.

He quickly stuffed the bumper in the backseat, but the door wouldn't close. Heightening his annoyance, as he tried stuffing the old metal into the car. He then lifted the old piece of metal, closing the door easily. He walked to the driver's seat, grabbed his file and removed the key from the ignition. Seconds later after locking up the car, and paying the meter with enough quarters to last an hour. River was running down 24th street, careful not to push anybody down or run into a Kiosk.

He could see the Black Co. building ahead of him--nearing him as he ran. He began panting, as his breath ran out and his legs burned. "Cardio and I are not friends," River exclaimed breathily as he ran hastily down the avenue.

Finally River made it to the entrance of the building, but he took a second to marvel at the building. Peering up into the sky, with bright eyes and mouth agape. With not a second left to spare, he trudged towards the building and entered. He hadn't the time to view the magnificence of the interior. All he was focused on, was getting to the 59th floor. Which took another three minutes out of his time. Leaving him twelve minutes late, perspiring profusely as he approached the Receptionist's desk.

A dark skinned receptionist watched as River ran up to the desk, almost slipping to a fall. She stood at least 5' 0", with a thin build. Dressed in formal, work attire. Her brown eyes squinted as she regarded River. Appalled at his disheveled hair, and sweat stained button down shirt. Tucked neatly into his nicer pair of Khakis. An attire that made him stand out amongst the others, dressed in their impressive work apparel.

"Hi," River greeted, out of breath and panting like he had just ran a 40 mile race.

"Uhh, are you lost, sir?" The woman asked, whisking her dark hair away from her eyes.

River scowled at her tone, and grew annoyed by the scrutinizing look in her eyes. "I'm here for the Internship interview, with Grace Keller?" River implored, still out of breath.

The woman gazed at him confusedly, and River groaned out heavily. "My name is River Kennedi, and I'm here for an interview with Grace Keller." River said haughtily, and the woman frowned at him.

"Give me a moment," she flashed him a tight smile as she picked up her phone, punching in a number.

River used that moment of wait, to try and straighten his shirt and tie. Hoping to God that he wasn't a complete, hot mess.

"Mrs. Keller, I have a River Kennedi here for an interview." The Receptionist spoke into the receiver, pausing as she listened to the person at the other end of the line.

"Ok ma'am, I'll send him your way." She smiled and hung up, turning to River with a flat gaze.

"Conference Room is down the hall, and to the left. They're expecting you," the woman said and River nodded, smiling at her.

"Thank you!" He called after her, clutching the file jacket as he made his way down the corridor, breaking into a speed walk.

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