I didn’t get the job!

He remembered his job interview last week, it had been the big hope, if he got this job it would solve so many problems. He had spent days working on his resume, it gelled together almost word for word with the position description. Education requirements were a problem but they were optional for the position. He had tons of experience relevant to the position from his army days. 

He wasn't good with words, he looked smart in his discharge suit and cropped haircut, perhaps looking a little too military. He sat nervously but bolt upright. 

The first question. 

"Why do you want to work with us." 

He fumbled an answer but he wasn't prepared to answer that question. He answered the practised rote answer, stating how much he could bring to the company but the interviewer stopped him half way through. 

"Sorry to interrupt, I asked you why you want to work at our company not what you can give us?" 

He fumbled again and they moved on. After a few more questions he became more and more flustered, he became a little aggressive. The other interviewer asked about his criminal record. He could take no more, he stood up, turned over the coffee table and stormed out the door. Civilian life was difficult, he felt like he was building a house on the beach whilst a storm blew. He would build so much and then a big wave toppled it down. He wasn't good at first impression, he always sold himself short. He left and went home, as he entered the flat, Alena smiled. 

"How did the interview go?" 

He went into the bedroom and slammed the door, she knew not to disturb him when he was in a mood. He took off his suit and put on his training gear. He had been offered a street fight for money, this was what he knew, this would help get them through. 

As he left, Alena called out. 

"Where are you going?" 

He did not reply. 

A few hours later, after darkness had fell he stood on a street corner, a man approached. 

"Are you Smudge?"

"Yes!" He replied sharply. 

"Follow me, then." 

He led him three streets down and into an alley where men of all ages stood waiting, in the middle was a younger man, about three year younger. He loosened his neck muscles. 

The man who lead him there said. 

"It's your last chance to walk away. You ok, you want to continue." 

Smudge made no eye contact but grunted in approval. 

"If you win, you get five hundred, if you lose you owe us five hundred. You understand?" 

Again Smudge just grunted, not knowing where he'd get the money. He looked down the alleyway, it was between deserted warehouses, moonlight streaming through the alley. 

The man continued talking. 

"Your opponent is Brutus, he is unbeaten in ten matches." 

Smudge remained stoic, he walked down the alley towards the group as he heard a vehicle pass behind him on Main Street. They looked at each other, sizing each other up. Brutus had a drawn thin face, one that had saw a hard life from a young age. He was sallow skinned and head shaved, deep set, dark brown eyes with heavy dark eyebrows. His nose was crooked having been broken several times. He was thin but pedigree thin, no fat, all muscle. Brutus flexed his arms over his head whilst Smudge stretched his calves on a low wall. It all seemed slow motion, money exchanging hands between the crowd, until in a burst of motion and energy they were fighting. Smudge kicked his leg catching the side ribs of Brutus who swung a right hook catching Smudge in the neck. Brutus then caught Smudge in a strangle hold with his left arm whilst Smudge tried unsuccessfully to kidney punch him. Brutus held onto Smudge, they continued to trade blows. Smudge now giving successive blows to the midriff whilst Brutus punched Smudge's ribs four or five times. Smudge momentarily got free from Brutus' grip and landed a punch square on his jaw. But he quickly recovered getting Smudge under his arm and began repeatedly punching his back. Smudge snapped out of the hold once more as Brutus tried to right kick him in the stomach which was blocked. They now traded kick for kick all blocking as Smudge kept his distance to prevent Brutus trying to grab him again. Unsuccessfully as Brutus again gained a neck hold. Smudge slammed him against a wall, Brutus felt the air push from his lungs at the impact of his back against the brick. The recoil pushed both men rolling out of the alley and onto the main street as they rolled together in a cartwheel narrowly missing a vehicle driving past on the road. They separated and stood again squarely to each other. Smudge swung a right punch which Brutus blocked with his left grabbing Smudge's wrist with his right. He tried to turn Smudge around into an arm lock but Smudge broke free turning three sixty, swinging with his left hook but this time meeting him squarely on the jaw. This was a true connection, blood and saliva spurted. Brutus regained his position and tried to jab him but Smudge ducked causing Brutus to fall over Smudge's back. Smudge took this opportunity following the motion through, flipping him on his back, pinning him with his body weight and momentum. He repeatedly punched him in the face till all that was visible was blood pouring from all of Brutus' facial orifices. Smudge was pulled from him by the man who brought him or he would have killed him. His fury ebbed and he realised he had won and looked at the pummelled face of his opponent as he lay unconscious. He was handed his winnings, it would help but not enough. He looked at his fists scrapped and bloodied, he held his side and knew it would bruise and be sore for the next few weeks, he realised his stupidity, cursing himself under his breath. 

He spoke. 

"Don't contact me again, I am now retired." 

He walked home slowly. The rain began and as he climbed the stair to the flat, Alena opened the door crossed armed, furious, ready to lambast him till she saw him. 

She helped him in and began to tend his wounds. 

"Smudge, what have you done?" 

He put the money on the table. 

"It'll keep us afloat a little while longer, I didn't get the job."