HOME | DD

Description

After three grueling years of work and becoming the first non-genetically modified student to graduate from Princeton University's School of Architecture with a Master's Degree in over 100 years, Jacob had high hopes of joining his dream firm in Chicago's branch office of Donovan & Shaw. His fervently religious parents had cruelly opted out of genetic modifications for Jacob 28 years ago, likely limiting his potential intelligence and leaving him with an unfortunate adult stature of just 5'11" (180 cm). But even with these disadvantages, Jacob thrived throughout childhood and managed to build his self-esteem in spite of the bullying from other, genetically gifted children. It was in middle school when teachers first noticed that Jacob had a genius level intelligence for someone with a natural birth, giving him intellectual abilities at par with his peers. Because of this, he became somewhat of a minor celebrity in his small Illinois town, eventually creating a circle of friends and some measure of respect throughout his community.

However, Jacob would soon find out that the rest of society would be less forgiving.

Jacob thought the interview at Donovan & Shaw had gone well. The interviewer seemed impressed by his resume and she noted that they still had three slots open at the firm for this year and he might be "the perfect fit" for what they needed. So, after the interview, he was taken down the hall and into different offices to meet members of the team. Some people laughed at him upon entering their rooms, but Jacob was used to that and he didn't think anything of it. But then he was taken to the second floor conference room to meet the partners. And it was at that moment, upon meeting one of the senior partners who bent down to his eye-level to introduced herself with a "baby talk" inflection, when Jacob realized his interview had been a humiliating sham. He wasn't getting the job and he never even stood a chance. Jacob felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment as the conference room, filled with associates and interns he had met just moments earlier, exploded into raucous laughter. Then, one of the other partners approached him with a mop and bucket (which he unthinkingly accepted), dramatically explaining that he would be "the perfect fit" for reaching the lower nooks and crannies that the cleaning bots missed. Followed by more raucous laughter.

How could he have been so stupid? How could a man such as himself hope to be hired at such a prestigious firm?

Description

After three grueling years of work and becoming the first non-genetically modified student to graduate from Princeton University's School of Architecture with a Master's Degree in over 100 years, Jacob had high hopes of joining his dream firm in Chicago's branch office of Donovan & Shaw. His fervently religious parents had cruelly opted out of genetic modifications for Jacob 28 years ago, likely limiting his potential intelligence and leaving him with an unfortunate adult stature of just 5'11" (180 cm). But even with these disadvantages, Jacob thrived throughout childhood and managed to build his self-esteem in spite of the bullying from other, genetically gifted children. It was in middle school when teachers first noticed that Jacob had a genius level intelligence for someone with a natural birth, giving him intellectual abilities at par with his peers. Because of this, he became somewhat of a minor celebrity in his small Illinois town, eventually creating a circle of friends and some measure of respect throughout his community.

However, Jacob would soon find out that the rest of society would be less forgiving.

Jacob thought the interview at Donovan & Shaw had gone well. The interviewer seemed impressed by his resume and she noted that they still had three slots open at the firm for this year and he might be "the perfect fit" for what they needed. So, after the interview, he was taken down the hall and into different offices to meet members of the team. Some people laughed at him upon entering their rooms, but Jacob was used to that and he didn't think anything of it. But then he was taken to the second floor conference room to meet the partners. And it was at that moment, upon meeting one of the senior partners who bent down to his eye-level to introduced herself with a "baby talk" inflection, when Jacob realized his interview had been a humiliating sham. He wasn't getting the job and he never even stood a chance. Jacob felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment as the conference room, filled with associates and interns he had met just moments earlier, exploded into raucous laughter. Then, one of the other partners approached him with a mop and bucket (which he unthinkingly accepted), dramatically explaining that he would be "the perfect fit" for reaching the lower nooks and crannies that the cleaning bots missed. Followed by more raucous laughter.

How could he have been so stupid? How could a man such as himself hope to be hired at such a prestigious firm?