It IS Rocket Science! (3)

Mark knocks on his neighbor door, and Gloria greets him. "Oh, hi Mark. What can I do for you?"

"Can I come in?" Mark asks while holding up a package, "I also have some sweets to share over tea, if you don't mind."

Gloria looks at the package with suspicion, but eventually she relents and allows the man inside. She prepares a kettle of hot water, while Mark hands the single mother a tea bag. Meanwhile, Mark opens the sweets package, allowing the fragrant aroma of freshly baked goods to enter the apartment.

With tea and treats in hand, the pair enjoy the quiet atmosphere until Mark takes the initiative. "How is David doing in the school?"

"He's doing marvelously," the mother answers with pride, "top of his class despite having to compete with the other corpo kids. Remember my words, David will go to places in the future."

"I can tell he has great potential," Mark agrees with Gloria, "it's because of David that I came with a proposal for you, Gloria."

The woman looks suspiciously at Mark, and he takes a small card from his pocket. She hesitantly takes the offered object. "Wube Inc.?"

"It is a foreign company that recently opened its Night City office and factory. I am the Chief Engineer, and currently I'm recruiting new employees for the company. I was thinking on offering you a job as part of the onsite medical staff." Mark pulls out his agent and show Gloria the list of duties and benefits for joining his employ.

She takes the tablet, reading it carefully, until she slides it back with a frown. "I'm sorry Mr. Henderson, but I will have to decline." At Mark surprised expression, she felt the need to elaborate. "My family might be in a delicate situation, but we don't need charity, and the strings attached to it. David doesn't need that kind of baggage for his future."

Mark blinks for a moment, wondering what the woman was talking about. In his view, the offer was generous, and made use of her medical expertise to help take care of the health of his future employees. That's when he remembers Kiwi. "Ah, I think I understand what you're afraid."

Mark lets out a mirthless chuckle once he realizes the full implications of his offer from Gloria's perspective. "Tell me, Mrs. Martinez, do you know what is the hardest trait to find in Night City? Integrity." The Engineer sips some of the tea recommended by Rogue before resuming. "In this age technical qualification isn't appreciated, or even expected, since you can implant a skill chip and perform to a minimum level of competency. Even higher education isn't appreciated anymore through the simple law of supply and demand: there's simply too many people to choose from."

Mark turns to the photo of David wearing his Arasaka Academy uniform together with his mother in her EMT jacket. "They don't even need teachers to run the lessons. What is more important is the character of the future employee, and how they will fit with the company culture. Let me tell you this: the company culture worldwide is undoubtedly rotten to the core. Places like the Arasaka Company, or other education institutions, sole purpose is to mold the minds of people into obedient drones that will act, think, and believe in the garbage the corporation culture demands."

Mark lets Gloria stew on his words for a few moments while taking another sip of his tea. "That's why, at Wube Inc. I want to hire people that didn't forget what morality is, what integrity is. I'm not blind to the realities of this city and the necessities of the population, but I'm trying to extend a hand in goodwill to the people that lives here. It's why I am offering an opportunity to those I trust, and after living near you, seeing the sacrifices you make for your son, I am certain that my decision to hire you won't be misplaced."

Mark slides the agent to Gloria once more. "Please, consider the offer once more, and trust my sincerity."

"I, I suppose I can read it again," Gloria replies with a complex tone of voice. The offer is good, and she wants to believe it, but she also knows that in Night City there's always a catch. "What happens if things don't work out? Joining a newly formed company is a risky move. I can't afford to take risks like that."

Mark nods, knowing that this is a sensible concern. "Did you read the last section of the list?" The last section detailed some of the most common issues during recruitment that he could find, written in advance to cut down on negotiations for the future.

Gloria reads the section and gasps, and Mark knows that he's almost there. One of the clauses details the insurance for those who leave their current jobs for Wube Inc. helping them with their future return to the job market. "Not all of those benefits are offered to everyone, but someone who went to medical school like you fits the criteria."

The mother chews on her lower lip, finally showing signs of temptation to accept the offer. "Can I have a few days to think about the offer? I want to ask my son opinion since this will also impact his life."

"Sure," Mark agrees, "I am still recruiting, so there's still time. My business card has my contact info, or you can knock on my door."

"Wait, if you're a corpo, why are you living in this dump?" Gloria blushes when she realizes what she said.

"I don't care much about where I sleep," Mark answers, "but the pleasant company of your family was a factor for staying. Though I will probably move to the factory grounds soon, I just have some other business to attend here on Megabuilding 04 first."

"I, I see. I will enter in contact with you later, Mr. Henderson."

"Hey, there's no need to be so formal with me, at least outside business hours. Just call me Mark."

"Nova." Gloria takes a deep breath before shoving one of the sweets down, "well, we will be in touch, Mr. Mark. But I must ask you to leave since it's almost time for my shift."

"Sure. Tell David I said 'hi' and ask him if he likes the treats."

Gloria finally relaxes upon hearing the name of her son, "oh, he will love those. I will make sure he thanks you later."

After exchanging farewells, Mark leaves the apartment before bringing his To Do List and crossing one entry and focusing on his next item on the agenda: buying groceries for the burger he owns Yorinobu Arasaka.