THE E.D.-middle aged woman with short hair, well put together, stiff and terse
PROGRAM MANAGER- slightly younger man or woman, more informally dressed, works under the Executive Director, feigns interest but had more of an attitude
ALICE LATE- at 25 the youngest of them all, over dressed compared to the other two, visibly nervous, trying to seem competent, serious, honest, attentive, experienced, good humored, and more.
SETTING
A small room without windows lit by fluorescent lights, which contains a small round table surrounded by three chairs, in two of which sit the THE E.D. and PROGRAM MANAGER. They are looking through documents spread out on the table. Stage left of the room, as if separated by a wall, is the lobby where ALICE sits waiting in one of the three chairs preparing for the interview.
THE E.D.
Well, what did you think of that last one? More legal experience than anything else, but certainly a dedicated volunteer and supporter.
(Hearing these words, ALICE looks up from her notebook and looks around. The rest of the lobby and office is empty. She is puzzled. Is she hearing her interviewers?)
PROGRAM MANAGER
Yes, I agree. She has been attending nearly all our community meetings and rallies, and I really appreciate that she has so much life experience. I prefer that to one of these 23 year olds right out of college with maybe one or two years of work experience.
.
(ALICE slides into the chair closest to the other room and cranes her neck, straining to pick up every word of the conversation. With each sentence she becomes more and more agitated.)
THE E.D.
Indeed. Well, do you think we should still call a few of the other people in? I mean, is it necessary, or have we found our woman?
PROGRAM MANAGER
Well, Ma’am, wait. We still have one more appointment scheduled today. For right now, in fact. The candidate is probably waiting in the lobby.
THE E.D.
Ah, shit - excuse me. I forgot all about that one. Pass me her information. (She looks disapprovingly down at a piece of paper and sighs.) All right, call her in and we’ll go through the questions, but lets try to make this one quick.
PROGRAM MANAGER
Alice Late! (ALICE springs out of her chair and runs over to the table)
THE E.D.
(stands up, flashes a quick forced smile, and shakes hands with ALICE)
Hello, welcome, please sit down, I am The E.D., this is Program Manager, we will both be asking you questions. Lets get started. What does citizen participation mean to you?
ALICE LATE
Umm, well, citizen participation is when the members of a community are educated and involved in decision making about government services and other things that affect their lives. I think this participation is extremely necessary in a functional democracy…And, um, it’s extremely important to me.
(There is a long, awkward pause as the THE E.D. stares hard at ALICE and the PROGRAM MANAGER scribbles down her response in black ink and then takes a red pen and puts an X next to the response. ALICE notices the X. After each of ALICE’s responses PROGRAM MANAGER repeats this action.)
THE E.D.
Right. What is your communication style and do you feel comfortable around others and what have been your experiences dealing with conflict and what challenges are there and what recommendations do you have?
ALICE LATE
Umm, that’s a tough question. I, I think I am pretty direct and I feel comfortable collaborating with people from all kinds of diverse backgrounds who have very different communication styles from myself and, well… conflict resolution, well, yes, I have experience handling some difficult people, so--
THE E.D.
You didn’t really answer that question, but we will move on. Program Manager, go ahead.
PROGRAM MANAGER
How do you deal with stress, and relax and enjoy yourself in your free time and what does your intimate partner think of this organization’s mission and you working in this neighborhood?
ALICE LATE
(Thrown off by the odd question, stumbling to respond.)
Oh, umm, well, I, to relax I watch movies, educational documentaries of course, and I write…My boyfriend? He is supportive. He is also very dedicated to social justice so…
(Both PROGRAM MANAGER and THE E.D. seem unimpressed by this answer. THE ED gives ALICE a tight smile.)
PROGRAM MANAGER
Uh huh. If you were any animal in the great animal kingdom what would you be?
ALICE LATE
(More confused and unsure of herself.)
Huh. Uh, maybe a bird? Like a hawk or a pigeon. No, no a dove, because, um, they can fly and are a symbol of peace.
THE E.D.
(Pushes her chair back from the table, frustrated by this answer)
But what does the dove contribute? And what makes you think you, as a dove, could fit in to a jungle full of cheetahs and hippos and crocodiles? Can doves really understand and bring together such diverse, robust animals, animals so unpredictable?
ALICE LATE
(Stunned into silence for a moment)
Yes. I mean, because doves fly all over the world, they see life from above and learn from that and they have seen first hand--
THE E.D.
Ok, that’s enough. I would like you to do a role play. You are trying to recruit Program Manager here, who will play a member of the community, to come to meeting, while also being informative about our organization’s work. Imagine you are knocking on her door and she answers. Go!
ALICE LATE
Ok, hi, my name is Alice. Are you interested in learning about--
PROGRAM MANAGER
No, I am not interested. I’m busy. I am not buying anything from you.
ALICE LATE
I’m not selling anything. I am from a local community organization and I wanted to invite you to join us--
PROGRAM MANAGER
Lady, I said I am busy and I meant it! I’ve got four kids and three jobs. Why don’t you leave me alone!
ALICE LATE
I don’t mean to bother you, but we really need the involvement of people like you to make this campaign success—
PROGRAM MANAGER
Listen you fat white bitch, didn’t you hear me? I said no, so fuck off!
ALICE LATE
(Dropping her role-play character)
Oh my goodness. I think maybe I am talking to the wrong person. Was this how it was supposed to go? I was trying to bring her out, you know, to--
THE E.D.
Program Manager may have gotten a bit carried away, but you really have to be ready to think on your feet in such situations. The members of this community face great challenges in life.
PROGRAM MANAGER
Do you have any customer service experience? That would help you. My sister works at Borders, and I hear they are hiring. Maybe you should apply.
ALICE LATE
Oh, um, thanks, I guess, but, I am hoping to get a job here.
PROGRAM MANAGER
Yeah, right. Here is our final question. We work with people from a variety of different religions, many are devout Catholics. What religion are you? Do you regularly attend church? Do you pray?
ALICE LATE
(Taken a back again)
I, um, well I was raised--
THE E.D.
It’s illegal to ask that question, PROGRAM MANAGER. Let’s move on. Well, do you have any questions for us?
(Pause as ALICE looks through her notes to try to find the questions she prepared.)
THE E.D.
(shaking ALICE’s hand and ushering her out with another tight smile)
No? Ok, then we should be contacting you by the end of next week. Very nice to meet you, thank you for your time, good luck in your continued search, the door is that way.
ALICE LATE
Nice to meet you both.
(Moving toward the door and then turning to see THE E.D. throw her resume in the trash.)
Thank you. Thank you for your consideration.
