Justin’s roommate, Ben, quickly extricated his key from the door lock.  “So how’d the interview go, man?”

Justin stared silently into a mostly-drained bottle of beer.  The remains of several others lay scattered around him on the wood floor of the small living room.

Ben strode energetically into the room, turning his back on the bay window to face Justin.   “C’mon, tell me about it!  You get an offer?”

“Don’ wanna talk about it.”

“Huh ?  Why not?”

“It was…it was awful.”

 Ben gave him a sympathetic look.  “What, did you forget everything you wanted to say?  Couldn’t answer the questions?”

Justin picked at the label of his beer bottle.  Realizing his roommate wasn’t going to let up until he said something, he took a breath.  “The guy turned out to be a monster,” he said in a quiet voice.

Ben paused.  When he spoke next, his voice was also more subdued.  “That’s a pretty strong conclusion to come to on the basis of one interview, buddy.  Anyway, most people put their best foot forward in an interview, and…”

Justin snorted.  “Yeah, well this…this whatever-he-was…put about a dozen of his feet forward.  They didn’t look very good to me!”

“What?!”

Justin stiffened.  “How about five eyes, and a giant slobbering mouth? With pieces of people stuck to his teeth!  Is THAT enough of a monster for you??!!” Justin's face burned scarlet, with ivory-rimmed eyes bulging from their sockets.

Ben recoiled.  “Justin, did you get stoned before your interview?”  He leaned down and peered into his friend’s eyes.  “What in the goddam hell are you on?”

“Get outta my face.”

“No, man, I don’t think I should!  You got a problem you gotta deal with!”  Ben wheeled and paced across the narrow room, then back again, like an agitated cat.  “Getting stoned out of your mind for an interview?  Especially that one!  What’s wrong with you, buddy?”

He stopped short and threw up his hands in bafflement.  “Most people would give an arm and a leg to work for a company like that!”