OKAY

Claudia looked at Ernest; Ernest looked at Claudia. They both nodded, as if their brain wavelengths were the same, as if they knew exactly what would transpire.

"I want to make it clear that we are an organization that first and foremost helps people," Claudia stressed. "In any way, shape or form that we can. You are taking small steps, Miss Yaris; and that's good, everyone needs to start somewhere. But there's more than just runaways that need your attention. No, across the world there's slavery, abuse, all sorts of evils that should not exist. Children forced to fight in wars they cannot fully understand. People who dream of fortune and run away to chase it but get caught up in schemes that attempt to exploit their bodies."

She stopped to breathe in, then out. "Do you understand, Miss Yaris? You have the idealism and energy for such a young girl to take this job, this desire to help others." Her gaze became somewhat permeating, her voice more assured. "But...is this desire enough? No, no, I think I misphrased that. Would you, given the chance, even if the odds are stacked against you, even if you were at risk of dying, to help these people as well? Of your own volition?"

Claudia paused, letting those words echo in the orange ambience. Ernest nodded, "hmm"-ing.

"I...seem to have gone overboard," she concluded.

Yaris spaced out after the talk about slavery, abuse, death, wars....
She snapped out of it when Claudia finished speaking. "No, no, it's..." Yaris was overwhelmed. "Well, it sounds more dangerous than I'd first thought." She laughed a little bit, which compared to earlier on, just sounded like loud breathing. "But ya know, I'm tough!" Feeling braver again already, she continued. "I'd say I'm cool for this. I couldn't just let someone else die if I'm just eating pastries -which are super tasty, by the way- so, if I have the chance I'd help them. I don't really want to die but, well, I might not die, I probably will help lots of people before I die. And the people who I helped won't die." She grinned at how cool that just sounded, even though she was not sure if she would be too afraid when she actually came to a dangerous situation. But, she hid her doubts. She'd see if she'd be too afraid when she was actually in a dangerous situation.

To Claudia, Yaris was trying her hardest to be optimistic and brave. The girl had an incredible amount of passion, but, as Claudia had stated before, Yaris needed to put that to the test.

Ernest noticed Claudia's reflective gaze towards the interviewee. "Claudia? Should we..."

"Yes, Ernest," Claudia interrupted, not breaking her gaze. "Miss Yaris, I apologize. I should have been more sensitive to a girl of your age. Still, I felt it relevant to speak about it so. We help everyone, anytime, anywhere we can. And before I get even further..."

On cue, Ernest drew from his pants pocket a small, rectangular device of blue gloss, similar to the era's cellphones. An orange button could be seen etched bottom center on one of the surfaces.

"Miss Yaris," Claudia said, pointing at the device in Ernest's hand, "this is a Wave Communicator. When we give this to you, you will have unlimited access to global events processed throughout the Franchise's newsfeed, as well as the locations of all our official institutions, transport systems, and other freelancers. You may receive this right now to clear the last step between you and your new job, or you can simply decline and come back when you're ready.

"If you do accept, please be assured that you don't have to tackle the really hard missions. Everyone has to start small, like you have. But if not...that's up to you. The Franchise has open arms for all regardless of their skill level, but the drive to help others...that's what counts." Claudia nodded, finally smiling again. That was enough idealistic rapport from her; it was up to the interviewee to decide what came next.