Reference Required
Samira Olt has found a job she actually wants. The problem is that the application system requires verification from an employer that ceased to exist nineteen years ago. At Central Exchange she meets a case officer who knows that rules sometimes survive only because no one has had time to kill them.
A fictional narrative within Callizto Dark Symphony.
Samira’s old employer no longer existed.
Its reference requirement did.
“The system wants a verified contact,” the case officer said.
“The company was liquidated.”
“I can see that.”
“The owner is dead.”
“I can see that too.”
“The building is a gym.”
The case officer looked up.
“I can’t see that.”
“It’s a fairly good gym.”
They sat in the Central Exchange service office beneath a sign assuring visitors that normal waiting time was eighteen minutes.
Samira had been there for fifty-six.
The job was in warehouse planning.
She had experience. Good experience.
But her eleven years at a transport company had been migrated from an older employment register with the status:
EMPLOYMENT CLAIM — HISTORICAL, UNVERIFIED.
Approved Public Gateway would not accept the record for the security classification the job required.
“Do you have payroll records?” the case officer asked.
Samira produced a folder.
He looked impressed.
“Paper?”
“My mother.”
“Wise woman.”
“She didn’t trust digital bookkeeping.”
“Less wise, but useful today.”
They went through fourteen payslips.
One staff letter.
Two old tax certificates.
A photograph from a holiday dinner that proved nothing except that Samira had once owned a very ugly sweater.
The case officer opened a manual review case.
“It takes five working days.”
“The application closes tonight.”
He looked at the clock.
Then at her.
“Do you have thirty minutes?”
“I’ve already given you fifty-six.”
He called the archive.
Twenty-eight minutes later, Samira’s historical employment status changed to VERIFIED VIA SECONDARY EVIDENCE.
She stood up.
“Thank you.”
“Next time, choose employers that intend to survive.”
“I’ll ask at the interview.”
He handed her his card.
“Don’t.”
Samira submitted the application from the bench outside the office.
Two weeks later, she got the job.
Three months later, she passed the same service office and saw the case officer behind the desk.
She went over.
“I took the job.”
He looked up.
“Congratulations.”
“The company promises at least five years of solvency.”
“Then we’ve made progress.”
Mentioned in this record
- Approved Public Gateway
- Forge City Civic Network