Jesse Houlihan took a deep breath and walked into the room where the eager Harvard law graduates waited for their name to be called. He tried to make his face look more confident than it felt, but he could already feel his hands sweating from the nervousness. Jesse took one of the seats and tried to calm himself as he waited his turn. He knew he was one of the last on the list.
He observed the beautiful redheaded secretary call the names one by one. She was wearing a blue dress that appeared to be from a store that he couldn't even afford to buy a pair of socks from. The magnitude of the moment thrilled and terrified Jesse. He was finally going to prove that he could survive in the new country. His cousins back in Ireland used to scoff at him and his dreams of leaving for America and going to Harvard to become a lawyer. He grew up in the Irish countryside but dreamed of the big city and especially New York City. To his childlike mind NYC was like the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.
But now he was really living it! Mam would be so proud. If only she were here to see it he thought glumly but quickly pushed the thought away. He couldn't let those thoughts affect him. Focus on right now
"Jesse Houlihan" , the secretary said rousing him from his thoughts. He stood up and walked into the interview his head held high and hoping for the best
The infamous Harvey Specter sat in his office exhausted from interviewing cookie-cutter Harvard drones with no personality. Sometimes he wished that Jessica would waive the Harvard rule. Yeah, the kids were smart, but they had little critical thinking skills. He believed that they'd probably do fine if life was like a textbook, and everything always went according to plan. But the real world wasn't like that it often threw you a curveball. He wanted to see a candidate who would be able to think on their feet quickly if disaster struck because it would.
The next candidate walked in, a tall, very thin young man with curly, brown hair and eyes. Harvey immediately noticed his tie and to his amusement he thought of how much better a taste in ties he had. He knew the kid had to be in his 20s, but he looked very young for his age, almost like a teenager.
"Jesse Houlihan", the kid said holding out his hand. He had a very distinct accent; he thinks its Irish. "Harvey Specter", he said taking the hand," do you mind if I ask where you're from?" The kid's eyes registered a tiny bit of surprise, but he hid it well. "Ireland", Jesse responded. They then started the interview
A few minutes in Harvey had decided the young Irishman was the one, but he finished the interview to be fair. He sprung a few hypotheticals on him and asked how he would respond which he did rapidly in his lilting Irish brogue. The kid told him he had come to the US alone at 18 and paid his way through college. He was impressed and respected someone who didn't have mommy and daddy do everything. He seemed enthusiastic almost puppy like. He decided to end it
"Alright Jesse I think that's enough congratulations you're the new associate" he said. The look of shock and elation on Jesse's face was almost comical. "I start today?!", he asked excitedly. Harvey guffawed, "No kiddo tomorrow!", he replied with amusement. "Hurry on home be here at eight' o clock sharp or you're fired!", he exclaimed. The kid quickly ran out the door, and past Mike who happened to be walking in with documents Harvey needed. "Hey Harvey got these briefs you needed wait did you just threaten to fire your brand-new associate if he's late?", with an amused twinkle in his eye. "How did you know?", Harvey asked with an eyebrow raised. Before Mike could answer, Donna walked in. "Me and him listened on the intercom."
"Donna", Harvey said in exasperation.
"Oh, come on we only listened in on the end!"
"Mike you may have had your title taken away I think the new kid is more of a puppy than you", Harvey said to Mike who rolled his eyes. "I have to see this to believe it", Donna said amusedly.
Jesse's heart didn't stop pounding until the cab got home to his apartment building. He could scarcely believe it. He had really done it! He had made it in the Big Apple and proven all the naysayers back home wrong! He hoped his boyfriend was home so he could share the big news. He let out a sigh as he thought of how his father reacted when he came out as gay. He didn't react well and that was putting it mildly. He had in fact disowned him. He put those ugly thoughts away as he approached the door of his apartment and took out his key. He opened the door and to find the 6-foot 5 frame of his boyfriend by the stove stirring a boiling pot of pasta. "I got it James!", Jesse yelled excitedly. " That's great babe", he yelled back using his muscular arms to pull Jesse into a bear hug. "I knew you could do it!", he said giving Jesse a big kiss. "I'm making pasta we're celebrating tonight!", he exclaimed.
Later, the two were talking over dinner and James asked Jesse who had interviewed him. "Hhaha that pretty boy douchebag Harvey Specter hahah!" James gave him a slightly jealous look and Jesse immediately started to reassure him. He knew James had a jealous streak. "Oh come on Jamie you're being silly I love you. I could never go out with that douche no matter how good looking he is. And you're better looking."
"I am? ", James asked seductively. Jesse laughed gave him a kiss and the two went to the bedroom.
Jesse's alarm clock went off at 5:30 sharp. James stirred slightly but went back to sleep. By 7:00 he was in a cab on the way to work. Normally he'd take the subway, but he was too nervous to be late on his first day. He was extremely excited for his new job. Money wouldn't be as much of a worry anymore. James was starting residency after just finishing medical school so he wouldn't be earning a high salary for quite a few years.
At long last, the cab finally arrived at his building. Jesse walked past the doorman and took the elevator up to his floor and the rest of his life. `
