"I'm sorry," the paralegal told Shinobu. "But if you don't have the qualifications, we can't hire you."

Shinobu blinked. "Right so, let me get this straight. You listed this as an entry-level job."

"Yeah."

"And you want candidates who have 10 years of experience."

"Exactly."

Silence. Shinobu sunk back in her seat, massaging her forehead. Some very colorful words danced on the tip of her tongue, restrained only by her immense self-control. She took a deep breath.

"Sir," she said, "Entry-level jobs usually don't require 10 years of experience."

He scowled. "Well, paralegal work is different."

"Graduates apply for entry-level jobs," she said. "Do you expect a graduate to have that much experience?"

"Sure, they can do internships. Anyone can start working whenever they like. Even an infant can begin work as soon as they leave the womb, just like me and my son."

He took a photograph from his wallet showing a newborn baby reading legal briefs.

"Cute, isn't he?" said the paralegal. "He's investing in his Roth IRA. He'll have a lifetime's worth of savings before he hits retirement."

She scratched the back of her head. "Um, yes, very cute. But not everyone can be like that."

"Please, that's a defeatist attitude. Anyone can do anything with hard work (and a generous inheritance from their wealthy parents). I'm sorry, but I don't think that attitude will serve you well in life. Now, if we're done here, I must ask you to leave."

"There's something I still don't understand," said Shinobu "How is this an entry-level job?"

"Because," he said, "it's at the lowest level of employment hierarchy and doesn't include employee benefits."

"Okay, why would someone with 10 years of experience accept that?"

"Simple," he replied, "We all have to get our foot in the door somehow."