Offer

Sorry for the delay.  I take full responsibility.

 

You’re ushered back into the conference room in which you met with Col. Hodgeson before.  You wait a few minutes, and then he enters.

“Gentlemen, you’ve had a close look at our operation.  I hope you’re still interested.  As I’m sure you can imagine we need to keep what we do here top secret.  You are not allowed to ever talk about what you saw here with anyone outside this facility.  Not that anyone would ever believe you, but if you were to disclose even the existence of our operation the consequences would be severe.  One former recruit wrote a book about us. Before it was ever published he was found with child pornography on his computer and is currently doing time in a particularly unpleasant prison.  There is no threat so long as you don’t breach our security.”

“We contract with initial recruits for five missions, which are completed some time within a three year span.  You’ll each be paid $100,000 per mission, and you can terminate the contract early (but not in mid-mission for obvious reasons).  An additional $20,000 will be paid at the end of your training period.  We routinely deposit this money in offshore accounts, to be disbursed slowly and not raise eyebrows. In the event you die or go missing, a designated next of kin will receive a one million dollar settlement (through a surpsie life insurance contract).”

“Here’s what we’ve come up with for your cover stories:

Mac, you’ve just been offered a job with Haliburton working in a galley in the Green Zone in Iraq.  Tell your family that it’s a lucrative offer and you’re considering it.  In two weeks an agent will contact you to see if you’re still interested.  Let us know if you’re in or if you’re out.

Larry, your situation is a bit more tricky.  In two weeks you’re going to be arrested for possession of the material to cook methamphetamine.  While you’re awaiting trial you’ll be contacted by an agent as well.  If you are in let the agent know and the judge will offer you a choice: 3 years in prison or 3 years in the Air Force.  Choose the   and your training will start.  If you are out, your Miranda rights card will be lost and your public defender will get you off of the charges.”

“I do hope that you consider working for us.  If not, I wish you well.  We’ll provide transportation back home.”

“Any questions?”