I had just finished a six mile jog around Chicago and I open the door to my apartment in the Logan Square neighborhood, tired out of my mind. As soon as I walked in I turned on the light, took my shoes off and started to squeeze the sweat out of my hair before taking out the hair twistee that held my hair back. I made a beeline to my shower to clean myself up. But that was not the only reason I needed a shower, I just handed in my two week notice at work last week and I need some time to reflect on where my life is going right now. After I finished my shower, I just put on some light clothes, laid on my couch and turned on the television to forget my troubles for the week.

I did not live in a large apartment, but I honestly don't care about the size, I just cared that the rent was doable, unlike the places in the Gold Coast. Sure it may not be the most luxurious place out here but this place has good wifi and is a block away from a Blue Line stop, so I'm satisfied. Although if I could change anything, I would repaint the walls because I am starting to get tired of this eggshell white color in my apartment, but I can't do it at the moment since that would be violating my lease and I do not want to be on the business end of one of Mr. Pariseau's rants. I've had the same black couch and cabinet I did at the time I was in grad school with a table between my kitchen and living room.

I then got up from the couch to get my phone off the table in the kitchen and checked my messages. So far, all that I received was one message from my mom to see how I was doing regarding my job search and I just replied "Fine. but still have not heard anything back yet. So far I have applied and sent resumes to seven different places, with absolutely no response yet. With this delay in responses, I am now starting to get nervous and questioning why I got a PhD in the first place. I then decided to try to apply to more places.

Just as I was about to log onto my Linkedin account to check my profile, my phone started ringing. I looked at the screen and it was an unknown number to me, but it had a Chicago area code, so out of curiosity I turned off the TV and answered the phone.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hello, is this Dr. Edwin Mariani?" a voice asked me.

"Yes, this is he, may I help you?"

"Hello Edwin, this is Zazu Hondo from the Field Museum's Human Resources Department, I saw that you submitted application to the Pritzker Genetics Lab a couple of days ago and the department chair thought that your qualifications match what they are looking for and was wondering at what time will you be available for a phone interview with one of our research associates." he said.

"That sounds great, how does Monday at 5:00 PM for the research associate?" I replied.

"That sounds just fine, let me check who is available during that time…ehm-hmm ...okay one of our associates will be available to speak during that time, I will inform them immediately." He said.

"Thank you, it has been a pleasure speaking to you." I replied

"You too, I hope you have a pleasant day. Bye." ["Call ended" appears on screen"]

With that call, I now feel this weight lifted from my chest, perhaps there is some hope for me.

The past two days go on uneventful, though I have been anxiously waiting for the associate from Pritzker Lab to call me back. I began to clean my lab and office since it was one of my last few days working for that damn corporation. Instead of the usual routine I usually do home when getting home to work, I just went to my bedroom waiting for my phone to ring. After half an hour and two false alarms, I heard my phone rang and I immediately placed it on speaker.

"Hi this is Edwin Mariani, how may I help you?", I practically blurted out, and a voice replied,

"Hi Dr. Mariani, this is Bupu Palahala from Field Museum's Pritzker DNA Lab and I just want to ask you a few questions about your interests in the researcher position for our lab."

"Sure Dr. Palahala, I would be happy to answer your questions?"

"Please, just call me Bupu. Okay, first of all, tell me more about yourself."

" Okay, I have been born and raised here in Chicago and ever since I was a kid I have always had a curiosity of the natural world, which eventually took form in a molecular level by the time I was in middle school. I went to a high school in which analytical and discussion-based problem-solving were highly emphasized in our curriculum, and the STEM based curriculum I had there fed my passion for biochemistry. The elements of my high school curriculum came in handy during both my undergraduate and my graduate research experiences. Even with my previous employer, the focus of my research has been within the field of genetics whether it is in evolutionary or medical applications."

"Okay, okay, it seems that you geared yourself towards research for a long time now, now tell me about some of the research experiences that you just mentioned."

"Well I have held several internships throughout my life, starting with research experiences as an undergrad at DePauw University's biochemistry and molecular biology departments, with one experience dealing with altering how biochemistry is taught during the academic year, with other projects involving the investigation of environmental conditions on protein construction at an atomic level as well as determining the effects of environmental conditions on the occurrence of genetic mutations. In one instance, I did a summer internship at the UCLA Torres Lab in investigating the molecular aspects in inheritance patterns of canary species in a specific environment and comparing the results from an experiment on that same ecosystem twenty years prior. While I was at the University of Chicago for grad school, I took part in research investigating the long-term effects of pharmaceutical leakage on the rate of genetic mutation amongst Asian carp populations. My research in the correlation between pharmaceuticals and genetics continued into my time at Genico Pharmaceuticals."

"Okay, I see that you have quite a lengthy research portfolio, certainly more than I expected. Now I would like to know why you have decided to apply to work with us at the Field Museum?"

" Well I applied to the Field Museum's genetics lab because I feel that there are more research opportunities available at the Field Museum to really investigate the origins of certain genetic phenomenon that is present in some species today by studying the genetic patterns amongst different organisms. I also feel that the Pritzker DNA Lab at the Field Museum provides a more thriving environment for a researcher to nurture their inner sense of curiosity because I felt that the environment that I have experienced at Genico Pharmaceuticals seems to be more focused on what research will make the most money instead of genuine interest in the material, and I am now uncomfortable with the environment there and I am hoping that the Field Museum will provide a more collaborative research environment than the one I have recently experienced."

"I can understand where you are coming from, I too had a time in my life in which I felt that I needed a change of environment, then regretted it for a little bit but then got used to it, but that was a long time ago before I came here,and enough about me." Bupu said apprehensively seeming to want to change the subject as quickly as possible.

"Let's just get back to your interview. Okay next question, are you able to work the occasional Saturday or Sunday for any extensive research tasks or emergencies?"

I felt a little suspicious that he changed the subject so quickly but nonetheless I answered his question anyway.

"Okay? Well yes I am certainly flexible about working on the weekends for research purposes."

"That is good to hear, and are you also available to work until nights on some days to assist and participate in long-term projects?"

"Yes I am able to work overnights, there have been times where I have had my fair share of late night shifts. I will make sure to be balanced and well-organized whenever those occasions come up, not to mention every other work day."

"Okay, do you have any questions about the position and its responsibilities?

"Oh yes, since it's May and summer is approaching, will my position involve any interactions with possible interns in the lab?"

"Well yes, we are hosting an undergraduate research experience starting later this month and the position you are applying for does include assisting interns on occasion, I hope this does not pose any problems for you."

"Oh no, not at all, I would love to help the interns out, especially when it comes to teaching them to be familiar with the equipment."

"Well Edwin, it has been a pleasure talking to you! Your application and responses will be evaluated by members of the department and you should get a response in three to four days for a possible formal interview with our department manager."

"Okay, I hope that I hear from you guys again soon."

" I hope to see you soon, you seem like a very organized applicant, and I hope you have a good week."

"Thank you, you too"

"Thank you! Bye!" ["Call Ended" appears on screen]

After that call, I really felt that I have gained some of my self-confidence back today and even when I have applied to other places, I really hope that I get the position at the museum. Although it was still a little suspicious for Bupu to rapidly change the subject in the fourth question, but overall I thought he seemed like a decent guy. Perhaps I can try to talk to him a little more if I get hired. After that, I just microwaved some leftover pasta from last night and just watched some reruns that were on TV that night. Sometimes I wish my life was a sitcom, so that any of my problems can be solved in 30 minutes, but I know that is a long way from reality.

After it was almost ten, I decided to call it a night and try to get a good night sleep to help me navigate my last few days with Genico for a hopefully better job in the future.

Author's Note: Hello Readers, this is my first FanFic ever! After reading and doing research on The Lion King/Lion Guard franchaise, I decide to make a Fanfic that combines the science fiction, workplace comedy, romance and adventure drama. At first it may seem like a boring workplace story, but things will take a sudden turn after the first six chapters. The first couple of chapters will act as a background before the main conflict sets in. Some of the locations are real but all the characters in this story are fictional