Why Not?

When it rains, it pours.

I sent out a few applications last December to test out my marketability. I was not disappointed. First to arrive was an invitation from my mother unit. It read:

Dear Tristan,

We are happy to inform you that you were selected as one of the candidates for the short list for the above referenced position. During the following week, we will be conducting interviews of the candidates in the short list. Please advise if you will be available for a panel interview by video conference on [insert date] at [insert time], (Manila time). Appreciate it if you could please confirm your availability at your earliest convenience. Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

A week later, I received another one from the office police unit. I read this email while I was on the phone with someone.

Dear Mr. Tristan Tan,

Thank you for your application and expression of interest in the position of Senior Slave. I am very pleased to inform you that you have been short-listed for that position. I will be contacting you shortly to schedule your interview with the Interview Panel.

Congratulations and best regards.

Today, I received another invitation from a dfiferent unit, somewhere. The job would require me to deal with twink welfare, in general.

Dear Mr. Tristan Tan,

I am pleased to inform you that the short-listing committee has recommended you for interview for the position of Senior Slave in the Twinks unit. The large time difference makes things a bit awkward, but will you be available for a telephone interview on [insert date and time], Manila time? Please let me know as soon as possible.

With my very best wishes.

I informed my seatmate of the latest development. She was extremely delighted to hear the good news. I was barely smiling.

"O bakit parang hindi ka masaya?", she asked.

"I am happy... it's just that...", I tried to explain.

"Tristan, you can't have it all..."

I smiled at her, took a deep breath and went off to lunch thinking:

"Why can't I have it all?"