I've talked to so many people now, I've been flat out rejected multiple times already or have just gotten the question to leave my phone number there so they can maybe call me.
That last part is a start at least, but it feels like I will never find another job.
Should I start looking for a box to live in?

From the corner of my eye I suddenly notice an old lady struggling with her groceries, less than a second later, they roll around over the sidewalk.
With a speed faster than I could imagine I rush besides her and start helping with gathering.
"Oh, thank you young man." She says to me in a kind voice.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I think the bag is broken."
"Ah..." She sighs sadly.
"Do you need to take these far from here? I can help you carry them, I've got nothing better to do anyway."
"Thank you, it's not so far, it's somewhere on that street over there." She points her finger in the direction of a small, empty alleyway.
It looks a bit creepy, but even so, if she ends up getting mugged, at least I should be able to protect her.
I nod to signal her that I will help and we start taking the groceries down the dark alley.
After a couple of minutes we arrive at an old bookstore, it looks rather old fashioned, but even so it's very beautiful.

"It's in here." The lady says as she enters the building.
I follow closely.
There are old shelves reaching the high ceiling with dusty books lined up in them, the floor is made of wooden planks covered by a soft red carpet. I can smell the books.
Is this what a Victorian era library would have looked like?
In the middle there is an old counter, with an just as ancient looking cash register on it.

"Ah, Margret, what took you so long?" A lady in her forties appears from behind one of the bookcases, she places some of the books she was holding on the counter and starts helping us with the bags.
"My bag broke, but this young man here helped me bring them anyway." She smiles at me, a thankful smile.
I smile back: "It's no problem, I had nothing better to do anyway."
Margret suddenly asks me as if she already knows: "I've seen you wander about the city a couple of times today, no bags, meaning you aren't here to buy something. For visiting someone you know, you went into too many different stores. What is it you're looking for, my child?"
Her eyes betray that she already knows, she just wants me to spell it out. Has she been stalking me?
"I recently lost my job ma'am, so I'm looking for a new one."
"You hear that Katherine! Isn't it time for you to hire someone new?" She laughs loudly towards the other woman.

"Well..."Katherine seems hesitant, she seems to be scanning me with her eyes from head to toe, making me slightly uncomfortable. Then  she looks back at Margret: "I do need someone new, but you know how difficult it is, with... you know."
"Come on Katherine, he seems like he would be doing fine in a store like this."
I do?
"Katherine sighs in defeat: "Fine, though he has to surpass the test first."