«What are you doing?» asked Eleanor, watching as her husband tucked a note with his phone number under the windscreen wiper of the car hed just bumped while reversing.
«Leaving my details so they can call me. I have to make this right.»
«Why? Its pitch black, no one saw,» she whispered, glancing around. «This isnt even our neighbourhoodlets just drive off.»
«Thats not the right thing to do. What if someone hit *us* and drove away?»
«Look at this car! Its worth more than our flat. That dent is nothing to them!»
«No, I cant. I just cant.»
They climbed back into their car, and William carefully pulled out of the estate.
«How are you going to pay for the repairs? Weve got nothingjust a few measly pounds, half of which is going on the new rent,» Eleanor pressed.
«My new job pays well. Ill pay it back within a yearwe wont even notice,» William reassured her, following the sat-navs route.
«You havent even started yet, and youre already in debt,» she muttered, staring at the unfamiliar houses outside. «I *told* you your honesty would get us into trouble. Well end up on the streets at this rate. You cant be like this, understand?»
William stayed silent.
Half an hour later, as the sun rose behind the rooftops, they arrived at the rental flat, where the landlord was waiting.
«Just the two of you, correct?» asked the meticulous-looking man in a suit after theyd viewed the place. Sitting at the kitchen table, hed already begun drafting the lease.
«And a cat,» William added. Eleanor rolled her eyes.
«A cat?» The landlord frowned. «Your wife didnt mention a pet.»
Eleanor wanted the ground to swallow her, burning with embarrassment.
«I wouldnt have rented to you if Id known,» the man said, setting down his pen.
He hesitated, making the couple fidget, then finally relented.
«Alright, you seem decent, and youve come all this way. Ill raise the rent by a hundred a monthfor potential pet-related incidentsand you can move in.»
«I dont think» Eleanor began, but William cut in.
«We agree. Sorry for not mentioning it earlier.»
«Done, then,» the landlord smiled, finishing the contract.
***
«Why did you tell him about the cat? I left him in the car on purpose!» Eleanor hissed once the landlord had gone.
«We cant lie. Its dishonest,» William protested, unpacking their things.
«Oh, but paying an extra grand a year is honest?» she snapped, tossing her clothes onto the bed. «I love that youre open, but there have to be *limits*!»
«At least weve got a place. Dont worry, Ill earn it back with the new job.»
«Yeah, *if* you get it. With your honesty, no ones hiring you as a regional manager. They want smooth talkers who can spin a yarnnot someone whod overpay a coffee machine if it charged him extra by mistake.»
«You think I wont get it?» William looked stricken, setting his mug down so clumsily it shattered on the tiled floor, cracking one of the tiles.
«We could hide it under a rug and say nothing. But youd rather pay to fix it, wouldnt you?» she shot back.
William nodded guiltily.
«You wont get it,» she said firmly.
«What do I do, then?» He slumped onto a stool, feeling like a failure.
This job was the whole reason theyd movedto save for a mortgage, start a family.
«Show them you can bend when you have to. Learn to spin a tale. Everyone lies.»
William nodded grimly. He knew people took advantage of his honesty. Maybe it *was* time to change. The interview would be his chance.
«Fine. Youre right. Ill do it.»
***
At the interview, William was flawless. His degree and references spoke for themselves. The director nodded approvingly at every answer. The job was his.
«Based on this, youre perfect for the role,» the director smiled, setting aside the form. «Just one last question. Would you go the extra mile for the companyeven if it meant bending the truth for profit?»
«Pardon?» William blinked.
«Could you spin a yarn if it benefited the firm? Act lets say, *flexibly*?»
The directors stare made Williams stomach knot. He wanted to say *no*but remembered Eleanors advice.
«Easy. No problem at all,» he said coolly, crossing his legs. He had this.
«Youre not the right fit. Goodbye.»
Williams heart dropped.
«Wh-what? Why?»
«We value honesty here. Were not some fly-by-night operation. One shady deal isnt worth ruining our reputation.»
«ButI misunderstood! I *never* liegive me another chance!»
«So you can spin me another tale? No thanks. We dont need liars.»
Defeated, William left.
His world had crumbled. Hed failed Eleanorand himself. All hed needed to do was stay true.
***
«Yeah, I got it. Dont worry,» William lied when Eleanor called.
*If Im spinning tales now, why stop?* Hed fake going to work until he found something. Maybe things would work out.
Then an unknown number rang.
«Hello. About the car you hitcome sort it out,» said a mans voice.
Williams stomach lurched. Hed forgotten about the dent. There went their savings.
Arriving at the address, he numbly called the owner.
Five minutes later, the last person he expected stepped outthe director whod rejected him.
«Well, well. You again,» the man said, amused. «Whyd you ding my wifes car?»
«It was dark, I didnt»
«Spinning another yarn?»
«No. Ill pay for it.»
«With what? Youre unemployed.»
«Ill manage.»
«Good. Ill deduct it from your wages.»
«My *wages*?»
«Consider this your second chance. We need honest people. But one thingwhy lie at the interview?»
«Everyone lies. Sometimes its harmless,» William echoed Eleanors words.
«Only if it helps without hurting anyone. We use that approach here, actually.»
«How?»
«Ill explain laterif you take the job,» the director winked, extending his hand.
He had no plans to deduct anythingthe insurance would cover it. But William wouldnt learn that for a year.
