Smitha walked into the café with a newfound confidence—this first interview had the potential to change her entire world.

A year ago, she had graduated with a journalism degree from a prestigious university, brimming with aspirations. However, the harsh reality of the job market hit her hard when she stepped into the real world. With no promising job offers on the horizon, she moved to the quaint town of Chandrabrook Hollow, where she secured a steady part-time job. This income allowed her to live modestly while dedicating ample time to her true passion: writing.

Though her blog wasn’t a revenue generator, it attracted enough followers to keep her motivated. One fine day, she received an unexpected email from a recruiter, inviting her to interview with a newspaper. This surprising call reignited Smitha’s hopes; she had almost given up on her dreams due to the frustration of her job search.

Determined not to let this opportunity slip away, she attended the interviews and ultimately succeeded in landing the job. The position offered great pay, the office was conveniently located in Chandrabrook Hollow, eliminating the need for a move. However, there was a stringent confidentiality clause and most intriguingly, her preliminary research revealed no information about the organization—adding an air of mystery to her new role.

All Smitha knew were three names: Liora, her soon-to-be manager; Ayisha, another peer who had interviewed her; and Laura from the Maximoff Recruiting Agency. Arriving early at the office, she found it nestled in a small building right opposite a mattress showroom. She recognized the showroom’s owner, Ayush; she had purchased a mattress from him when she first moved to Chandrabrook Hollow.

Surprisingly, she had never noticed this modest office before. It seemed to blend seamlessly into the town’s landscape. Instead of stepping into her new workplace, she decided to visit the mattress showroom, hoping to strike up a conversation with Ayush.

“Hi, Ayush!” Smitha greeted him cheerfully.

“Hey, Smitha! It’s a surprise to see you here this early. Is everything alright with the mattress?” he asked.

“Oh no, the mattress is perfect,” she laughed. “Actually, I’ve just joined The Perpetual Press as a journalist. Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other now.” She leaned in with a mischievous smile. “By the way, I want to impress my boss on the first day. What’s Liora like?”

“Oh, you mean the tall one with the long dark hair?” Ayush thought for a moment. “I don’t know much about her. I’ve seen her grab black coffee from the other shop a few times, and she’s always been very friendly. We’ve had a few chats, but, honestly, I know next to nothing about her.”

“Ah, I see…” Smitha replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Then she glanced at her watch. “Oh, look at the time! I’d better get going. Bye, Ayush! Have a great day!” She hurried off before Ayush could even reply.

The office was yet to open, and unsure of what to do, Smitha waited in the empty reception area. When the clock struck nine, a tall woman with long black hair entered, glancing at Smitha with a questioning look.

“Hi! You must be Liora. I’m Smitha, the new joinee,” Smitha said. She got up, extending her hand in greeting.

“Nice to meet you,” Liora responded, shaking her hand. “It was a pleasure interviewing you. I’m glad you remembered me. Come in with me; let’s get you started.” She motioned for Smitha to follow and pulled a large key from her handbag to unlock the office door.

Smitha trailed behind Liora as they entered the office. It was a spacious area with modern décor, bustling with people who had already arrived. Liora led her into a room labeled “Editor.” She sat down first, then gestured for Smitha to take the seat opposite her.

“I didn’t realize there were people already working behind the locked doors,” Smitha remarked, hoping to break the ice.

“That’s because we all work in different time zones,” Liora explained. “Everyone has a key, but no one is allowed to make a duplicate.”

‘That is seems odd,’ Smitha thought to herself. She never expected everyone to carry an giant key with her all times.

Liora leaned back in her chair and continued, her tone steady but with an air of mystery. “We’re not just any publishing house, Smitha. The Perpetual Press caters to a very specific audience—species with long lifespans. Immortals, beings who live far beyond the human timeline.”

Smitha’s brows furrowed in confusion. Before she could ask what Liora meant, Liora waved her hand through the air. In an instant, the bustling office shifted. Creatures Smitha hadn’t noticed before—humanoid but distinctly not human—now became visible, going about their work as if nothing had changed. Some had elongated limbs, others had eyes that gleamed unnaturally, and a few appeared almost ethereal, their movements fluid and graceful, as though they barely touched the ground.

Smitha stared, wide-eyed and stunned. “What… are they?” she whispered.

“They’re part of our team,” Liora said calmly. “Each one from a different realm, all united by the same purpose—to gather and report stories across time and space. This is the real Perpetual Press.“

Smitha’s heart raced, but she remained quiet, absorbing this astonishing reality.

“There’s something else you need to understand,” Liora continued, her expression serious. “You are not permitted to speak of this outside the office. It’s a strict confidentiality agreement—no exceptions. And, if the day comes when you decide to leave us, your memories of everything related to The Perpetual Press will be wiped clean. You’ll remember none of this.”

Smitha blinked in disbelief. “Wiped? Completely?”

“Yes,” Liora nodded. “But don’t worry, we’ll make sure you leave with a glowing reference letter.” She smiled, though it carried a weight Smitha couldn’t yet fully grasp.

Smitha felt a chill, both fascinated and slightly unnerved by the world she had just stepped into. “What if I don’t want to take this job?” she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

“Then, we wipe your memories and send you on your way,” Liora replied, her tone matter-of-fact.

Smitha’s heart skipped a beat. “Why me? I’m just… human,” she said, her confusion deepening.

“It’s because you’re a good journalist,” Liora explained, her gaze steady. “Immortals rarely take up jobs, especially ones tied to journalism. We’ve found that humans, with their unique perspective and curiosity, are better suited for this kind of work. And since we live among humans, it’s valuable to have your insight.”

Smitha leaned forward, her mind racing with more questions. “Are there other humans working in this office?” she pressed.

“Yes,” Liora replied calmly. “Ayisha, your other interviewer, is human. And Suman, whom you haven’t met yet, is as well. They’ll be part of your team for now.”

Smitha took a deep breath, her nerves slowly settling. It was a lot to take in, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was exactly where she was meant to be, even if the world around her was far more mysterious than she’d ever imagined. “I won’t be able to stand up against mysterious beings. How can I be a journalist who gives a voice to the weak?” she asked.

“That’s the best part,” Liora said, with an air of nonchalance. “We immortals aren’t weak. Just bored.” She sighed, glancing at the clock. “This is getting long, and I’m a busy woman.”

Smitha hesitated, sensing Liora’s growing impatience.

“You’re still on probation,” Liora added, cutting the conversation short. “This is your first task. There’s a man named Eldrin waiting for you at Lavonne Café down the street. Be sure to interview him about the last 2,000 years of his life.”

Smitha blinked. “Anything specific you want me to focus on? Does he have a particular specialty?”

Liora smirked. “He’s the laziest bum I know. As for the rest, I’ll leave it to you to figure out. I expect a thorough interview and a long article from this. All the best.” She finished with a smile that felt both encouraging and dismissive at the same time.

“Uh… how will I recognize him?” Smitha asked, her uncertainty lingering.

“I’ve sent his photo and phone number to your mobile,” Liora replied, waving it off. “But try not to call him. That grandpa has a strong dislike for technology.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll get going then,” Smitha mumbled, staggering out of the chair, her thoughts swirling in confusion.

“Don’t forget to take your key,” Liora said, gesturing toward a tray near the door. It was filled with identical-looking keys.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the tray, Smitha hesitated for a moment before grabbing one. With the key clutched tightly in her hand, she walked out, her mind still trying to process the strange new world she had entered.

****

Upon reaching Lavonne Café, Smitha scanned the shop, her eyes quickly landing on a dark-haired man sitting by the window. He resembled the photo she had seen, though in person, he appeared far younger—like a man in his late twenties. His photo hadn’t done justice to his strikingly handsome features. He was almost too perfect, as if a god had descended onto Earth. ‘On second thought, he could be a god,’ Smitha mused.

“Hi! I’m Smitha. Would you be Eldrin?” she asked, approaching the man with a polite smile.

“Yes, I am,” Eldrin replied, his brow furrowing slightly. “Do I know you?”

“Well, I’m here to interview you. I’m from The Perpetual Press. I believe Liora would have informed you about our meeting,” Smitha answered, still smiling.

“Oh yes,” Eldrin said, the realization dawning on him. “She mentioned someone would be coming. I didn’t expect someone this young.” His tone was blunt, and it was clear he hadn’t meant it as a compliment. He gestured toward the empty chair across from him. “Please, have a seat.”

Smitha sat down, slightly unsettled but maintaining her composure. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she began the interview.

“Can you introduce yourself, your age, and your profession?” Smitha asked, ready to take notes.

“I’m Eldrin. My age—Timeless. And my profession—well, my dear, if I still had to work after all this time, I’d rather not be alive,” he said with a smirk. “But if you’re curious about my interests, I’m passionate about anything and everything.”

‘Wow, eccentric is an understatement,’ Smitha thought, hiding her surprise as she continued with the interview. “No wonder Liora wanted an exclusive with you,” she said, attempting to flatter him. “You must have seen the world evolve over the ages. Let’s start with something recent and work our way back. How did COVID, in the years 2020, affect you?”

Eldrin chuckled softly. “I heard about it, but I spent those years holed up in my mansion, studying computers. Technology had advanced so much, I could no longer avoid it. I’d say from 2020 to 2023 was an intense time of learning for me.”

“You didn’t watch the news?” Smitha asked, intrigued by his response.

“News? From the television or the internet? I was learning to use those very things,” he replied with an unexpected burst of enthusiasm. “Four years well spent,” he added, a content smile stretching across his face.

“Oh, I see,” Smitha replied, slightly at a loss for words. “And where were you in the last decade?”

“I was in India. Did a lot of traveling, sampled different foods… though, if you ask me to name any now, nothing immediately comes to mind,” he said casually, as if the experiences were nothing remarkable.

“So, you must be aware of the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan?” Smitha asked, hoping for a more substantial response.

“Pakistan? Oh, you mean Meluhha?” Eldrin said, with a dismissive wave. “I haven’t followed the details. Seems like some trivial border issues.”

Smitha blinked, trying to process his nonchalance. She decided to test his awareness of other major world events.

“What about the Ukrainian war?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve caught bits of that on the television recently. Fascinating thing, that box of moving pictures,” he said with a smile.

Smitha pressed on, feeling a bit baffled. “And wars like Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan, Vietnam?”

“Oh, were these countries in a war? I was in India for the last half-century, traveling. Wars never really interested me,” Eldrin shrugged.

“Indian Independence?” Smitha asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes, I heard India became independent from British rule,” he said, trying to gather his thoughts. “So, I spent thirty years with the tribals in the Nilgiri Ranges. Beautiful place, but quite cut off from civilization. I think this event happened around that time,” he said, as if it were nothing.

Is this guy serious? Smitha wondered, feeling her patience slip. “The World Wars, surely?”

“I was… underwater during that time,” Eldrin replied. “Exploring the Great Barrier Reef, you know? A huge wave swept me into the ocean, and I decided to stay underwater for a while. Never caught wind of those wars or the Spanish flu, for that matter.”

“…”

“I visited the Great barrier reef last year, I felt like the corals lost their lustre,” he said.

Smitha bit her lip, her frustration mounting. He’s missed everything! she thought, incredulously. “Shakespeare?”

“Never saw a play. I was too busy attending tea parties hosted by royalty in Britain. Lovely time, though,” Eldrin mused.

“What about Japan? The samurais? The Shogunate?”

Eldrin smiled sheepishly. “Ah, well, I was in Japan, yes, but I got trapped under a pile of rocks during an earthquake and spent centuries there. Missed all the samurai action.”

Smitha stared at him, trying not to lose her composure. “Taj Mahal?”

“I was in India, but got lost in the Thar Desert during my travels. Never made it to the Taj till it was fully constructed, unfortunately.”

‘Arghhh!!!’ Smitha’s inner voice screamed. ‘This geezer has conveniently missed everything or forgotten it!’ She took a deep breath, trying to remain professional.

The more she listened, the more she realized Eldrin’s life, though long, was utterly unrelatable. His immense wealth had shielded him from any true change, his disinterest in world events leaving little for her to work with.

Smitha glanced at her notepad. She struggled to find enough material to write beyond two pages. His wealth, his immortality—it all seemed so distant, so detached from the experiences of any real human being. He hadn’t even bothered learning the names of other species.

Smitha sat there, staring at Eldrin, whose smug smile hadn’t faded. She glanced at her notepad—half-filled with pointless anecdotes about a man who had somehow lived through millennia without experiencing anything of historical significance.

This interview was a disaster.

‘He’s a walking time capsule of missed opportunities,’ she thought, suppressing an exasperated groan. She finally closed her notebook, realizing she had only one option left: to play into the absurdity of it all.

“Well, Eldrin,” Smitha said, forcing a smile, “it sounds like you’ve spent centuries learning about yourself. ” She stood up with her hand extended to shake his, “Thanks for your… time, Eldrin.” Thus concluding the interview.

He shook her hand back, “Your Welcome,” with a slight nod of his head.

Smitha turned to leave. She chuckled despite herself. ‘I guess I’ll call my article – The Immortal Who Missed Everything Important,’ she thought to herself. As she was exited the cafe, she muttered under her breath, “I wonder if anyone will even believe this guy exists.”

Behind her, Eldrin called out, “Oh, don’t worry about that, love! Most people think I’m a myth anyway.”

Smitha laughed. ‘He might as well be.’

— The End —