“Joe,” he yelled across the room, “what’s the number for Benny Chan’s Pizza?” 

Joe replied without hesitation, “Nine-zero-nine-seven- nine-seven-three, sir.” 

“No good,” Chief shouted. “How about Jerry Xie’s?” 

“Uh, Chief,” Freddy said, raising his hand. “We only have thirty-five seconds. I really don’t think now is the time to be picky about where we—” 

“Joe,” Chief screamed. “Jerry Xie’s—now!”

“Yes, sir, eight-zero-eight-five-one-nine-eight.”

“That’s it,” Chief crowed, slapping the table. There was still hope. “Everybody dial that number on both your phones. If you get an answer, hold up your phone.” 

Chief grabbed his two phones along with everyone else and quickly dialed. Every second mattered. They were all working frantically. One by one, his team put their phones down and yelled, “Nothing, Chief, no answer!”

The clock on the screen hit zero and the Boss walked in. The ear-blasting sound of a buzzer sliced through the air. ANNNTTT!!! 

Chief hung his head. The test was over. They had failed.

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