Micheal and I had been going from street to street, with our CVs neatly arranged in a transparent file bag and clutched perfectly in our hands. We were sweating like the motor park boys under the hot sun. I was very sure that the only thing that differentiated us from them at that particular point was the way we were dressed.
We were just fresh graduates of the same school. But at that point, our search for a job had turned out to be a newfound hustle. We didn't want to go back to our parent's house immediately. We were hopeful that somewhere, somehow, there was a job waiting for us. So every morning, we wouldn't give up. We would hit the streets like two rats being chased by something. To be honest, something was actually chasing us, hunger.
“Guy,” Micheal groaned, rubbing his neck, “I can swear that I'm seeing double. Let's find a roadside restaurant and eat, please. I'm starving."
I looked at him and chuckled. I could tell that he wasn't lying. I was starving too. We found a restaurant, but before we could cross the road to the other side of the restaurant, a black Toyota Camry parked beside us. A sweet and smooth ride. As we waited for the car to drive off or make way for us to cross, the back window slid down halfway.
“Excuse me,” the driver said, stepping out of the car. “You guys look like you need help?”
I looked at Micheal and he stared back at me.
"Sorry, why would you think so?" I asked politely.
"Transparent file bag and sweaty clothes. Looks to me like you guys are job hunting." The stranger explained.
Immediately, Micheal’s eyes lit up. “Yes sir! Anything legit.”
I stood back and watched the man closely. He looked like money. I could tell from the way he dressed. Shiny grey suit, dark shades, expensive gold-plated wristwatch. And his perfume smelled of wealth. I couldn’t tell if it was fake, but I could swear that he smelled nice.
“I work with PrimeAxis Global. A company with an international reputation. We're currently recruiting fresh graduates for a digital marketing campaign. You earn by referrals. The top guys make more than three hundred thousand naira monthly. You both look smart. I can tell you’re serious.”
I shook my head and tried to reject his offer as my brain was already kicking in with the word 'referral'. Besides he didn't specify the role or why he was scouting us by the roadside. I tried to decline his offer but before I could talk. Michael spoke.
“Exactly what we've been looking for since oh!” He was already grinning from ear to ear.
I looked from man to Micheal and back to the man again. He dug his hands in his pocket and produced a complimentary card that had no office address. Just one Gmail contact and a WhatsApp number.
I reached and grabbed it from him before he could hand it over to Micheal.
“Sir,” I asked, “Why is there no office address?”
He smiled, too quickly. “You're smart. Exactly why you guys are perfect for this job. We’re relocating to a new location. So there's no exact location at the moment. But If you agree now when it's time for the training, very simple training. I'll send you guys the new location for the new location. All I need you guys to do now is just to give me two passport photographs each and a commitment fee of five thousand naira.”
Micheal clapped softly. “Just Five thousand naira? I can afford that. But what's the pay sir."
"That will be discussed at the training. But like I said the big boys like me are earning more than three hundred thousand naira monthly."
Again Micheal smiled. He looked at me. But I wasn’t smiling. My mind raced back to Nairaland threads and Twitter rants about fake job recruiters. The kind that collects money and disappears. Or worse, rope boys into fraud unknowingly.
"Marriot, what do you think?" Micheal asked me, still smiling.
"I think we have to go. We're not interested." I whispered, pulling his arm and pulling him away from the man,
Micheal looked at me like I was not in my right mind. He shook his arms off my grip. “Are you okay, guy? This is an opportunity we've been waiting for."
“No it's not,” I said quietly. “Which company collects a fee to employ you? And besides, even if they're relocating they should know their new location."
The man looked at me like I was his enemy. He forced a smile. “Is anything the matter?” he asked me. "Look I'm just trying to help two boys that I see trying to survive in Nigeria."
I forced a smile. “Thank you, sir. But we're not interested.” I gave Micheal one last look. Praying he would trust me and follow my lead.
I guess he understood as he quickly turned and followed me. “I just hope your gut was right. If not, I'll not forgive you for missing such an opportunity."
When I was sure we were far away from the man. I turned to Micheal. “It's not just about the money, bro. Five thousand might be small cash for you but the executive begs people to come work for them under the hot sun on the streets of Lagos. Reason it. Even if it was legit, dude, where are you going to see people convince you to join such a business with no proper description.”
He scratched his head. “Hmmm....”
"That's right. Hmmm, is the right expression here."
That night, I couldn’t sleep. My conscience kept picking on me to be sure I didn't make us lose an opportunity. I went on Google to search for the company ‘PrimeAxis Global Nigeria scam’. My first hit on Google came with the result:
“Don’t fall for this! I paid five thousand, and they vanished the next day.”
I quickly sent the link to Micheal. Even though I was sure he must have slept.
He called me first thing the next morning.
“Baba, thank God for you o,”
I laughed. “I was wondering how you were so naive to believe such lies?”
“Maybe because I was desperate." He confessed.
"I hear you, desperado!" I teased him.
"So, how about today? Are we hunting again?" He asked. I could tell he was stretching from his side of the phone.
"Baba, let the hunter rest today. Over two weeks and no result. Maybe we need to re-strategize."
I could feel him nod in agreement. "Maybe." He paused. "Anyways, I'll be coming to your side today. Make sure there is food for me to eat."
I laughed. "How can you be a glutton and poor too?"
He laughed. "You know what they say. Birds of the same feather flock together. At least I'm not the only one poor."
We laughed.
P.S: The company name isn't a real name.
