The following afternoon, Vogel sat alone in the conference room. The door opened and Amenth came in. "You sent for me, sir?"
"Sit down, Amenth. Let's talk a while."
Amenth sat down uneasily.
"We're considering you for promotion," Vogel said, silencing the little man's protests with a deprecating wave. "But we've got to know if you're ready. Let's talk about your job."
Amenth relaxed.
They talked shop for a few moments, then Vogel opened a folder, took out his watch. "Very good," he said. "Now let's check your initiative potential." As Amenth stiffened, Vogel reassured him, "Relax. It's a routine association test."
For the next ten minutes he timed Amenth's responses with a stop watch. Most of the words were familiar shop words and most of the responses were standard.
"Job."
"Escape," Amenth said instantly.
"Blueprint."