A new chapter or just more of the same?

I've been keeping secrets from you, Dear Reader. Perhaps my time as a plucky but downtrodden Private Investigator is coming to a close.

You see, I have applied for an investigative position with a certain governmental agency (that shall remain unnamed) and I have made the short list. One of three.

It's not all beer and skittles, however. There is still the question of whether I make it to the very-short-list-of-two and score a trip to this nation's capital for a personal interview with the Chief.

And so far the silence has been deafening.

But what will this all mean?

Well, for a start they have already ruled out doing any of my own investigative work in my own time. A possible 'conflict of interest' they say.

Bollocks!

In the last 10 years I have never taken on any case that has impinged upon this department's narrowly focused area of operations, so the argument that there could be any such conflict is not based on the reality. And if there were a possible conflict, I could easily turn that work down.

Be that as it may, I have decided to take the job anyway (if offered the position) and temporaily cease doing any PI work.

I know.

I figure it is easier to subvert them from within and once I have ingratiated myself into their good books with my excellent work-ethic and outstanding results I will request that I can perform private investigations as secondary employment. When they refuse, which they will, I'll escalate the matter and request they outline their declinature in writing and, if they still will not reconsider after my reasoned rebuttal, will take the matter to a legal stage.  

Why, you ask?

Because I'm not one to take 'no' as an answer. I'm also not one to let others dictate to me what I can, and can not, do in my own time.

And it's just in my nature.

2 percent conformability, you remember.

The work itself is interesting, but only to a point, and I'll miss a great deal of variety that other investigation work affords. Quite frankly, I don't want to let these skills go to waste and wither on the vine, so to speak.

On the other hand, there will be new skills to learn (applying for search warrants, preparing for prosecutions) and statutory powers to abuse use (Warrant Card) as well as the possibility of undertaking formal training in a number of areas of interest. Although exactly what possibilities for professional development exist hasn't been disclosed at this time.

The money, on the other hand, is a bit average.

But this could all be pointless conjecture. I've not heard anything in several weeks and they may have made their appointment already and just not had the good manners to let me know.

We shall see.