SIR, is there any chance for creativity in a big corporation like this one?

I STOP dictating these questions to myself. Wait a second, who do you think you're setting up for the kill. Mr.Dumb? This is GM, baby, the big time. He'll eat those questions up. They're too pat.... But I have to ask those questions: I'm applying for a job, not doing an interview. I'm just a normal college graduate wanting into the manistream.... Well, nothing's going to happen and you're not going to get any good copy. He's not going to get himself into any trouble; he's adroit, like a politician.

How can I write something from an interview with a professional con man. I need more than those sweety questions.... Sock some nasties to him. You're a young radical, straight from Columbia.

SIR, I might as well be frank -- that's the difference between our generations, don't you think--I'm Jewish, and I've heard a lot about antisemitism in big companies like this. What's the real story, how would my religion affect my chances for advancement?

SIR, my politics are pretty liberal, pretty much on the Left. What kind of political conformity do you require of your employees?

SIR, I wonder, does General Motors have a social conscience, I mean, do you think that selling cars is all that important, really?

My pre-confrontation indignation ebbs. Watch that anti-authoritarian hang-up, man. These aren't the days of Babbit, you know. Things have changed. Business is ghetto-bound and groovy and so forth. New managerial elite. They don't discriminate, and if they do, they're sure not going to tell you about it. These are politically sensitive times, after all. By 1970, half the nation under 25, you're a valuable commodity. You know, he's probably going to offer you the job right there. He's going to say you're a nice Jewish boy, just what we've been looking for, and you sound pretty bright, so here's this job. That's all right if you haven't taken any business, we're actually looking for a little of that English major touch anyway.

A GRAY monster looms on the left. Why General Motors of course. We're here.

In the waiting room, the secretary closest to me, at the head of a long row of secretaries, is knocking off a businesslike telephone call. She speaks to the principal of a local high school.

"Good morning, sir, this is General Motors. Mr. S's office. We're doing our annual brochure on the GM scholarship program and we found a picture from your high school in our clips... A group of clean cut kids... yes, it's integrated... do you know if you would have the original?... Yes, we'll use it in color. Oh, good, send it right over. Thank you, sir."

And now, into the inner chamber itself!

"Mr. Alexander, how do you do. Prefatory to my initiating our conversation, I would like to familiarize myself further with your background."

Unsmiling, unlaughable, unflappable, he has memorized his friendly speech of introduction. His delivery, however, remains mechanical. Perhaps he is worried about a business machine trying to take his place.

"SIR..." I begin.

"Yes, yes, of course. Now I want to speak personally about this Jewish question..."