The fiction is well written The interview to consider as a date is unusual way of thinking , but that reduces the tension for sure. to praise the boss is a good strategy to secure the job one wants. To get all the words in the fiction to follow the rules of a contest may change the plot with minor incidents are needed to add , eg. nail getting in the shoe, just to add the needed word.but it fits in the story and made the clever addition to the fiction which is just done with flair and clarity.
A good read,
Jaya H.