So on Wed., "Littleville" called me  I had just returned from my interview at "Windytown", which went well.  They called and said they liked how things went on my panel, and would like to take things further.  He said they’d like to get me in for a polygraph, physical, and psychological test.  He then told me that if all goes well, then it’s just a matter of getting my uniform and equipment and I’d be good to go.  Basically that means "If you don’t screw something up, we’re thinking about hiring you".  He said someone would call me today or tomorrow to set up the time and date to have these tests done.  He doesn’t know this, but I literally jumped out of my seat, my eyes welled up, and it took every ounce of my strength to contain myself until we hung up.  Then I screamed a lot of positive profanities, pumping my arm in that "hell yes" motion.  And Immediately called my wife and mother to tell them the news.  My dream department had been the first to call me in for the next phase. 

    Within an hour, "Hellotown" called me.  They too wanted me to come in for their next phase, a psychological and physical.  They scheduled me for Monday.  I hoped, in the back of my mind, that Littleville would hurry up.  I wanted to work there so much more than these other departments.  And I didn’t want to lead anyone on or screw them over.  But still, it’s not time to start turning departments down yet.  And within yet another 30 minutes or so, Littleville called me again.  They wanted me to come in the next day (today) for my poly, drug screen, and physical!  I was floored with another wave of excitement.  Before I even had time to calm down, "Windytown" called and wanted to schedule a panel for me on Wed the 16th.  I know this all sounds far fetched, but it literally all happened within a few hours time.  I was overwhelmed.

    So today I show up at Littleville.  The lady there gives me directions to the polygraph operator’s office, and directions to the other centers I need to go to for the physical and drug screen.  The polygraph is my biggest fear in this process.  I have nothing to hide, hell I even was truthful about smoking some pot in highschool.  It’s just that I get so nervous in this situation, I don’t want it to be perceived as guilt.  There’s so much riding on that moment, on that test, on sweat glands, heartbeats, and lung expansions.  To know that my dream job all rides on that.  Makes me very nervous.  But I passed!!! I was again so happy I could hardly contain myself.

    I decided to meet my wife for lunch before continuing.  I needed to drink a lot of fluid for the drug test.  Plus I wanted to ‘mini-celebrate’ with her.  So we had lunch.  After lunch I went over to the medical building to take the drug test (her work, the facilities, etc. are all in Littleville).  I don’t do drugs so I wasn’t worried here.  I peed in a cup and headed off to get my physical at yet another location.

    I arrived for the physical.  The place was packed so I had to wait for quite some time.  I went back there and had to strip down and all that good mess.  I had to pee in a cup again.  Wish they would have told me that, I would have held some in from the last place.  All in all, I passed the physical too.  I have to assume I passed the drug test, as only I know the results before they do.  And unless it tests for Tylenol or Claritin, I’m clean.

    I bring all my paperwork back to the department.  She tells me that as long as everything is good (meaning the drug test results) then I can continue on to my psych eval on Tuesday.  It is in southwest Atlanta.  It will take me at least two hours to get there through rush hour traffic.  And I have to spend all day there.  But she said after that is finished, and all good, then it’s time for the Major to decide whether or not to bring me aboard.   So by the middle of next week, I could be employed by the top department on my list.  I am overwhelmed with excitement.