They released to the press the next day that the applications were ready both online and at the front office. They also offered the applications to be mailed to the applicant with return postage if they called the office or asked for a printed version from the online site. And, in recognition of his eagerness to apply after the first press conference as well as his honest reporting about their effort to plan for what the colony may need along with his willingness to report on their desire to make the colony learn how to help each other regardless of personal benefit so that the whole colony would benefit more than any one person would, Stephan made sure to hand an application he had printed out directly to the reporter that they had found waiting on them the morning after they had announced the colony and would be taking applications.
When he handed it to him, Stephan shook his hand and said, "Being the first one in line before we had even got close to having these applications ready, I figured you deserved the honor of being the first one to receive an application."
"I sincerely thank you sir." the reporter gratefully thanked Stephan, "I've been so eagerly waiting for this day that I have already been spending every spare minute learning how to operate a hydroponics system as well as how to do all aspects of farming by hand so I can help in whatever way you might need."
"Well, you know I can't promise you a spot," Stephan offered, "But I truly do hope that you make the cut after seeing how dedicated to this project you have been."
Over the next few weeks the initial flood of people requesting applications quickly turned to a flood of completed applications. Receiving responses from the immense number of interested parties, they Dawn's days became filled with trying to gather as much information about the applicants as she could find to help her determine how truthful the applicants were being about their experience and knowledge. She also made sure to note down what she was finding so that she could help narrow down the field later to help them pick the best candidates. After she had eliminated all of the applications being filled out by the jokesters as well as the alien conspiracy believers, she started to call them in for interviews to see how serious they were about wanting to make the sacrifices necessary if they got chosen to go. Unlike expected interviews however, while the applicants answered the various questions that they would get asked, Dawn and Jessica would evaluate them for any talents. Meanwhile Holly or Rachel would also be exploring their feelings while Dawn was evaluating their personalities through asking unusual questions to ensure they would fit in well with the rest of those selected and didn't have any quirky traits that could lead to insanity or homicidal tendencies and such.
While interviewing the numerous applicants, they started by focusing on the applicants that had farming or hydroponics experience, as well as any that unknowingly had the grower talent, due to them having decided to focus on transporting them to the colony first so that they could start off with more of such a critical supply than they would need when they started delivering those chosen for other roles. Going through this list of applicants she came across one that had listed them having experience with hydroponics but was mysteriously wanting to be chosen as an astronomer for the colony. Not knowing what to make of this request, she saved it for the last one she was planning on interviewing due to it possibly taking more time to get them to explain why they had openly listed their hydroponics experience but had specifically requested a position that they did not even have plans ton needing someone to fill for at least another decade or so.
A few days later, after interviewing all of the rest of the farming group and finding a surprising number that unknowingly possessed the grower ability, Dawn finally came to the special application and debated on skipping him until after she had finished with the next group and had gone through any new applications for the grower group. Finally deciding to call him, she read his general information again while she waited for him to answer his phone. And, when he did, she was startled when as soon as he answered he immediately angrily told her, "If you're wanting me to renew that durn extended warranty you guys are always trying to get me to buy I'll gladly sign up for it because you'll be sending me a check for this rusty old piece of crap because this worthless pile of scrap metal just broke down for the umpteenth time today and I'm getting majorly tired of it doing this!"
"Umm, Sir," Dawn hesitantly began when he stopped ranting about his car, "I'm not calling about your car. I'm-"
Before she could finish he interrupted her again, "And I don't owe you a single durn dime for those student loans! I served my mandatory time in the military to get that durn G.I. Bill scholarship and made sure to pass all of my durn classes with straight A's the whole way through to keep that durn Pell grant. So while those loans are showing up on my credit, I've done sold an arm and a leg to pay them bags of hot air calling themselves lawyers and they've got the court to side with me and them lazy S. O. B. loan companies have been supposed to erase that junk off my credit for like three years now. So if you want to sell me your student loan forgiveness deal then you need to call them piece of crap loan companies and have them sign up for it so they'll stop trying to screw up my credit rating so bad that I can't even borrow a dollar to buy a dollar store pair of socks. And if you're a bill collector calling about a legitimate bill that I haven't paid yet, then I'm sorry but I have to pay the essentials like power, water, and insurance on this durn crappy car before I can pay for stuff that I can't even pretend to need. So go wait in line along with all these other bill collectors because you guys have screwed my credit so bad I can't even borrow a roll of toilet paper now."
Trying again in between rants, Dawn sternly told him, "Listen here sir. We aren't a bill collector and we don't want you money. And, for that matter, if anything we are calling to offer you a chance to earn more money because I am calling about an application you sent this company recently."
"Oh! Sorry! Sorry!" the startled man exclaimed, "It's been a very aggravating day and I have had the durn scammers calling from numbers like this left and right every day for the past couple of weeks."
"I understand sir," Dawn replied, "But I need for you to verify that I am speaking with Mr Marcus Campbell and give me the middle two and the last two numbers in your Social Security number."
Marcus provided the required information and then asked, "Is this for that job I put in for to help with the Orion crew?"
"Sorry sir, but no. We are calling about your application sent in to be a colonist." Dawn inforemed him.
"Oh! Yes! Yes! I would be honored to be your Observer!" Marcus gushed, "When do I need to be ready to board the flight?"
"Wait Sir! Wait Mr. Marcus." Dawn interrupted, "First off, we aren't offering a job at this time. I am calling to see when you could come in for an interview. Second, while you did put down your desire to be one of these observationists, I am calling about your hydroponics experience."
"Durnit!" Marcus growled, "I guess I'm gonna have to start at the bottom with you guys too to get a shot at doing something I want to do."
"Mr. Marcus," Dawn firmly asked, "When would be a good time for you to come in for an interview?"
"I could be there in thirty minutes!" Marcus quickly replied, "Or, if this durn car starts up on the first try I could be there in like five."
"Sir." Dawn informed him, "It is already past regular business hours so an interview today is not possible. So, tell me, would eight o'clock tomorrow morning be an acceptable time that wouldn't interfere with your work schedule?"
Marcus laughed and told her, "Darling, my job right now is the same job I am applying for and so my workday doesn't start until just shy of dusk and ends at daybreak. Which tomorrow will be at seven sixteen. So Yes I will be able to make it at eight in the morning."
"Are you sure?" Dawn asked, I don't want you dong this interview at that time if you need the sleep because as part of the interview we ask several questions that require you to use your full mental faculties."
"Lady," Marcus explained, "I have been doing this at night along with a second job in the mornings for the last six years. I can handle this because the only hard part of this interview is going to be me having to sit still."
"Ok then." Dawn told him, "If you will be alert and cognizant then I will see you at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."