Me and The Peace Corps
~Part two
 
The interviewer's eyebrows lowered. Then she said, "Your application also indicates that you have experience with uncivilized people. Who were they?"

"My family."

"Your family was uncivilized?"

"Like apes."

“A family of apes?”

“Yes,” I said, using three of my fingers to quickly scratch my chin. “I was raised … by people like apes. Well, like gorillas, really. There is a difference, you know? Like Tarzan. He was raised by apes. I was raised by gorilla-like people.”

“I see,” said the lady, sitting back in her swivel desk chair. “Your application reads that you were raised in New York City.”

“Yes, in Brooklyn. It was a time when many adults were gorilla-like. The fifties and early sixties. You know.”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Well, be glad you don’t.”

“So being raised by gorilla-like people qualifies you to serve in The Peace Corps?”

“I’m glad you feel that way.”

“That was a question.”

“I thought I answered that question already.”

“Sir, just what is it you want from The Peace Corps?”

“Well I’ll tell you one thing I don’t want: a uniform. And I know there is no official Peace Corps uniform and that is fine with me. I will bring my own clothes. And if you come up with a uniform I hope you don’t mind if I stay in civvies.”