On her way to the interview Mara asks for courage, and it is granted: she strides in and nails it. The other candidate doesn’t even show up.

Over the first few months she asks for cleverness, and some days it’s with her, and some days it isn’t. It is, however, never with her colleagues. Some get remedial training.

Two years later her job is challenged by a superior. Mara asks for pride; she speaks eloquently, but the position is eliminated.

Mara asks for wrath. Her superior’s position opens up.

Mara attends the funeral, and starts to wonder exactly who she’s asking.