My New Favorite Intern

I’ll call him Bonathan. He’s a strapping lad. Wears Polo. Pretty sure he could take me in a fight. He seems diligent. He completes his work quickly and almost flawlessly. (Note to Bonathan on your fact-checking assignment today: nice catch on the misspelled “Trac Man.” But it’s “TrackMan,” not “Track Man.”)

Anyway, here’s why he’s my new favorite intern: today in an edit meeting, I asked Bonathan to introduce himself to the group, tell us a little something about himself. He said he’s studying journalism — at which point, everyone in the room groaned a mock groan.

“You having any second thoughts about that course of study, Bonathan?” I asked.

“I’m not worried about trying to make money,” he said, meaning that he thinks there are more important things in life than making money.

“Do you come from wealth?” I asked. The line got a few laughs.

Bonathan paused. I could be exaggerating here, but I don’t think I am. He leaned back a bit in his chair. Then he said, “I’m comfortable.” I don’t think he was kidding. Nonetheless, his line got way more laughs than mine did.

Here’s to our summer together, Comfortable Bonathan. Let’s hope we teach each other something.