Veil Life: A Modern Retelling of the Book of Job
1–
It was a warm evening in southeast London, the golden light stretching over the rooftops as Joe sat at his desk, contemplating his future. His laptop hummed softly, his unfinished creative projects open on the screen—remnants of a degree he had once believed would guarantee his success.
As a British student, Joe had always gravitated toward international peers, drawn to their diverse perspectives and relentless ambition. In contrast, he struggled to connect with many home students. Perhaps it was because his own drive mirrored that of the international crowd—those determined to secure promising careers after graduation, no matter the odds.
After earning a BA in Graphic Design from a prestigious London university, Joe eagerly set out to find work in the creative industry. A devoted Christian, he felt deeply grateful for the opportunities he had received. Among his academic peers, he was respected—or so it seemed. Yet, beneath the surface, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that their support was merely superficial.
What he hadn’t anticipated was just how brutal and unforgiving the job market would be.
The industry was rife with exploitation. Employers preyed on desperate graduates, subjecting them to grueling unpaid trials under the guise of "experience." Entry-level positions were scarce, and the few that existed seemed unattainable without the right connections.
Joe spent hours scrolling through job-hunting sites like LinkedIn, watching as former classmates and so-called friends announced their dream job offers. Curious—and increasingly desperate—he reached out to them for advice.
His messages sat unread. No responses. No explanations.
One by one, they ignored him.
He had become invisible.
2–
Father: "We can't support you anymore. You need to move out!"
Joe: "I'm trying to kickstart my career, Dad."
Mother: "It doesn't make sense. Why can't you get a job? You're qualified—especially after going to uni."
Joe: "It's a Catch-22. I need experience to get a job, but I can't get the experience without the job."
Father: "You should've just gotten a regular job, Joe. Have you been to the job centre yet?"
Joe: “Not yet but, I will.”
3–
Receptionist: "Joe, please proceed to seat 26 upstairs."
Joe made his way upstairs to meet with the job advisor, Mr. Elihu.
Mr. Elihu: "Hello, Joe. It's nice to meet you. I’ve read your work diary and CV, and I understand you’ve been unemployed for months, but you’ve studied at university."
Joe: "Yes, that's right. I’m not sure what to do anymore—it’s been so challenging."
Mr. Elihu: "Do you have any transferable skills?"
Joe: "Transferable skills? The only thing besides creativity is that I’m good with a MacBook."
Mr. Elihu: "Joe, you might consider a job in IT."
Joe: "Don’t I need to study or train for that? I don’t have the time."
Mr. Elihu: "It’s just a suggestion. I’m only trying to help."
Joe: "Thank you. Sorry… It’s better than nothing."
4–
Joe was still living with his parents and remained unemployed. He had been encouraged to seek out social housing, but his applications were often rejected, a consequence of his uncertain circumstances. Isolated and disheartened, he found solace in attending Sunday church services, even though most of the congregation was elderly, and he felt disconnected from anyone his age. The loneliness weighed heavily on him, but he clung to the routine, hoping for a sense of clarity or a community to emerge.
One Sunday, after a year of regular attendance, Joe noticed someone new in the service. She was a young woman, around his age, with striking beauty. Her blonde hair shimmered like sunlight, and her sapphire-colored eyes seemed to hold a depth of mystery. Joe wanted to approach her, but the weight of his unemployment and his lack of progress in life made him feel embarrassed. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he should be more—someone who had found meaningful work, especially after studying at a prestigious university.
But as Joe quietly observed her, the woman, seeming to sense his scrutiny, decided to approach him instead. A surge of panic rushed through Joe, but he fought to remain calm, trying to mask the surprise flooding his thoughts. She sat next to him on the pew, her presence gentle but confident.
Joe quickly noticed the university lanyard hanging from her neck. Intrigued, he saw that she was studying for an MA in Sociology at the nearby campus—a connection that made her feel closer, more familiar.
Before she could say anything, the service was about to begin, as usual. But she leaned in, her voice soft as she whispered, “I’d like to talk with you after the service.”
Joe, still trying to control his surprise, nodded, focusing his attention on the service. Today was communion, and he found himself trying to center his thoughts, to push aside the rush of emotions that this unexpected encounter had stirred.
5–
As the church service came to a close, the woman introduced herself to Joe.
Mary: "Hi, I’m Mary. I wanted to talk to you because my mum encouraged me to meet people my age instead of chatting with the older crowd. I’m not really sure why," she said with a light, playful smile.
Joe: "Oh, uh... I’m Joe. I used to study at university."
Mary: "What do you do now?"
Joe froze, caught off guard by her directness. The words caught in his throat, and for a moment, he couldn’t find an answer. What could he say? His life felt like an empty void, a place where nothing had gone according to plan. Desperate, he searched for something to cling to, but no words came.
Mary noticed his hesitation, her smile softening into one of quiet understanding. She didn’t rush him; she waited patiently, giving him space to respond.
But the silence pressed in on him, suffocating in its weight. Unable to bear it any longer, Joe blurted out, "I—I need to go to the toilet."
It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. Panic overtook him—fight or flight. He chose flight. Without waiting for her response, he hurried away, his steps quick and uneven. He didn’t want to confront his failures, didn’t want to be seen for what he was. He just needed a moment—time to breathe, to escape.
A few minutes later, Joe returned from the bathroom. As he stepped into the main hall, he saw Mary chatting with some other people. Eventually, she made her way over to his parents. Joe wasn’t sure if they were talking about him, but the thought unsettled him. His instinct was to avoid the situation altogether. But with people waiting to use the bathroom, he had nowhere to hide.
Reluctantly, Joe moved back toward the pews. As he approached, his parents greeted him—not with the frustration he feared, but with warmth.
Mother: "Hi, Joe. We have to head to work, but it was lovely meeting your new friend."
Father: "Maybe you can offer Mary some university advice sometime. Anyway, we’ve got to go. See you later."
Joe nodded, trying to push down the knot in his stomach. His parents left, but Mary remained seated in the pew, absorbed in a book titled The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to interrupt her. But it felt urgent—he needed to say something, to finally break past the awkwardness.
Joe: "Hey, Mary. Sorry to interrupt your reading... and for leaving earlier. I just wanted to say that I’m looking for work in the creative industry—I’m a Graphic Designer."
Mary glanced up, her expression thoughtful.
Mary: "I couldn’t help but notice how you express yourself—or, rather, how you perform in this social situation. You seem... a little afraid. Why has it been so difficult for you to break into the creative industry?"
Her words hit Joe like a sharp sting. He wasn’t sure if they were meant as judgment or simple curiosity. His throat tightened, and he felt the familiar prick of tears threatening to surface. The weight of her observation felt like too much.
Seeing his discomfort, Mary’s expression softened.
Mary: "I’m sorry, that was rude of me. I... I didn’t mean to upset you."
Joe blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in her tone.
Mary: "I should explain. I’m autistic. Social situations like this can be hard for me. I don’t always know how to behave or what’s expected. But I’m passionate about studying Sociology. I tend to analyse things... sometimes a little too much."
Joe stood there for a moment, absorbing her words. The tension in his chest slowly started to ease. For the first time in a while, he felt a connection—a small crack in the loneliness he had been carrying.
Joe: "So, when are you expected to graduate, Mary?"
Mary looked pleasantly surprised by his question.
Mary: "Well, I’m supposed to finish next month. I hope I get good grades, though... sometimes I wonder if it really matters."
6—
A couple of months passed, and Mary was still struggling with job hunting. But she wasn’t alone—Joe was there to support her. Eventually, she secured a spot in a graduate scheme designed for autistic individuals, giving her a much-needed sense of stability. Meanwhile, Joe remained happily unemployed, dedicating his time to volunteering at his local church.
Joe hadn’t given much thought to the fact that Mary was a home student, but that detail didn’t matter to him. What mattered was their growing friendship. He wasn’t sure if he was in love with her, but he knew he valued her presence in his life.
One day, Joe was invited to a meeting at the job centre with Mr. Elihu, his employment advisor, to discuss his progress in finding work.
Mr. Elihu: "Hello, Joe. I hear you’ve been volunteering."
Joe: "Yeah, I’ve been helping out at my church and gaining some work experience."
Mr. Elihu: "That’s great, Joe. But where do you see this leading? What career path are you working toward?"
Joe hesitated. His dream was to become a professional graphic designer, but right now, his focus was simply on helping others through his volunteer work. He wasn’t sure where that left him.
Joe: "I think… I just want to help people."
Mr. Elihu: "In what way?"
Joe: "I don’t really know."
Mr. Elihu studied him for a moment, sensing Joe’s genuine desire to make a difference. An idea came to mind.
Mr. Elihu: "Joe, have you ever considered a career in policing? There’s a graduate scheme called Police Now. It’s a paid program that trains you to become a neighborhood officer. You’d be helping people directly. What do you think?"
Joe blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. Policing had never crossed his mind.
Joe: “Could I sleep on it?”
Mr. Elihu: “Yes, take your time. I think it would be a great opportunity for you.
7—
Before speaking to his parents, Joe wanted to talk to Mary about his decision.
Joe: "Hey, Mary, I have something to tell you."
Mary didn’t respond right away. She looked exhausted—her shoulders slumped, dark circles forming under her tired eyes. Joe quickly realized she was experiencing burnout from work.
He hesitated. Was this really the right time to bring up his dilemma? As he watched her struggle to stay present, another thought crept in—if he joined the police force, his time would no longer be his own. Would he even get to see Mary as often?
Joe felt torn. Mr. Elihu was waiting for an answer, but uncertainty held him back.
Later, he decided to talk to his parents, hoping they could offer some guidance. Their reactions were mixed.
Father: "I think it’s a great idea. You’ll be contributing to society, making a real difference."
Mother: "But it’s dangerous! You’ll be facing crime firsthand—have you really thought this through?"
Their conflicting opinions only deepened Joe’s uncertainty. He knew he needed to talk to Mary, but with her burnout, he didn’t want to burden her just yet.
Feeling overwhelmed, he stepped outside—not to run away, but to clear his head, to breathe in the fresh air and think.
Just as he took a deep breath, his phone rang. It was Mr. Elihu.
Mr. Elihu: "Hi Joe, sorry to bother you. I just wanted to let you know that the deadline for online applications is next week. If you're interested in Police Now, it might be time to start applying."
Joe swallowed, his mind still clouded with doubt.
Joe: "Thanks for letting me know, Mr. Elihu. I... I’ll think about it."
Mr. Elihu: "Alright. Good luck, Joe."
As the call ended, Joe stared at his phone, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. Time was running out. He needed to figure out what he truly wanted—before it was too late.
8–
Mary felt rested and ready to catch up with Joe. But when she asked his parents where he was, they had no idea.
Frustration simmered inside her—not just because she couldn’t find Joe, but because work had been overwhelming. Despite informing her employer about her need for reasonable adjustments, including designated rest days, she still felt unheard and undervalued.
A nagging worry crept in. Knowing how fragile Joe could be, she wondered if something had pushed him to run away.
To her relief, Joe finally returned home.
Mary: "Where have you been?"
Joe: "I didn’t want to disturb you. You looked exhausted."
Mary sighed, rubbing her temples. "My employer keeps giving me too many hours. I’m trying to talk to them about reducing my workload because of my autism." She exhaled sharply. "Anyway, what’s on your mind?"
Joe hesitated before finally admitting, "I was offered a chance to join the police force… but I’ve decided it’s not the right path for me."
Mary: "What? Why?"
Joe: "I wanted to spend more time with you. I was afraid the job would take over my life."
Mary: "Sweetie, you need to find a job. You can’t just rely on Universal Credit."
Joe: "I know… but I don’t know what career to pursue. Mr. Elihu, my job advisor, suggested I find a job where I can help people since I enjoy volunteering at my local church."
Mary: "What about Graphic Design? You studied it, after all."
Joe: "But, Mary, it’s a dead end. No one wants to hire me."
Mary: "We’ll figure something out."
Joe: “Maybe I could go to therapy?”
Mary: “We could go together.”
Joe: “I don’t know Mary. This is my problem.
Mary: “You don’t have to do it alone. Trust me, we can work it out together.”
–9
Joe and Mary had booked a therapy appointment, but since Joe’s concerns required individual support rather than couples therapy, the session would focus solely on him.
As they sat together in the waiting room, a quiet tension filled the air.
Doctor: "Joe! Are you ready?"
Joe: "Yes, coming."
Joe stood up and walked into the doctor’s office while Mary remained outside, waiting.
Doctor: "So, what brings you here today?"
Joe: "I feel lost when it comes to my career. I don’t know what job to pursue."
Doctor: "And who’s that waiting outside?"
Joe: "Oh, that’s my friend, Mary."
Doctor: "Friend?"
Joe: "Um… yeah. Anyway, I thought this session was about me?"
Doctor: "It is. I just like to understand more about you and your support system. So, tell me—what’s your current situation?"
Joe: "Well, I graduated a couple of years ago with a degree in Graphic Design. As a Christian, I volunteer at my local church, which I enjoy, but I’ve struggled to break into the creative industry. I can’t even seem to land a regular job."
Doctor: "Have you ever considered freelancing as a Graphic Designer?"
Joe hesitated, letting the question sink in.
Joe: "No, I haven’t. I don’t think my work is good enough—it’s really just student projects."
Doctor: "Can I see your work?"
Joe hesitated again before pulling out his phone, opening Instagram, and showing the doctor his design portfolio.
The doctor scrolled through Joe’s work, nodding with interest.
Doctor: "This is impressive, Joe. Have you thought about gaining experience by volunteering as a graphic designer? It could help build your confidence and portfolio."
Joe looked puzzled. Before he could respond, the doctor got up from her desk, walked to the door, and gestured for Mary to come in.
Joe's eyes widened in surprise, but he said nothing.
Mary sat down beside him.
Doctor: "Hello, Mary. It’s nice to meet you."
Mary: "Nice to meet you too."
Joe shifted uncomfortably, his unease growing with the sudden change in direction.
Doctor: "So, Mary, who is Joe to you?"
Mary: "He’s my boyfriend."
Joe's heart pounded. He wasn’t sure why, but hearing her say it in front of the doctor made him nervous.
Doctor: "Have you seen Joe’s work?"
Mary: "I know he studied Graphic Design, but he’s never shown me his work."
The doctor turned to Joe.
Doctor: "Would you like to show Mary your work?"
Joe hesitated, gripping his phone tightly. His first instinct was to refuse. But when he glanced at Mary, he saw the curiosity in her eyes—genuine interest, not judgment.
Taking a deep breath, he unlocked his phone and handed it over.
Mary's expression was neutral at first, but as she scrolled through his work, her eyes lit up with excitement.
Mary: "Joe! This is amazing! I had no idea you were this good."
Joe felt a warmth spread through him—unexpected but welcome. He wasn’t used to praise, and Mary’s enthusiasm caught him off guard.
–10
After the appointment, Joe took the doctor’s advice and started volunteering as a graphic designer. Over the next couple of months, his dedication paid off—he was fortunate to land a job at a graphic design agency in London.
A year later, Joe proposed to Mary, and they began their happily ever after.