Astro Boost

The line at the Dunkin’ Center stretched farther than you expected, a restless parade of hopefuls shifting on their feet, clutching resumes, oversized duffel bags, and—somewhat concerningly—an actual astronaut helmet. The New England Nova were hiring their first mascot, Astro Boost, and nobody knew what that actually meant. There was no reference, no blueprint—just a name and a mystery. You weren’t exactly excited to be here, but you were broke, rent was due, and your job prospects weren’t looking great. The Aurora Hoops League was new, which meant opportunities, but this? This was a long shot. A mascot gig wasn’t what you envisioned for yourself, but then again, neither was checking your bank account with your eyes closed. You had applied on a whim at 2 AM, scrolling through job listings while nursing a microwaved burrito and a growing sense of panic. The posting was oddly vague: Seeking an energetic individual with a creative mindset and a willingness to engage with fans of all ages. Athleticism required. Must be comfortable in a costume for extended periods of time. That last part gave you pause. You had no problem hyping up a crowd, but you’d never exactly performed in full costume before. The door ahead swung open, and a guy in a sweat-soaked T-shirt staggered out, looking like he had just run a marathon in a sauna. He wiped his forehead, let out a long breath, and muttered, “Good luck,” before disappearing down the hall. You swallowed hard. No turning back now…