False starts

As my other work projects wrapped up, I called them to check where things were at.
I was told they had just called up several preservationist. They were ahead of me in the list in the computer because they had applied before me. They did not have any other openings in the system. I hung up.

The next day I called the same person back. "Was I the next person in the system or were there still others in front of me?" I was told life was not so simple, there was not a list, the computer wieghts all applications based on skills.

OK, well how often are they calling up planners and preservationists?
It changes all the time?
Weekly, monthly?
Can't say.
What is the range?
You can't say.
In the past couple of months, how often have they called people up?
Not meaningful.

Then, in a hushed tone he told me that the scuttlebut around the office was that there would not be openings soon.

Thanks. Goodbye.