Becoming Elite In Less Than A Year

That party... it was frankly unimportant. I'd just joined. The classes were easy. There was nothing to make a fuss about, really. Of course, I passed all my classes and successfully accomplished twenty solo missions. Who would have thought I'd do otherwise?

-Someone Elsewood

---

History

Someone Elsewood is the one and only W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. agent to be celebrated in such a way. Never before and never since has an agent become an Elite Espionage operative in less than one year's time. His story has been recorded and is referenced often in Junior Sprout classes and shown for examples (of good and bad) in various other instances, especially for the Introductory Interns.

I really really really really REALLY worked hard to earn this party, but I just didn't make it in time. That's okay. Someone is still awesome and I still want to be just like him. I won't let any minor setbacks discourage me. I'm gonna keep on working 'til they show my videos in the explainer courses! For good or bad examples. Just like they show Someone's failures and accomplisments.

-Stewart Princely, Introductory Intern and Junior Sprout

Execution

This event has only happened one time. When Someone Elsewood was recruited and began displaying signs of incomparable talent, all Higher-Ups kept a keen eye on him. They knew that he was a special case and wanted his story to inspire other trainees, so they decided to throw a party in celebration, making a big deal about his success. All of his classmates, teachers, and other operatives who helped him along his journey were invited to congratulate him and provide sage advice on how he should proceed going forward. Someone, himself, did not appear to be very fazed by the hubbub that was being made about him, but many reported seeing a proud perk on his face several times during the evening's events.

He tried to play it off all cool-like, but I'm sure he felt like dancing inside. Everyone was congratulating him and showering him with confetti. He got so many gifts and there was even cake! It was good, too. I remember that party like it was yesterday... Hmmm... I wonder if I could come up with a new tradition as an excuse to order another cake from that bakery. I don't know where they got it from. Everything's so secretive around here. Hey. Maybe they got the lab folks to bake it. Woah. They may have been testing some experimental flavor tech...

-Commander McCox

Participants

In Someone's case, his recruiter Aiden Alden, Commander Gerald McCox and General Rigotto were among the party's esteemed guests.

I knew that kid was trouble when he first arrived. Yeah, I attended the party...perhaps I at some of the cake. It was a good cake. Maybe I AM smiling in some of the photos but, so what? Deep down, I knew all the way back then that something was wrong. SOMEONE was wrong. Even that name is a red flag. Hmph. It's a cryin' shame the board won't change these silly requests. We should have parties more often--under the proper circumstances, celebrating operatives who really deserve it. No other agent should try to follow after any of his crooked footsteps, but that's exactly what W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. is encouraging by holding him in place as the standard.

-General Rigotto

Observance

All new recruits have been told that, if they are able to attend all asigned classes, pass all critical exams, and successfully accomplish twenty solo missions within their first twelve months of service at the company, they will be welcomed back to their primary headquarters location with a standing ovation and presented with the Elite Espionage badge. Most students don't even aim to pull off such a feat as many deem the conditions impossible. There have been petitions to alter the standards but all have been shut down instantly.

It seems the unseen officials of W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. want Someone to be considered the pinnacle of perfection or something when he's, like, obviously TOTALLY NOT. Pfft.

-Bruce Machete, Someone's former partner Obligatory Associate

Commander McCox gives newbies the rundown:
It is a great honor to become an Elite Espionage agent. Many spies work hard to achieve the rank and most of them don't ever earn the title. Elsewood, however, is the only one to be awarded Elite in less than a year. This is usually impossible because of all it takes to become an Elite, let alone a Super Spy, or even a Field Agent. Heck, it takes a lot to be considered a Base Op. You have so many classes to pass as an Intern that, most often, at least the first two years of your life at WILLOWISP are spent learning and not even completing a single mission.. Elsewood's advantage was that they let him skip a lot of classes due to his prior knowledge. I don't know where that boy came from, but, somehow, he knew more languages than I could name. He also knew lots of stuff that the average person wouldn't even need to practically ever use in their lifetime. Once the classes were done, it was only a matter of time before he became a true Elite. I still don't know how he did it... I do know that the party was on jam. It was the most epic party we've ever had here at W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P.. You should have been there. But, you know what? If you work hard, they may just throw an even bigger party for you!

Important Locations

• Jack Pine Tower

Related Organizations

• W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P.

A tradition or ceremony which confers an honor on Someone
Summer Camp 2022