INITIATION

First day at the mine.  Shift boss shows me around.  When she's done with the technical stuff, this kind older woman smiles gently, "little afraid?"
"Ye-es."
"No shame in that, either are or you aren't. Noticed a pattern over the years.  Half of all people we hire quit the first day.  Nothing to do with size or experience.  Seen tough ex-paras who just can't handle it and seen girls just outa high school, like you, who can."  Pause. "See it's all in your psychology.  Here's how we find out.  I'll walk you down that drift, we'll turn, you'll be in total blackness except for the hatlamp.  I'll come back here.  Turn out your lamp, stand there, feel the dark, find out.  If you need me, just call."
As I stand, I realize there's over a mile of rock above me.  But properly rock-bolted
After a time I feel really good, this by far the most daring thing I've ever done.  I switch on my lamp and walk slowly back.
Shifter breaks into a huge smile, "saw your face, dear, you gonna make it."