Unicus Research interview questions

The CEO was well meaning and kind. However extremely scattered and very disorganized. She asked me to submit a white paper on ESG (which is fairly technical and time intensive) . She then took 1.5 months to read 2.5 pages. After that we met and she had forgotten about the interview. She then discussed an hourly rate due to budget restrictions which I accepted. She asked for references three times, When I followed up after sending references she said she didn't even have the budget for the hourly rate. Understandable but why would somebody ask someone to submit a technical research paper (ESG), discuss rate and ask to submit references without having a budget in the first place. She also changed her shirt in front of me which was discomforting. Ultimately I dodged a bullet.