It’s a story I know I’ve told before, but for some reason I felt like tackling it as a poem. I was in college. desperate for a job, any job. There was a cafe in Berkeley taking applications. Seemed straightforward enough…
job interview #1
chuck taylors
worn levi’s
white cotton oxfordnothing too new
nothing dirtyapplicants daily
between one and two
see jan“why?” says jan
“everyone here
seems happy.”
jan smirks“we audition
the position”rubber apron
spray and load
unload, stack, repeatscalding dishes
heat-burnt fingers
sweat soaked shirtkitchen staff
shake their heads“sorry,” says jan
“here’s a coupon.
lunch on us.”lessons learned:
true dishwashers
don’t auditionsmirking isn’t
happiness
And as a matter of fact, i did have experience as a dishwasher for the student co-op I lived in, but there was something else going on, I later learned. They “auditioned” lots of applicants whenever they were short-staffed and needed people to give their dishwasher’s a lunch break. Taking advantage of children and young adults in the workplace, a Great American Tradition since the dawn of the Industrial Age!
It’s Poetry Friday again, all covered in whipped cream and other delights. Elaine at Wild Rose Reader has the roundup this week.
Wow! Well, at least you got a free lunch. I like the poem!
yeah, i got a free lunch, but i felt so used that i tore up the coupon on my way home and vowed never to eat there. and didn’t for the next twenty years. they’re still in business, so i guess i showed them!
thanks for the like.
I’m shocked! I never heard of a business trying that. Huh. Glad you got a poem out of it!
smirking isn’t
happiness
So true. I’m hoping Jan got some payback for that trick, but I’m not sure what kind of awfulness that would be. Maybe her own turn with the rubber apron and the scalded hands…