第6章 The Search

Monday afternoon, Clint and his friends spread out across town to begin their job search. They had no idea how different their experiences were going to be.

Olivia was thrilled about her first visit: a local clothing store. Fashion was her passion. As she walked in, the woman behind the counter made no eye contact; she couldn't, she was transfixed by what appeared to be a YouTube video on her phone. Olivia wandered through the store for a few minutes and finally approached a clerk and asked if there was a manager on duty. The young girl pointed at the woman watching the video.

“Is it okay to interrupt her?” Olivia asked.

“Are you going to buy something?”

“No, I was going to ask her about a job.”

“Why would you do that?” The clerk gasped. “Run, girl, run. You don't want to work here.”

“Why not?”

“No respect, no appreciation, a lot of screaming. . . . I've been here for three months and she still calls me ‘girl.’ I swear she doesn't even know my name.”

“Why do you stay?”

“I get 50% off the clothes,” she grinned.

“Okay, thanks for the heads-up,” Olivia said as she quietly left the shop, convinced the manager never knew she was there.

Alex loved coffee, so when Clint suggested they get jobs, he was convinced the coffee shop was his spot. When he checked in to see if they were hiring, they told him they were always looking for good people. He was encouraged by the barista to go online and complete the application.

“Hey, before you go, let me do two things for you,” the young man said.

“What's that?”

“Let me offer you a free drink and introduce you to the manager.”

“Okay, thanks.”

While Alex was waiting for his drink, a woman approached him and introduced herself. “Hi, I'm Laura. Brad tells me you might be interested in a job here.”

“Maybe. I'm doing research at this point.”

“If you have questions, here's my card. And, if you have time, I would love to ask you just one question today.”

“Sure!” Alex replied.

“Why do you want a job?”

Alex told Laura about Amara's death and the plan to buy a well. She was impressed.

“Thanks for considering us for a summer job. If you decide to come back in, I want to tell you how we are making a difference in the world. It's a story you might enjoy.”

“Thanks!”

Tyler had a sweet tooth, so he had chosen the bakery as his first visit. When he asked if they were hiring summer help, the manager replied, “Well, yes, we are. All we can get.”

“I'm glad you're hiring. If you don't mind me asking, why are you hiring ‘all you can get’? Is business that good?”

“Certainly not. We just can't keep help. So, my approach is to hire everyone who walks in. We'll know in a few days if it's going to work or not. If not, well, I give everyone who leaves a free box of doughnuts—except that kid I caught stealing.”

“Why do people leave?”

“I don't know. Maybe because the work is hard, or I'm a real jerk. It could be a combination of the two,” he smiled. “If you want to work here, no need for an application. I'll pay you $1.00 above the minimum wage.”

“Thanks for the offer. I'll follow up after I consider my options.”

“Okay, since you're such a tough negotiator, I'll pay you $2.00 more than the minimum and all the doughnuts you can eat.”

Tyler thought there was something a little unnerving about the man's desperation but thought all-you-can-eat doughnuts would be hard to beat. “Thanks! I may be in touch.”

Clint visited the first of several restaurants on the team's list. It was a large, family-oriented establishment, table service only. Since he was visiting in the afternoon, the place was a ghost town.

The few employees he could see looked busy. After standing at the front for a few minutes, he walked toward the back where someone noticed him.

“Hi, are you here to eat or drink beer?” a young lady asked.

“Well, I came in to talk about a summer job.”

“Jim! Kid wants a job!” the employee shouted at the top of her lungs. “He'll be out here in a minute. Want a beer?”

“No, I don't think so.”

“Just checking.” She smiled and wandered off.

A moment later, a very large man wearing a black tank top and a cowboy hat appeared. He looked at Clint and said nothing.

“Hi, are you Jim?” Clint asked.

“I am, and what's it to you?” The man seemed angry and Clint wasn't sure why.

“Nothing, sir. I just wanted to know if you are the right person to ask about a potential summer job?”

“That would be me,” the man said sharply. “Here's the deal: Dishes—60 hours a week. No overtime. Minimum wage. One meal per day, a free beer when you arrive, and another when you leave at the end of the day. When can you start?”

“Well, thanks for the offer. I'm just beginning to consider my options,” Clint said respectfully.

“Options!” he exclaimed with a chuckle. “Hell, you got no options here. Take it or leave it.”

“I think I've got all the info I need. Thanks for your time.”

As Clint turned to leave, Jim said, “Enjoyed meeting you—the offer stands. You can start anytime. Just come on in and grab an apron. No background check.”