I am finally home with a cup of tea and a handful of gingersnaps. It has been a crazy day. The phone rang at 9am. I barely had my eyes open and just recognized George Pierce on the phone. He asked me if I could come into work this morning. At 10am. I was stunned. I didn’t expect them to hire me let along call me in less than 18 hours after the interview!
After I hung up the phone, the panic hit! What to wear? Was I really hired? What to wear? Am I really starting today? Have to give notice at the Burger Bar! Oh my gods! What to wear? I dived through the shower and grabbed my best black jeans and a decent button up shirt. By the time I ran the brush through my hair it was time to go.
Of course my truck didn’t want to start. It’s an 80’s 4WD pickup. White with a blue interior, so of course I call it Blue. I finally got it going and headed to the office. I probably could have walked faster. I almost tripped running up the steps to the office. When I walked in, George was on the phone in the front office. The two other techs were busy, so I just stood in the doorway.
The first thing George asked me when he got off the phone was if I could start today. I stammered something about having to give notice at the Burger Bar and he handed me the phone. I called and asked to talk to Chuck. I started to explain that I was giving notice and he started yelling so loud I swear that everyone in the office could hear him. I must have blushed ten shades of red. The last thing Chuck said before he slammed down the phone was “You’re Fired!”
I hung up the phone and told George I could start right away as I’d just been fired. George patted my shoulder and asked me to follow him. I got the $5.00 tour of the office. It’s really an old house that they’ve converted just like so many businesses do around here. People start working at home and never seem to move out. Jake owns the actual building and is one of the original partners. His office is in the ‘master bedroom’. George’s office is in the front room and Kevin has a desk in the dining room. The front office is on the porch in a finished off section separate from the front door. Now it’s my office!
I have a desk, chair, a phone and a laptop. The laptop has a separate keyboard and mouse so I don’t feel like I’m typing on a postage stamp. It’s a neat setup. The laptop is a Panasonic Toughbook. Everyone in the office uses one and most of the vehicles have them too. They get them off Ebay. George reminded me to answer the phone ‘Blackthorne Computers’ and then left me to get acquainted with my office.
I don’t know who was doing the paperwork here, but what a mess. I think it will take me at least a week to organize it so that I can find everything. Right now, I’ll go for just recognizing where things are. At lunch time, I went home and grabbed all of my uniform tops from the Burger Bar. I dropped them off, and Chuck already had my last check ready. He threw it at me. Oh well. I cashed my check and headed for the Taco stand next to Safeway. No way I’d eat lunch at the Burger Bar any time soon.
I no sooner got back in the door from lunch when George popped his head in my office and asked me to come into the main area. Oh, and to bring paper and pencil. Geeep! It was a business meeting and I had to take notes. I felt so out of practice. Around 5pm, Kevin mentioned he was hungry, and that they’d take the meeting out to the local Pizza Hut and finish up there. I was about to excuse myself when George just handed me my bag and said I could ride with him. I was stunned. Flabbergasted. Amazed.
So, we talked business while we ate pizza. I didn’t have to take notes, just write up a summary of what was said tomorrow. When the ticket came, I was digging in my bag for my wallet to pay my share. Jake just smiled and said that the dinner was on the business card. No need to anti up. I must have been standing there with my mouth open because George just smiled at me and made some remark about catching flies.
Ten minutes later, I was back at the office to pick up my truck. It actually started without too much of a fuss. Hmm… maybe it likes being away from all the fry grease too!
I’m off to bed early tonight. Have to be in the office by 9am. Tea cup is empty and the gingersnaps are gone. Goodnight!
