There are three stories and the first one starts in the drive thru, I had school that day, so I had done my make up really nicely: black cat eye liner, mascara and a beautiful deep red lipstick. I was taking orders in back cash and one vehicle in particular I'll always remember.
A woman was having problems with the debit machine, she was getting frazzled and she started blaming me because I was the worker so it was obviously my fault. Suddenly, the little girl in the back rolls down her window and asks this beautiful question: "Mommy? Why is the lady so pretty?"
The lady completely deflated from her annoyed attitude, looked at her daughter and said "She's just pretty like that." The rest of the transaction went smoothly and I smiled the rest of my shift.
The next story is a little boy, three years old and wow could he talk! I took his happy meal order, and this was at the time we had just gotten transformer toys. His mom took him aside and I started taking her order next. I guess he'd been trying to get my attention for a while, but he finally just said really loudly, "Hey lady! I want that one please." While pointing to the transformer he'd rather have. The kid was three years old. He made my entire night.
And finally, a cute child who had a Power Rangers gun from his happy meal. I wasn't on a counter, but I was stocking it. I had just come up from taking an order in back cash and I began to stock up coffee cups. Suddenly from behind me I hear in a tiny, high pitched voice, "Freeze!"
I turned to look and here was the kid, holding his little gun up to me. I quickly put my hands in the air and acted surprised. "Oh no! You've caught me! Please don't kill me, I have so much to do!"
The little boy relaxed and smiled. "I'll let you live this time, but if I catch you stealing again you're outta here!" He was so cute I just had to laugh.
Now for some awesome news! I've been slaving away in McHells for almost a year now, and the only reason I was able to make a wage that matched other retail establishments was due to the minimum wage going up again. I've been dealing with bullshit managers, creepy coworkers and the blatant racism of being one of five workers who is not Filipino. And the racism isn't coming from the Filipinos.
I've been overworked, short changed and had to scramble for rent because they would refuse to give me enough hours to make it. I am finally on my way out of McHells and into a different job. Here in my spot of Canada the minimum wage is $10. If you work a job in my province that gets tips, you still get the $10 plus tips.
Remember Kawaii-chan? The awesome waitress who dealt with my cataplexy without batting an eye? Well her restaurant was hiring so I took my chances and dropped off a resume. Before I even managed to leave the building from dropping it off, she stopped me and offered me the job. I start tomorrow and I am so excited!
Out of one purgatory and into the next, although I think I'll like this one.
--Screaming Off Key
Good for you! Being someone who has done their time in fast food, I completely relate. Right now I'm trying to look for a second job or a decent paying job that I can survive on during this tough economy!
Posted by: Queer Geek | Monday, February 18, 2013 at 03:19 PM
That's great, congratulations!
Posted by: trekkiebabe | Monday, February 18, 2013 at 05:57 PM
Bravo! I hope you enjoy working at the same restaurant as Kawaii-chan.
And the three heavenspawn are always a nice touch to a day.
Posted by: The Last Archimedean | Monday, February 18, 2013 at 07:45 PM