When we first came down, I had put out some temporary office work feelers. This involved filling out about a dozen online temp worker things for the BR area. To this day I have not received any leads from that. I had done some work with a friend of mine, but after he didn't return my calls for 2 weeks when he owed me money for a job, I decided to not pursue further professional entanglements with him.
However, the need for money hasn't really been a big issue. As you may know I have been living rent-free and somewhat expense-free for a while now. Besides the occasional work, I've kept busy running errands, playing Madden and honing my Wii Sports skills. I'm Pro Level at tennis, bowling and golf. Hells yeah!
But, the wife says those days are over because we need money. That means plan B for jobs.
I am still looking for jobs in Austin and will be moving there within a month. But I need something now. My BR jobs prospects are limited: I don't want to screw over any managers by taking an opening, then scuttling off. I know the hell it is to be understaffed because of flaky employees. So I cruised the classifieds and the only ad that really seemed to fit my situation was the ad that read: LABOR FINDERS, daily labor daily pay, wear work boots and bring 2 forms of ID. Daily pay. 5474 North Blvd.
Of course there were no numbers or office hours listed, so I looked them up on the internets and was able to find a number for the office. I called and the guy that answered growled that they had lots of work and that I should get there at 5:30am. So last Friday, with all other employment options exhausted, I found my way to Labor Finders.
I rolled up there at 5:25a with jeans, work boots and a bandana in my pocket. People were strewn about outside, some sleeping on the sidewalk, others pacing back and forth. The demographics closely matched those of the people I counseled in Bawlmer. For most, their appearances were the same, too. They wore torn and stained shirts and pants. Some reeked of alcohol and all smelled of stale cigarettes and unwashed clothes. Mostly were over 40 and worn down by god knows what. I swear the back of one man's neck looked and moved like leather.
As soon as the guy arrived and opened the doors, we all shuffled in and formed a line to sign in. After signing in, the first guy dutifully turned on the tv mounted on the wall. The local dinky-ass morning show was on. Apparently there was amassed at Tiger Stadium 1,000 fans at some predawn party for the CBS nationally syndicated morning show. After signing in, the men sat around and stared and shared stories. One guy was really yapping on and on about the work he had done that week and how it was good that he had worked 4 days straight and that it may rain today and did you have a cigarette and so forth.
I went to work filling out my application. I thought it odd that they asked for my educational background. I circled the 4 by Years of College for it was the maximum education level on the paper. I finished it and turned it in, then sat and watched tv. The book I brought to read stayed in the car. I didn't want the others to think I was some pussy and beat me up.
I sat and sat and smelled the room. Periodically, the manager guy behind the plexiglass would grunt and growl people's names. His voice really was shot. (Think contemporary Bob Dylan, but worse) The louder he yelled, the more incomprehensible it was. He primarily communicated work availably work by pounding on the glass to get everyone's attention. Then he'd point at the lucky worker-to-be.
Hours went by and my name wasn't picked. At about 8:30a I left and ate a steak, egg and tater-tot wrap from Jack in the Box. It was ridiculous and probably constituted 2000 calories, but I figured I needed that for a day of labor.
I returned to the office and waited. The crowd had thinned out considerably since sunrise. It was just me and a few others, including the guy that was carrying on and on about all the work he had been doing recently. He sat slumped over a table and slept on his arm. I figured it was safe enough now to read my book, especially since the alternative was to watch Martha Stewart.
Yes, the Martha Stewart Show was on and none of the laborers got up to change the channel.
At about 10a, the manager guy kicked everyone out and told us to try back tomorrow. He informed me that it sometimes took a few days for him to find work for everyone, but that he'd take care of me and that I should come in tomorrow. I said okay knowing full well that I was going to be tailgating all day and that there wasn't a chance in hell I'd come in at 5:30 on a fucking Saturday anyway.
I returned to the pad, able to comfortably play video games and drink beer having made a legitimate try for work.
The end.
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