Chapter 5: Race and Applications
One mild second Saturday of October 2020, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri at the office building in Wexford that we met at a few days prior for a meeting. We also saw one of James's old friends, Molly, at the meeting. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "I am interested in applying for a position for party organizer at the new Ross Township office," Molly told us. "One of the main problems that we have in this country with jobs is race." "Why is that?" James asked. "Some people see blacks or females as minorities, especially regarding what happened after the George Floyd protest earlier this year," Molly stated. "What does race have to do with parties?" Henri asked. "The company can hire anybody they would like to, nowadays." "Yes, but it wasn't always like that, Henri," I explained. "By the way, where do you live?" "I live out in Sewickley," Molly replied. "The last time we met you, we saw you working at a Party City store in Robinson Township," Sarah remembered. "Are you still working there?" "Yes, I still work there," Molly replied. "But, it is time for me to switch things up a little bit. When I first heard about this company, I thought that it sounded like a lot of fun." "Wow, you have only had this one job," James remarked. "We have had so many different jobs over the years- from the Woodland Hills Foundation a few miles up the road to working at Creative Citizens Studio near Angel's apartment in Highland Park to working for the original Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties office in Monroeville." "Angel has helped us out with all of that," Sarah asked. "And, we helped her when she transferred Goodwill stores from Lawrenceville to Cheswick last year." "That reminds me," I told my friends. "It was exactly one year ago when you first became interested in this company. I remember that great day of us eating Mexican food at El Campesino and my friends finding out about the job." "You can work for the company, as long as you don't arrange any wild parties like you had at 16 years old," Sarah pointed out. "Yeah, and Sarah and I weren't even invited," I added. "Don't worry, these parties are professional, meaning that adult supervision is required at all times," James explained. "This is meant for kids and teenagers whose parents are unable to help plan and supervise parties. You might have actually needed that back when you were a teenager." "What about Halloween parties?" Henri asked. "Trick-or-treaters absolutely need supervision this year due to the coronavirus. Will we have a Halloween party at the office?" "Probably not because of the coronavirus, Henri," James stated. "That was fun handing out candy to younger kids." "We have also got many different internships over the years," I explained. "Like our ice cream intern for Creative Citizens Studio during summer 2019 and our Saturday slumber party intern for this calendar year. We have had so many cool and unique themes, rather than just an ordinary sleepover. These themes included the spa, fashion, rock stars, my band, Angel Kitty, cooking and eating food, the '80s decade, living life in Hollywood, and most recently, candy and sweets. What's next?" "We will find out next week, Angel," Sarah told me. "I am glad that you were open to trying a different location than you guys are used to," I told my friends. "We are glad, too," James agreed. "The northern suburbs are okay, but the eastern suburbs are much better," Sarah agreed. "Well, I like the northern and western suburbs of Pittsburgh best," Molly stated. "It is away from the city, but it still offers views of nice neighborhoods." "The eastern suburbs offer views of nice neighborhoods, too," Sarah pointed out. "But, we kindly respect your opinion." "And, we kindly respect yours, too," Molly agreed. "Great job, guys!" I praised my friends. "We do not have to agree on everything in order to be best friends." After our meeting was over, Sarah, James, and Henri drove me back to Mom's apartment in Highland Park. "Thanks for a great evening, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"