An Entangled Life
Chapter 6: Working Day
(10 a.m. at the Clinic)
Martin sat in a chair looking in the want ads. He had to find a job. The people at the clinic were nice but he needed a real job. Even if he had to sleep at the clinic a little longer, he needed a job to get ahead. He was offered a paying job at the clinic but he turned it down. He knew they were strapped for cash already.
Then he saw a job asking for men to pack delivery trucks. All that was needed was a social security number and a clean criminal record.
My record's clean at least. – Martin
Martin got up and used the hospital phone.
"Place of residence?" the lady asked after getting all the other required information.
"I'm homeless," Martin said honestly, "but I'm currently allowed to reside in a clinic," he told her.
"Name of clinic?" the lady asked without interest.
Martin told her.
"Congrats you got the job, you start today at five," the lady said and hung up.
"Five…" Martin started.
I wanted a morning shift. – Martin
----
(4:30 p.m. at 'We are Movers')
Martin got off a bus and crossed the street.
I had to ask a nurse for bus fare. That's so embarrassing. – Martin
Martin was just glad that the workers were paid after every shift. He didn't need to wait for a week or a month for cash.
Martin hoped that the black #10 T-shirt, blue jeans, black sneakers and the backward black and red cap suited him. Nurse Judy Clement suggested that's how he should dress since he was a young looking twenty-two year old and it was best to play a slacker to downplay his green hair and lack of work experience.
Martin walked into the building and up to a receptionist.
"Hello, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked politely.
Martin recognized her voice.
Well she's a lot more polite. – Martin
"I'm here for the packer's job," Martin told her.
"Ah, the five o' clock shift," the receptionist said, "please take that elevator over there to the packer's floor," she instructed, "just press the button with the letter P on it," she added.
Martin just stared.
The receptionist soon looked at him. The polite attitude had completely disappeared.
"Take those stairs over there, and you'll get there," the receptionist said rudely as she pointed, "God," she whispered after he started walking away.
Martin swallowed his anger and kept walking.
I just need to earn some money. Not be babied by high nosed staff. – Martin
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Martin stood and listened as they were briefed. Their shift was from 5-11. No breaks. They rested and ate before they got there. The only break they should ever need is one to the bathroom. Those who worked this shift got extra because of the graveyard time (shift) and the fact that there were a whole lot less night packers than day packers. The blue uniform given to them should be worn when they enter the building and removed after completing their shift. Those who disobeyed would be fired. The job paid sixty dollars each shift and it was five days a week (Monday to Friday). After the briefing they were sent to dress.
Martin found the cotton for the shirts scratchy. He fidgeted slightly as he resisted the urge to scratch.
As soon as the supervisor finished talking they were off to work.
Martin reached for a box but he was rudely pushed aside.
"This is too big for you," a burly man said and took the box.
Martin nearly muttered expletives.
Instead he took a smaller box and walked over to the truck he was supposed to put it in.
Soon he was putting away a lot of boxes. Sometimes walking with six at a time…
Workers started staring.
The supervisors had to rub their eyes or wipe their glasses.
By nine Martin was still going. Not taking a break even once. Not even to catch his breath. A few workers stopped to watch. Martin was filling the trucks with boxes faster than anyone else.
He wasn't Flash. But he sure had a brisk walk for someone carrying a three-foot box filled with metal weights.
By ten o' clock Martin took a break. His body was feeling tired. Like the stamina that was in him earlier had been sapped out of him.
"Okay Martin you can finish your shift," a supervisor told him.
"But it's not eleven," Martin said tiredly.
"You were putting away so many boxes that we even gave you the extra boxes that the daytime packers didn't finish," the supervisor spoke, "the guys here are just hanging around now," he continued, "you finished their jobs more than half-hour ago."
Martin went bright red.
"Then I guess I can head home then," Martin said with a chuckle despite feeling completely exhausted.
Martin went to the cashier window and got his money. He even got an extra forty dollars for all the work he did. But it was made clear that this would only happen on day one.
"Thank you," Martin said and went to change into his regular clothes.
Just as he exited the building a hand blocked his path.
Martin looked to see the same burly man from earlier.
Martin sighed.
"Could you excuse me please?" Martin asked.
The man laughed.
"Jackson, I'm not in the mood," Martin said using the man's name.
Jackson grinned.
"You heard someone say my name," Jackson realized, "it's Jackson Smith."
"Martin Johnson," Martin introduced himself.
"Why you invading my turf Martin?" Jackson asked.
"Turf?" Martin asked looking into angry brown beady eyes with confused green ones.
"I'm the best packer here," Jackson revealed.
"Oh," Martin said.
"You're a problem," Jackson continued, "I get extra incentives because I do both night and early morning shifts," he revealed, "your speed can ruin that," he explained.
Martin looked up at the angry 6ft 4 Caucasian man in front of him.
"Maybe next time I'll let up," Martin said in response.
Jackson looked at Martin in surprise.
Just then Martin saw an opening and passed him.
"Hey," Jackson said and martin stopped, "don't slow down too much, and thanks," he added and left.
Martin looked back at Jackson.
Maybe he's not such a bad guy. – Martin
"You better watch it with that green hair," Jackson said as he walked away, "I could pummel you and no one would give you a defence."
Martin froze.
Did he just threaten me? – Martin
"Just walk away Martin," Martin whispered to himself, "just walk away."
Jackson watched as Martin walked briskly past him.
Something's up with that guy. And I'm going to find out what. – Jackson
Chapter 6