I had a pretty good job at a failing business. The owner of this place was doing some really sketchy things and bills weren't being paid. When my main boss was fired we all knew it was going down hill. One by one the people I worked next to were let go, where once sat a coworker was now just an empty chair. I knew every morning that today I would probably get let go. Finally my time was up. I took my small severance and filled unemployment. I sat around for a couple days wondering what in hell I was going to do. I decided with the severance and unemployment I had enough money to go on long road trip. The plan was perfect. I packed my truck, gave my room mates some extra money and off I went. The plan was that I would still have my unemployment checks sent to house and they would mail me the check to where ever the fuck I was. This was not a good plan, but it worked for a little while. So I make it out to Palm Springs, CA. I soon realized that even cathedral city and palm desert were way to expensive to stay at. But I was stuck until my friend mailed me check. I was down to my last 20 bucks and no check had arrived. My friend was not being timely. At this point I figured I had pretty much fucked myself. I need to fix it. So I went to a camp ground gave them my $20 for a nights stay and then went to a coffee shop that had a hiring sign. I got hired as an adsurdly over qualified barista. My shift started at 4am and I has happy to have the work. I am not such a happy person at 4am. So the first week goes by. I made cool with this old guy at the camp ground. He taught me how to forge my camp sticker so I didn't have to pay. I would go around and collect fire wood that people had left at site. all in all it was ok, poor, very poor but I was making it. But I absolutely fucking hated the barista thing. I worked with a bunch of super rich, palm springs, right out of a fucking movie high school kids. I was still in my early 20's and these fuckers made me feel ancient. So I show up to work (this day six or seven) at 4am. Kinda hung over because cool camp neighbor hooked me up with some beer and vodka of gods ( do not drink vodka of the gods....just dont do it) And the big boss guy is there. Im stacking breakfast muffins or whatever. He calls me to the back.
boss guy: Do you want to work at the fine establishment
me: Its 4:10...whats up
boss guy: Ive been told your not very smiley.
me: smiley?
boss guy: yeah, you need to smile more to the customers. you're not smiling now.
me: It is 4:11 now and there are no customers to smile at.
boss guy: Well if you want to cut it in this industry you need to be better at always smiling
me: this industry. you read my resume... yeah
boss guy: you need to smile
me: You fucking smile. here's my apron go stack the fucking muffins and I'm keeping the hat because I like it.
I was back to sleep on my not so comfortable blow up mattress by 5:30. Me and cool neighbor guy got all fucked up and my check came in the mail. Good times