found drama

It was the summer of 2001 and I had recently graduated from college. It was even pre-9/11 and things were tough in the job market. Having graduated in May, I spent all day, every day applying for jobs and going on interviews — for three months. When I wasn’t noosed into a tie on the wrong side of an interviewer’s desk, I was combing through the paper looking for full time jobs. Granted, I had a B.A. is Psychology and was looking primarily for graphic design or web developer jobs but after the first 30 days, there was no use being picky. My mantra became: “Yes, I can _____.” …answer support calls for the cable company. …work the 7-11 register. …clean up animal poop.

If it was full time, I was submitting my resume.

After three months though, the patience wore thin and I decided that anything (even part time work) was better than pulling no weight at all. After July’s crushing defeat (past second round interviews for a killer graphic designer position only to be turned down the day before my wedding), I humbly submitted applications to that many more part time jobs and eventually came up with hit.

I would be answering phones for a small start-up; doing everything from sales and orders to working with the vendors to customer service. Fair enough; room for growth and all that. I cannot admit that I was thrilled about the job even though I was thrilled about having a job.

That said, on my first day, I’m getting something of a mini-orientation from the morning-shift operator. How the place is laid out, how the files on the computer are stored, how to work the phone, etc. At one point, I notice this tank of fish sitting by the door. It has four little goldfish in it plus a significantly larger black fish that looks like it’s in some related genus — all fluttery fins and majestic tail.

When it slowed down (after about 20 minutes or so), I ask, off-handedly: “What’s up with the fish?”

The morning-shift operator nodded and replied, “Feng shui.”

“Isn’t the boss Jewish?”

“And? Anyway, he paid some woman to come in recently and do a little feng shui analysis on the building. You know, for good luck in the business and auspiciousness and all that. Anyway, she advised that he get six goldfish and one black fish.”

I look again. 1… 2… 3… “But there are four goldfish.”

“Yeah, the black fish keeps eating the other fish.”

(for Sue)

About Rob Friesel