On Call

I look at my phone for what seemed like the 50th time.  Still no calls.

Well, that’s just great!  How am I supposed to make any money if I’m not called in?  The call center needs a talented salesman like me, don’t they?

“What’s wrong?” A guy my age asked me.  It was Todd, my roommate.

“What do you think?” I told him.  “The Whirlwind Group hasn’t called back yet!  If I don’t work, I don’t get paid!  Don’t you understand that?”

Todd nodded and sighed.  “The construction company laid me off, man.  I’m collecting unemployment right now.  If I don’t find something soon, I might consider welfare.”

“Well, I hope you don’t,” I told him.  “People like me make up the lifeblood of the economy.  The more people work, the more they spend.  This eventually leads to more work.”

Todd nodded.  “I think that’s how it works, but it’s been forever since I had economics.”

I looked at my phone again and sighed.  “When are they going to call?  Next time I go in, I should tell them that whether I eat depends on how much work they give me.  Maybe they will give me more work.”

“I hope you find something, Justin dude.” Todd said, with a small smile.  “Now be quiet.  My show is coming back on.”

“And you’re putting a lot of work into job hunting, huh?” I said sarcastically.

Todd shook his head.  “No man!  I’m serious about finding something!  Just after this show, okay?  I never miss this show!”

While my roommate immersed himself in his show, filled with cops and criminals, I checked my phone again.  Still no call.

Being on call is a drag.  While you do get a vacation out of it, it can really hurt your paycheck.  I checked my phone again, hoping and praying for a call from the Whirlwind Group….

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©2012  K. L. Walker