Back in the days of working as a long distance operator there were a lot of interesting characters that we met. Amazingly, although some of [url=http://don.oninohana.com/blog/?postid=13]our “regular” customers[/url] with whom we spoke were very quite odd, I think what made the job more interesting were some of our coworkers. At the busiest times (the center would hire summer help for the summers), the operator population was split about 50/50; people under the age of, let’s say, 28 and those (mostly women) over the age of 40.
The women who had been there for some time were comfortable with their positions and were generally happy to be doing their jobs and going home. Being union represented employees, most had some seniority so they got the hours they wanted, plenty of vacation, great benefits and excellent pay for being “unskilled”. Very few had any desire to move up in the company or change anything about the work environment. So, I think it was safe to say that some felt, not threatened because the union had their backs, but a little intimidated by the influx of young temps and new-hires (of which I was a part) who were coming in at a time when the technology and work place was changing. Truth be told, they really had nothing to worry about as very few of us had much interest in making any moves within the company or staying on past a couple of years. It was a pretty good gig for us and there were a lot of stories that came about from the interaction of this interesting cast of characters.
Here’s one to get started: I’m calling it [b]Funny or Happy?[/b]
Tim was a tall, dark haired guy who I thought probably enjoyed listening to [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiths]The Smiths[/url]. He wore a long, black trenchcoat, faded jeans, tanker boots and fingerless gloves when he came into the office from those cold New England winters. I’m pretty sure he was going to school part time and he struck me as a pretty smart guy. Although pretty quiet, he could always be counted on for a funny one-liner during the many training sessions that we had to endure. Tim was also involved in an extramarital affair with a late twenty-something woman with a wealthy husband who probably worked a lot and a young kid at home and who also happened to be working in our office. But that’s not what this story is about….
Tim was on one of the many teams that encouraged the employees to get involved and motivated to help increase the efficiency and knowledge of the operators. I was on the Quality Team, for example. This involved weekly meetings to brainstorm ways to increase the level of customer service that we provided to our customers. It was a great way to get “off the boards” for a few hours a week and actually use your mind while at work. Anyway, Tim was tasked with delivering some kind of training that his team had come up with. When it was my turn to take the training, apparently there was no one else who needed to be trained at that time, so it was just Tim and me in a conference room for 30 minutes or so.
I remember coming in, sitting down and making small talk. Then Tim looked at me with a hint or seriousness in his eye and asked “So, would you rather be funny or happy?” (or something like this…I can’t remember exactly – seem my last paragraph for more information)
I thought this a bit odd, but figured it was part of the training package, so I answered “Funny.” That was my personality at the time.
Without missing a beat, he launched into a 10 minute discussion/lecture about this subject that was definitely NOT part of the corporate training. His pauses were perfect and kept me wanting to hear more. His word choice was excellent and the final “punchline” of the story of a man who was reflecting on the idea of whether it was better to be funny or happy was in fact, both funny and poignantly touching.
I remember thinking that this Tim was one smart cookie and a very cool character. I could see how Lauri might dump her husband in favor of him. After this, I sought Tim out during breaks and free time in order to hang out with him. I was hoping to catch some witty words of wisdom or that some of his coolness might rub off on me.
Some time later, maybe a few months, maybe a year, I don’t remember now; I was reading my friend and roommate Chris’s copy of the latest [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_RollinsHenry Rollins[/url] book when I was shocked to run across the same story that Tim had told me that day. Now, most of us would recognize the same story whether it was the general outline or even just a similar retelling. Tim’s words were exactly as written in that book. It’s like he was reading it off the back wall, just over my shoulder after having practiced his delivery a few times before I came in the room. I was really taken aback. My respect for Tim as a hip, smart, funny guy was completely gone. The bastard had memorized the whole story and offered it to me without a single reference to the author! His choice of material was great (probably the best in that whole book) and he managed to keep a little of my respect for having good taste in authors (we were definitely on a Rollins kick at that time).
Whatever happened to Tim? I don’t really recall. I think he got the subject of his affair to leave her husband but then dumped her after a while. I think I remember someone telling me they saw him buying Crack in the less savory part of Worcester, but I’m not sure if that’s true or not.