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Show Number Fifteen And Unemployed. . . By Don Robinson The sign says, "Older Workers Please Take A Number And Be Seated. You Will Be Called For Interview By Number." I'm number fifteen. Fifteen what? There are two people in the waiting room. The guy at the counter is arguing about getting unemployment money. He looks guilty of what I don't know. I've got some money coming that way. I feel guilty of what I don't know. Man, is his jaw working. Tell them to go to hell man. Ask for a job. My number fifteen is very impressive. It's a plastic three by five inch, black and white document that came off a pile on the desk. I've got it in my pocket and I'm going to keep it. Wait until they find out they no longer have a number fifteen. That ought to stir up some consternation. Hey! Notice how all the people in the office came out to say hello? There's Bud and Blanche and Melba. Hell, I've got it made for a job, with those people looking out for me. There's Mrs. Stout, Marilyn, I think. She can tell them what I can do. I taught her son Steve damn good quartermiler ran with my boy Danny. What? Your name is Stan? So why tell me? You aren't an older person Stan; don't bug me Stan. You've been backpacking back-packing in Colorado and you're looking for a job here to earn some bread Stan? What's the thing with the pile of books you have there? "The Utah Story"? That's manure Stan. So you got them at the library, you can buy fertilizer in a dozen places in Moab. . I don't like you Stan. You're too young, too eager, too optimistic, too willing, too capable, too much that I... Well, hell, Stan. ..read your books. Why lay that on the kid. ..he doesn't even have a number. All he's got is a commodity I can't buy or remake. ..youth. "No Smoking Except In Designated Areas." There isn't any designated area that I can see. Do you have an "Older Worker" designated smoking area? The letter I received said, "Our records indicate you are unemployed or underemployed." underemploy-ed." That's a good start. That's me all right. "The Southeastern Utah Association of Governments in association with Job Service has hired me to offer special assistance to you if you desire it." I desire it. I've got my number fifteen right here in my pocket. Nobody else here seems to have a number. Read your books, Stan. You don't have a number Stan. ..tough. Yes, Mr. Petersen, I would like to see you. See that sign, Mr. Petersen? It says. "Yes, We Can Employ The Qualified Handicapped," Mr. Petersen. Mr. Petersen is tired. He's been this route before. I like him. How do you tell a man that he doesn't have a saleable product when he's worked gainfully for 25 years? What you're asking. Mr. Petersen, is what have I done lately? You've worked with recovering recover-ing alcoholics, Mr. Petersen? Tell me, Mr. Petersen, thj. one wants to hire a 1 Don't tell me I don't anything to offer at this & in life and at this time b, economy. I want work, j! Petersen, not sympathy' ' Thanks. Mr. Petersen . thanks, Mr. No Name, fop? advice that I ought to C school teacher. And, incidentally, if somebody out there who j ' like a number fifteen, "o Worker," I'm available. ' |