When Management Goes MIA
Edward, just finished up a maintenance contract for a customer was cruising home through the city streets, stomach growling sounding like a bear snoring. He was passing by all these eating spots – Chinese food, pizza joint, that taco truck that's always that he passes by everyday and they are always have a long line – but he couldn’t decide on what he wanted at that moment.
Then he started smelling something in the air that was so familiar that led him straight the to this hamburger joint. (I would say there name, but I’m not trying to get sued for nothing). Something in my head was saying, "Edward, keep driving," just keep going but my stomach's like, "Nah, PULL UP!."
Edward pulled into the drive-thru. Everything seems cool. Place his order – just a simple Number 12, nothing special. Roll up to the window, handed over the money like a normal. She passed me my ice cold lemonade drink, with condensation dripping down the sides. Edward took the top off the drink and started drinking before she handed him a straw.
Edward: Ahh! That hit the spot! "Okay, that should cool my insides down."
Five minutes pass.
Ten minutes pass.
The ice was starting to melt now.
Fifteen minutes pass.
Now he’s all up my steering wheel looking through the drive thru window and see her walking towards him and open the drive thru window and say.
Burger Joint Employee: Sir, could you backup behind the reflecting red tape. Thank you
She had a look that was saying I’m a fast food veteran and I do not have time for the games today. And Edward had a look saying what’s taking so long, do I have to come and cook it myself. Damn!
Edward the nice guy he is backed up and he waited and waited and waited some more.
FORTY. WHOLE. MINUTES. LATER.
The sun damn near was about to down, he could see the traffic building up on the freeway, and he was still sitting there waiting on that measly Number 12.
Burger joint employee: Here you go sir, sorry for your inconvenience.
Edward: You working by yourself or something?
Burger joint employee: Yes sir
Damn this young lady been holding down the whole restaurant BY HERSELF. At 2 PM! Not midnight, in the afternoon! No after 1 o’clock the second lunch rush!
Like, what kind of management is this? Why do they have ONE employee to run a whole fast food restaurant during lunch hour? That’s not a good look for your business and this is supposed to be a RESTAURANT.
Edward was even mad at the wait time anymore – considering what that young lady going through she's out here fighting to keep a stubborn owner business flowing working by herself she needs to be the manager with every benefit package available.
Edward: You can keep the change and here’s a $20 for you also.
Edward ate his lukewarm Number 12 in silence, thinking about the state of things. And he started using the burger joint worker as motivation to certain situations in his life.
Next time, I'm listening to my conscious, and not my stomach.