A Date With Ignominy
(This happens right after my aunt had died unexpectedly at age 62. I have taken the week off to be with my family.)
Manager: “Hey, [my name], can you cover my shift tomorrow night?”
Me: “No, I’m off the rest of the week. Remember?”
Manager: “Yeah, I know, but I really need you to come in tomorrow night and cover the store.”
Me: “I can’t. Tomorrow is my aunt’s funeral.”
Manager: “Yeah, I know, but that’s in the morning, isn’t it?”
Me: “Yes, but I really don’t think I’ll be in any shape to work after my aunt’s funeral.”
Manager: “Well look, I have a date tomorrow night with this really hot guy, but I’m supposed to be here to cover the store and process shipment and no one else can cover, so I really need you to come in from 4 until close. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t an emergency ’cause no one else can come in!”
Me: “Wait, you want me to come in, process the entire shipment, and cover the store by myself after my aunt’s funeral so you can go on a date?!”
Manager: “Yeah, what’s the big deal? They’ll have buried her by then anyway, so it’s not like you’ll miss anything.”
Me: “Seriously?! Okay, tell you what: I’ll come in tomorrow, but only to turn in my keys and name tag. Good luck on your date.”
(I ended up getting a work study job through school that paid much better and even helped me earned credit towards my major. My manager was fired a few months after I quit for drinking in the store and sexually harassing an employee.)
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?