June, 2001: The Beginning
June, 2001: The Beginning
Prologue, Written June 10th, 2003
This is a journal about my job at a movie theater. It started at the end of my junior year of High School and lasted exactly two years. Geez, I went through a lot at this job. At one point, the company filed for bankruptcy and my theater closed, but that wasn't the end. Although, maybe it should have been.
Job Journal Entry: Sunday, June 10, 2001.
Last Monday, I went on an interview at a Regal movie theater (Ridge Cinema). Since they had yet to call, I assumed I did not get the job and was ready to pursue other possible options. Then, about 20 minutes ago, they finally called to tell me I was hired.
That's when it hit me: why the hell did I want to work in a movie theater? Oye! What if it really sucks? And the uniforms- yuck! But, ok, let's get right down to it here: job = money, money = stuff. It's all good, right? I do love movies, and this summer promises to be a big hit with movies such as Tomb Raider, A.I., and Planet of the Apes just to name a few. And hey, I've always thought it would be cool to be nocturnal. Sleep during the day, work at night. Maybe I'll develop adaptive night vision like a cat. That would be cool.
Job Journal Entry: Wednesday, June 13, 2001.
The first day is over and done with. The job seems easy enough, but the late hours suck. Almost everyone I work with is old and has been working there their entire lives. Well, that's it.
Job Journal Entry: Friday, June 15, 2001.
After working my second shift, I now know that this job is totally AWESOME. I worked with some really cool people, learned the dirty little secrets of the movie theater food industry and got paid for doing it.
Ok, I was working with this long hair gothic type guy (who actually wasn't old) and the manager was also a young, long hair, gothic type. This was super cool for a few reasons. First of all, the three of us just sat around and chit chatted, there was none of that "I'm the manager, bow down to me!" stuff. These guys talked on and on about every single kind of video game they play, movie they see, and trench coat they wear. Also, they kept talking to a display of "Lora Croft" advertising Tomb Raider (which I hear sucks). Now, a normal person might find all of that scary (especially the part about the trench coats and wishing there was a video game were the player was the bad guy, like a terrorist or something), but I thought it was all interesting and entertaining.
At the end of the night, we had to clean up all the stuff and count everything. I'll make this short by saying the clean up method on the popcorn machine is questionable and the chemicals used on everything are, perhaps, unsafe. Knowing what I know now, I probably won't ever buy popcorn or fountain drinks from a movie theater. That's that.
On the bad side, I didn't get out of work until past midnight which is when I promptly made a bad choice and got very lost driving home. This is funny considering I only live 13 minutes away and only have to make one turn to get from the theater to my house. Anyway, after cruising around for about 45 minutes I gave up and called for back-up. Thank goodness my older brother was home and quickly able to come to my rescue (It was a short while later that I realized had I driven down the road another 30 seconds, I would have known exactly where I was).
So, that's all I have to say at the moment. Tonight this job might take on an uglier appearance considering it's my first Friday and the opening of Tomb Raider. We'll see what happens.
Job Journal Entry: Sunday, June 17, 2001.
Today was interesting. I worked with someone I haven't worked with before and they were just plain annoying. Also, one of my managers had a major hang over and was, therefore, in a terrible mood. Moreover, the same manager said that either I or the person I was working with messed up our money and was "drastically short." I don't know why he didn't tell us which one it was, but he had left to go recount the money. Before he returned, I was able to leave early. I don't know how I could mess up the money in a cash register, so maybe it was the other person. Anywho, I probably won't ever hear anything else about it. Well, that's that.
Job Journal Entry: Monday, June 18, 2001.
This day proved to be interesting in it's own boring way. I was alone for most of the time which was very, very monotonous. I found a few things with which to amuse myself. First of all, at the church across the street, there was a funeral. I could see the parking lot from the concession stand which was cool, because when the hearse pulled out, it was almost hit by another car.
In other news, I worked with a new guy who really wasn't new (he worked there a couple years ago). He said his name was Dangerfield. I thought this was a joke... but it wasn't.
I can't really remember what else occurred on this day. It's all just becoming a blur that has me wondering what's happening to my summer. After all, I haven't gotten to see any of my friends and I am, instead, forced to try and forge alliances with the people I work with, which is proving difficult. Well, that's that.
Job Journal Entry: Wednesday, June 20, 2001.
Yesterday I had a day off...wow
Today I got my first pay check. It was for a whole $27 dollars... wow again
I was all alone today and left to my own devises for 7 hours. An auditor showed up at the theater (and never left) so everything had to be squeaky clean and perfect. Blah. Some stupid customer tried to get me in trouble (and I think succeeded). The movie he was watching wasn't working right and all this other junk. He started yelling and screaming... grrr... stupid pansy.
Anyway, I have tomorrow off. Unfortunately, my mom has planned a big day for the two of us so we can "bond." I just have to keep remembering why I'm working. Besides to have something to do, I want the money. I want the money so I can buy a car. Not just any car, but a Volkswagen van. I have my eye on one such van at the moment and I should be able to afford it in three weeks. Anyway, that's all I have to say at the moment.
Job Journal Entry: Monday, June 25, 2001.
Hehe, last night was a lot of fun. Yes, work was fun. When customers asked for food, we (my co-worker and I) wouldn't give it to them. A kid would be like, "Can I get a small popcorn?" to which we would reply "No." This went on for hours. Other highlights included a fight to the death with Windex and "Speedball." I, with "Speedball," lost. During my break, I "chilled" with that gothic type guy while he listened to Marylin Manson and smoked a "cigarette..."
I work with this one guy that has no personality. Last night he was like "So, does your husband come in here often? And what about your kids?" I'm 17, not married and with no children, so I thought he was making a joke. I waited and waited for the punch line, but there was none. He was serious...
Anyway, I love my job. Most of the people I work with are awesome. I'm reminded of that phrase that is thrown at me so often: "These are the best years of your life." This could be true. After all, it's summer, I'm now a senior in high school and, of course, I have a job I like. What more could I ask for? Hehe
Home | July
