Odd Jobs Read Free Page B

and stay off his radar. As Bino passes, he nails me with his shoulder and nearly knocks me over. He says, “What a pussy. I lost 350 bucks because you couldn’t make it ‘til lunch time.”

    Yup, I’m pretty stealth flying under the radar, I say to myself.

    Inside the Tongue Room, life isn’t much better. I’m ripping bones and peeling off skin like a pro, but the comments keep flying at me. They’re examining my every move, and Old Ear-hair is really starting to ride me. “Let’s go, college-boy. I never finished high school, but I calculate that you’re about five tongues behind the rest of us.”

    Felipe says, “You think you’re too good for this, don’t ya?”

    Why did he say that? This guy was helping me before; how did I lose him? I don’t have any problems with these guys. Christ, they’re all making an honest living and trying to get by. I appreciate that. All us college interns start with two strikes because we’re getting money without paying union dues, but I always show respect to the guys. I thought I was okay with them. It’s amazing how many places I can’t fit in.

    I’m trying to stay low and not get into it with anyone; but the shit just keeps coming. Felipe thinks it’s funny to call me princess and he won’t stop. “Here’s another tongue for you, princess. You missed a spot on this one, princess. Your highness, are you ready for another tongue?” I have to start defending myself.

    “Shut the fuck up, Felipe.” I can see this outburst catches Georgie by surprise. “I’m working like everyone else. I’ve always done my job and never gave anyone a hard time. I got banged up last night and I fucked up. It’s not your business and it doesn’t affect you, so stay the fuck out of my face.”

    “You put that face knee-deep in animal parts and you’re worried about me being in your face?”

    The others start laughing, Lily the loudest. So much for trying to defend myself.

    Even the tongues are copping an attitude with me. Look at that one, just dying to chime in. That’s what I need, talking cow tongues. I can see what this fat bitch is thinking. Why does every situation turn out like this? Can’t you deal? I hear it saying.

    I’m thinking, Like you’re one to talk. You’re about to land on some shriveled old man’s rye bread and you’re giving me advice?

    Don’t take it out on me. Live your life, don’t live someone else’s, the tongue replies. Look, you hold down like 80 jobs to get through college, but you don’t give a shit about college or your classes. You just want a piece of paper so you can make big bucks, like your friends .

    And the problem is...?

    I can see its smug expression. You’re too impressed with money. It’s all you think is important, and you keep chasing it, like a stupid hamster running on a wheel. Not only are you missing out on what’s important, but you keep winding up in the Tongue Room. You always end up in the Tongue Room, one way or another.

    I can’tlet a fucking tongue talkback to me like that. Listen up, Tongue. I’m not asking anyone to give me anything. I’m willing to do what it takes. I’m doing the work. I don’t have to just fall in line with everyone else. It’s not a sin to want more, to make a situation better.

    Dude, when have you ever made the situation better?

    I get things going. I’ve done stuff, I answer, feeling a little defensive now.

    Yeah, you get things started, but that’s it. You get used or you blow a good thing and, of course, you wind up in the Tongue Room.

    Maybe this time I learned, I think. It can’t get lower than the Tongue Room. Things can’t get worse. They gotta get better. This, you fat, slimy, ugly tongue, is the low point; it’s all up from here.

    Bullshit! counters the tongue. It’s sneering at me; at least I think it is. All you had to do here was some simple manual labor. Just bite your tongue, pardon the expression, and do your fuckin’ job. But you want to go out