Covered in insect bites that are beginning to itch, it's once more into the Breach. A 2 month contract in hell, day one, the owner friendly, this is to be a temporary arrangement until the summer vacation, but if I know them they'll try to extend it...
The owner, he's a lot of opining to do, opinions on the new NDP government and how the conservatives could be so stupid (he blames Jim Prentice, an occasional customer.). Opinions on the TFW laws, which are going to make it impossible for him to stay in business, they're all being sent back, he's losing his sous-chef, returning to the Philippines, he can't find Canadians to work, he's brought in a journalist for lunch so he can stand and tell him how these laws will be closing down all the restaurants in the city...
I keep my opinions to myself. Read between the lines and his every argument for foreign workers is an argument against them, while I like them all they represent the vicious underbelly of exploitation: intolerable work conditions, long hours and low pay.
The nephew, when they talked me into it, he began to laugh, it's like giving you the monkeys paw, good luck getting rid of it, and while he's away to renew his temporary work permit I have a feeling he won't be trying to hard to come back, the boom days are over....
The days off have disappeared, they forgot to mention it, we're a server short, the three of us can man the restaurant, day and night, every open shift, until the vacation. G reassures me that we need the money, and then in the same breath mutters he wouldn't mind a day off so he can take out his girlfriend...No job deserves a day off more than this, but it's not going to happen...
And there are the customers, all the regulars comment on your return, surprise, some pleased, some dismayed, my pleasant attitude was wearing a little thin towards the end, my infinite patience now renewed for another 2 month contract, and then?