After Jen and I came to the conclusion that working for the mafia in the espresso trade was not a good idea, we ventured off to find another espresso establishment as we found we were excellent baristas. There was a man, Hank, who had built an espresso stand on the Mukilteo Speedway right in front of the ferry line. It was a great location. Part of what he built included a back patio for customers to lounge on (which they never did). When we took the job it was the beginning of Summer, so it was reasonable for our selfish 18 year old minds to request if we could wear our bikinis to work and sunbathe when it was slow. At first, he wasn't a fan of the idea until I reminded him of the age old sales rule: SEX SELLS! Well, even though we were barely adults, we were given the green light to wear our bikinis to work. I am proud to say that Jen and I were the pioneers to the Bikini Barista fad before it became a "thing".
While the boss/owner likes things to be a certain way, that doesn't mean they're always right. For some God awful reason I have worked at a few establishments that believe that JAZZ is where it's at. It's not. Jazz blows. Hank wanted us to play Jazz music through the indoor/outdoor speakers for passerby's to listen to. "Okay, Hank. No problem. Will do." The second he'd leave, the Pink Floyd came on. And when Pink Floyd played...customers swarmed the place and I was guaranteed to be busy. When I shared this magical knowledge with him, he didn't like it. Simply because, I believe he wanted to be right. So whenever he was around and the Jazz played, we were dead. He just wouldn't listen!
Jen and I worked out a plan where we would run up the ferry line and take orders from cars and by the time they rolled down toward the stand, their drinks would be ready and we'd get a hefty tip. Sometimes, we'd get overwhelmed and I'd have to run all the way down to the loading area and quickly get people their drinks before they boarded. That was always stressful and very sweaty.
Bringing us to my last day at Hanks...
I had been sick with God knows what and was prescribed something that my body did not like. I got up at 4AM to be at work by 5AM. No problem, but my stomach was hurting. Then it hurt REAL bad like my stomach was literally tearing if I tried to stand up straight. I kept calling everyone on the call list and no one would answer their phone. I called Hank and he told me I had to stay, but I told him I was holding my face in the garbage can spitting - getting ready to hurl. Nope! Can't leave. Fuck that. I called my parents in tears because I just wanted to go home and I didn't know what the hell was wrong with me and it was scaring me. They came and got me and I locked up and left Hank a message that I was going home and sorry. I couldn't even drive.
Within 20 minutes of me being home, I started puking my brains out. Not only that, my body couldn't stop! I puked until there was nothing left and only dry heaving spasms - for 8 HOURS STRAIGHT!!! And what was the reward I got? "Let go." Also, an amazing ab workout that resulted in a fantastic 6 pack.
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