Another rainy day, “That’s it, I can’t wait any longer. I need a different way to make money, there’s just no way that I can mow lawns in the rain, there must be a another way!”
It was my junior year in high school when I decided mowing yards up and down my street in the rain was not working out! Maybe I could fine a job in a restaurant? Two of my friends had recently landed jobs in a restaurant; one was working as a car hop at A&W drive-in on Sandy blvd, the other at the Original Taco House on 82 ave. in Portland. They both said their jobs were a lot of fun!
Thursday after school I started looking for a job. I first asked for a job at the Chinese Grocery store on 74th where my parents shopped, but they only hired family. I said to myself, “Looking for work was going to be tough. “ So, I bought a Big Hunk candy bar for the energy!
Then I went to the Roseway Theater on Sandy blvd but they just hired someone the day before, after that Winchell’s Donuts on 75th & Sandy. Not hiring…I ate a doughnut so I could keep going!
Then over to Fred Meyer; filled out my first application…It was for a box boy. After that Dairy Queen across from the old Fire station just before you go down the hill into the Hollywood district I filled out another Application. It was hard work so I ate a Banana Split it was only $.75... I felt better!
Once in the Hollywood district I applied at Yaws Drive-in. It made me thirsty. So I had a Coke.
Next I drove over to Carmen’s Restaurant; I filled out another application… I needed to keep my strength up so I ate a hot Butter Horn with melted butter on the top… mmmm Good!
From there I drove further down Sandy Blvd to the 7Up bottling company; not hiring. Next over to Ponchos Mexican Restaurant… I filled out another application. I was told to wait… gee I thought… this is something new…. And by the way this was my very first interview.
The interview was only about five minutes long, but that’s all it took… I got the job! My very first job… a Busboy!
My new job would start on Friday after school from 4:30 pm to 11:30 pm, the days to be decided.
I was so excited about my new job! I wanted to drive home as fast as I could so I could tell every one. But first before going home for dinner I stopped at Taco Bell, for a small snack…Three Beef Tacos and a Combination Burrito.
Then after I got home and ate I told Mom and Dad the good news….This story is making me hungry!
To be continued...
Grandpa Tom
