Trying to remember where we were when we heard the song: "Take This Job and Shove It", for now it escapes me, but Mr. Bill was laughing out loud. As I write articles for this blog, I ask him to give me ideas, feedback, moments in time and so on. Sometimes he knowingly obliges, other times, he hasn't a clue he's just given me inspiration, but that song, oh that song,such fodder for an article.
Twenty five years ago, around this time of year, "The Brothers" decided the Egg-Nazi and I would be the new owners of Fred's News. Emil, one of "The Brothers" approached Mr. Bill, explaining his decision. Mr. Bill immediately called me. At the time I was working as a Vocational Director for a program serving the Developmentally Disabled, a position dear to my heart. Yet the opportunity to be business owners of a well established much sought after location, required immediate answers and actions. All the necessary paperwork, legal mumbo jumbo and everything else was completed by July, just before Mr. Bill's birthday on the 19th of that month.
Along with this turn-key operation, everything from top to bottom, including the employees were ours. Of course Mr. Bill and I knew we would be there everyday, all day until we had established ourselves, we also knew we could not afford all the personnel that came with the place...decisions had to be made...pink slips written out, this wasn't going to be easy. All of the employees had served "The Brothers" well, each had their own following and personalities. Mr. Bill had been working at the place for over two years, he knew who had to go and who would stay on. Of course it wasn't Mr. Bill that was going to hand out the pink slips, I had the honor. I had figured our finances, explained them to the Egg-Nazi, along with the reasons behind the whys. In agreement, he was more than happy to cut a few loose. We had decided that Barbara, would stay. She had been the backbone of the place, a longtime girlfriend of Fred, one of "The Brothers", she actually ran the place, we would need her expertise. She agreed to stay a couple of months, wanting to retire and travel with her Sister. We immediately agreed. Johann the Nephew....Great, also part of the agreement was ours. What to do with Johann? We wanted to change the image of the place, the pros and cons deliberated, the question continually popped up, much like the elephant in the room, it needed to be discussed...What to do with Johann? First, strict orders, you work for us, you need a MUCH cleaner appearance...and if I hear one more time.."My Uncle wouldn't have done it this way", bodily harm could come your way. Our association with Johann the Nephew ...Great, as an employee was short-lived. He did continue to frequent the place, appearing dirtier and more grubby than ever, but not behind the counter.
A couple of the other employees had let us know they would be seeking employment elsewhere, one visibly upset "The Brothers" hadn't chosen her as their successor, the other just plain ornery, announcing, "I will never work for you!" For the record, she was speaking of Mr. Bill, their relationship on the morning shift, extremely turbulent. Even that description, a tad bit on the mild side. Nonetheless, we signed the legal documents and returned to Fred's News with Emil, one of "The Brothers". He said his good-byes to everyone, wishing them well, cleaned out the cash register and left. I handed out pink slips, explaining our decisions. Mr. Bill's morning partner quickly headed to the old jukebox, dropped in a quarter and for the next two and a half minutes, the little restaurant was filled with the "SONG OF THE MOMENT", Take This Job and Shove It! As the music subsided, the patrons laughter arose, smiles from everyone, we knew it was a new beginning, yet we had no idea what effect our little place would have on this community and its neighbors, For that we are very thankful!
Twenty five years ago, around this time of year, "The Brothers" decided the Egg-Nazi and I would be the new owners of Fred's News. Emil, one of "The Brothers" approached Mr. Bill, explaining his decision. Mr. Bill immediately called me. At the time I was working as a Vocational Director for a program serving the Developmentally Disabled, a position dear to my heart. Yet the opportunity to be business owners of a well established much sought after location, required immediate answers and actions. All the necessary paperwork, legal mumbo jumbo and everything else was completed by July, just before Mr. Bill's birthday on the 19th of that month.
Along with this turn-key operation, everything from top to bottom, including the employees were ours. Of course Mr. Bill and I knew we would be there everyday, all day until we had established ourselves, we also knew we could not afford all the personnel that came with the place...decisions had to be made...pink slips written out, this wasn't going to be easy. All of the employees had served "The Brothers" well, each had their own following and personalities. Mr. Bill had been working at the place for over two years, he knew who had to go and who would stay on. Of course it wasn't Mr. Bill that was going to hand out the pink slips, I had the honor. I had figured our finances, explained them to the Egg-Nazi, along with the reasons behind the whys. In agreement, he was more than happy to cut a few loose. We had decided that Barbara, would stay. She had been the backbone of the place, a longtime girlfriend of Fred, one of "The Brothers", she actually ran the place, we would need her expertise. She agreed to stay a couple of months, wanting to retire and travel with her Sister. We immediately agreed. Johann the Nephew....Great, also part of the agreement was ours. What to do with Johann? We wanted to change the image of the place, the pros and cons deliberated, the question continually popped up, much like the elephant in the room, it needed to be discussed...What to do with Johann? First, strict orders, you work for us, you need a MUCH cleaner appearance...and if I hear one more time.."My Uncle wouldn't have done it this way", bodily harm could come your way. Our association with Johann the Nephew ...Great, as an employee was short-lived. He did continue to frequent the place, appearing dirtier and more grubby than ever, but not behind the counter.
A couple of the other employees had let us know they would be seeking employment elsewhere, one visibly upset "The Brothers" hadn't chosen her as their successor, the other just plain ornery, announcing, "I will never work for you!" For the record, she was speaking of Mr. Bill, their relationship on the morning shift, extremely turbulent. Even that description, a tad bit on the mild side. Nonetheless, we signed the legal documents and returned to Fred's News with Emil, one of "The Brothers". He said his good-byes to everyone, wishing them well, cleaned out the cash register and left. I handed out pink slips, explaining our decisions. Mr. Bill's morning partner quickly headed to the old jukebox, dropped in a quarter and for the next two and a half minutes, the little restaurant was filled with the "SONG OF THE MOMENT", Take This Job and Shove It! As the music subsided, the patrons laughter arose, smiles from everyone, we knew it was a new beginning, yet we had no idea what effect our little place would have on this community and its neighbors, For that we are very thankful!
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