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| Lisa Lee's Writing Page 8! |
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| The Nightmare--My Second Job (Part I) By Lisa Lee Contents |
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| Back To Top < Prev. Next> The Nightmare--My Second Job (Part II) is on next page! Contents |
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My first job in the U.S.A. was very ordinary, but my second job was as terrible as a nightmare. How come? When I worked in the gift shop nearly two months, my younger sister who worked in a bank told me that Lucky Financial Affairs Company had an opening for a bookkeeper. Betty, one of my sister's customers, was that company's bookkeeper, offering this news to her. Oh, bookkeeping was really a suitable job for me because I was a bookkeeper when I worked in Hong Kong. Then Betty called me and said that I would have a job interview with boss Mr. Chen, on Saturday at noon. I went to the Lucky Company on time. Mr. Chen was waiting for me in the office. In his early fifties, Mr. Chen was strong and looked younger than his age. He had a pair of deep-set, sharp eyes with frowning thick brows that made you feel he was powerful and fiery. He talked to me politely but indifferently. "Mrs. Lee, Betty told me that you are interested in this job. Do you have any experiences?" "I worked as a bookkeeper three years ago in transportation company in Hong Kong," I answered self-confidently. He said with a faint smile, "Fine. But I don't think you know how to do payroll, right?" I stirred in my seat. "Take it easy. You are lucky enough to have a chance to learn some new knowledge in my company, therefore, you have to work hard and be obedient." I said, "Yes. Thank You!" The he told me that he had one garment factory, one cutting factory, a meat store and six other companies. Whoa, what a big business he ran. Dear me, I would be worked like a horse. Mr. Chen read my mind and said, "You just take over betty's job. The other six companies are managed by my partner Mr. Tom. Betty will come to teach you next Monday at 8 AM." Then I asked, "What about my salary?" Mr. Chen said, "I am very generous. I will pay you $220 per week. Are you satisfied?" Actually, this wage was better than the gift shop's. I thought Mr. Chen was a reasonable boss. Somehow, though, I was a little bit scared of him. Next Monday morning, I went to the Lucky Company at 8. The office was empty. I sat on a chair and waited patiently. An hour passed; nobody came. At 9:30 AM, a man rushed in. He was sweating and breathing heavily. He muttered, "Miss, do you know where Mr. Chen is?" I said, "I don't know. Nobody's here." He sighed and paced nervously. About 10 O'clock, Mr. Chen walked in. He said, "Lam, why are you here?" The poor old guy said, "Boss we didn't pay the Con Edison bill last month, so..." The boss interrupted rudely, you old bloke, why didn't you pay it yourself?" Lam said, "I paid two bills from my own pocket already. I can't afford may more." Mr. Chen's face became red and he took his wallet out. He picked out $300, turned to me, said, "Lee, give me $200 from petty cash." I was astonished at his order. "I don't know where the petty cash is." His face turned purple. He yelled, "Ha! Do I pay you for sitting here like an idiot?" I protested, "Betty didn't come. I know nothing about your office." Mr. Chen looked around then threw a key on the desk and said, "Open the drawer and take $200 from the box for me." I handed him the money and counted the rest. Only $83 remained. I asked him to sign a receipt. He waved to Lam, "get out." then he glared at me. I insisted, "Please, I need to keep a record. How can I reach Betty?" "I don't know her new job's phone number. Just wait here for her." He signed the receipt and walked out hurriedly. I was holding the receipt and wondering what was going on. A financial affairs company could not pay a bill? That made me very confused. Where was my good luck in this Lucky Co.? I was afraid this was the beginning of a nightmare. |