American Idiot: The Story, chapter 11
It was early October now. I needed to get a real life, so that's what I was doing. I hit the road again, looking for a job. I found this place on East 12th Street. It was some kind of facility. It a had a sign on the door: "Help Wanted. No Previous Experienced Required". Perfect. A place where they didn't need experience. I walked inside and and saw a desk. A girl with long dark hair was sitting there, writing something down. She looked just like Whatsername. My heart started to beat faster. What if it was her? I walked up to it and cleared my throat. The girl raised her head and I saw her name tag. It said "Jessica". I was dissapointed. I was hoping it was Whatsername.
"Yes?" Jessica said
"Um, yeah. I'm here to apply for the job."
"Oh, right. Okay. Just have a seat and the manager will interview you."
"Uh, okay." I sat down on one of the chairs she was pointing at. I kept looking at the girl. She looked exactly like Whatsername.
"Um, excuse me, but do you have a sister?" I asked her
"What? Oh yeah, actually. Her name is Laurie. Why?"
"Oh, well because you look like a girl that I'm looking for."
"Really? What's her name?"
"You just said it..."
"What?"
"Never mind..." She gave me a strange look and went back to her work. About five minutes later a man walked into the room.
"Jessica, where is he?"
"Right there, sir" she said pointing at me. He saw me and walked over.
"Hi. My name is Randy Miller. Call me Mr. Miller" he said holding out his hand
"Uh... My name is Jesus" I said shaking it.
"Follow me" I followed him into an office and he sat down behind a desk. He told me to sit down and I did.
"So Jesus. You want a job here?"
"Yes, sir"
"Have you had any experience before?"
"Umm.. Not really. I mean, when I was younger I usesd to work at the... 7-11" I said. Which was true. I worked there when I was fifteen to get some cash.
"Really? Well, it's alright. This is a different type of job, but you don't really need any experience. You just have to fill out paperwork."
"Sounds easy enough"
"Come in every morning at 8:30am and you can leave at 4:00pm. Try not to be late alright?"
"So, I got the job?"
"Well, yes. You're the only one who applied for it so far. So you understand everything?"
"Um... Where do I work?"
"Oh, the office right across from this one"
"Oh, okay. Then yeah, I understand everything."
"Great then. You'll start tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Is that alright?"
"Uh, yeah. Of course"
I got up and shook his hand. I did it, I got a job. Not a very good one, but at least I got paid. Now I had to try and find a place to stay. I didn't have enough money for an apartment, but maybe for a cheap motel. I walked around looking for the cheapest one I could find. Eventually I found one called Mo's Motel. Wow. Real original name. I walked inside and asked the clerk how much it costs for one night. He said it was about $75. I gave the guy enough money for a whole week and he gave me the key to room number 12. The same number as my room in "The Hangout". I walked upstairs without any bags. I felt just like I did when I first went to "The Hangout". I opened the door and inside my room was one bed with a TV on a desk. There was a small bathroom and a tiny closet. There was some coffee on a small table. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. It was only 7:00pm, but I didn't care. I needed to sleep.
I woke up the next morning at around 6:00 am. I didn't feel like getting up, but I had to because of my new job. If I were back at "The Hangout" I wouldn't have had to get up so early. I already missed that place, but if I wanted a real life, I would have to stick with this job. I groaned and got up. I took a shower and put on some clothes. I ate some toast, put on a coat and left. I walked to the facility, which was not far from the motel. It was around 8:00am when I got there. I walked inside and saw Mr. Miller talking to Jessica.
"Hey, Jesus!" said Mr. Miller "You're here early"
"Yeah, well, I wanted to get an early start." I said, yawning
"Great idea! Now, come with me. I'll introduce you to one of your co-workers." I followed him into an office and saw a man sitting at a desk. He was tall, tanned and had brown hair.
"Jake, this is Jesus. He's the new employee. He'll be working right across the hall."
"Oh, hi Jesus." He said getting up to shake my hand
"Hey, Jake"
"So Jesus, why don't you start work now and then you can leave early."
"Um... Yeah sure" We walked into my office and I sat down behind my desk.
"You have a break at 10:10am and your lunch is at 12:50pm. Any questions?"
"Um... All I have to do is fill out these papers?"
"Yes. Here is a paper that has information on everything you need to know. It should answer most of the questions on the paperwork" he said and put it on my desk.
"Thanks, sir"
"Alright, then. I'll be in my office if you need me. And you can always call Jessica if you need to ask a question about the facility. See you later" He walked out, closed the door and left me alone.
I sighed. I had never done paperwork in my life. I took a pen and filled out one of the many papers stacked on my desk. This seemed pretty complicated for something so simple. Maybe it was because I wasn't used to it. I filled out another paper, and then another, and then another. After a while it was 10:10am, and I couldn't have been happier. I got up, strechted my arms and legs and left my office. I walked outside and lit up a cigarette. I stared out onto the streets, remembering when I used to live there. I remembered living with Tunny, Kaibe, Nige, Jaze and everyone else. That life was so much better than this one. I mean, I was living in a motel. Well, only for a week or two, until I made enough money to rent out a small apartment. Man, I missed "The Hangout". I needed to go back, but if I did, I would be tempted to not come back to my new life. I really didn't want to sell drugs for the rest of my life, but it was way more fun than filling out paperwork. I missed all of my friends, and I wondered if they missed me. Maybe I could go back, but not now, later on, when I would get used to this. I sighed and checked my watch. 10:20am. I decided to get back to work. I threw the cigarette on the floor and stepped on it. I walked back inside and into my office. I sat down again and put my head in my hands. How could I live like this? Just then Mr. Miller walked in.
"Uh... Jesus, are you alright?"
"What? Yeah, yeah. I'm alright. Just... Uh... Thinking."
"Alright then. I wanted you to meet another one of your co-workers." A man walked in. He was average height, he had short, dirty-blonde hair and he was wearing a suit.
"Hello. My name is Micheal. I work in the office next to you"
"Hey. I'm Jesus." I said shaking his hand. I noticed this guy was very proper.
"Jesus? That's a peculiar name"
"In what way?"
"Well, I mean, not many people have the name Jesus. Is it your real name?"
"Yeah, it is actually."
"Well, I guess I'll see you around, Jesus"
"Yeah, whatever, Michael" This guy was really annoying me.
He gave me one last look and left. Mr. Miller did the same and closed the door. I sighed and took out another cigarette. I know I wasn't allowed to smoke inside the building, but it was the only way for me to relax. I kept filling them out until 12:50pm. I left the office and was about to go outside until Jake called me over.
"Jesus!" he said
"Oh, hi Jake"
"Jesus, where are you going?"
"Out for lunch"
"It's your first day. Why don't you eat with me in the cafeteria?"
"Um... I guess."
"Great! You can buy something there" I followed him into a large room, with lots of square tables. There was a lineup until the end of the room, just to buy lunch.
"Oh great. Looks like we'll be here a while." said Jake
"If we wait, we'll never get our lunches"
"What else can we do?"
"It's called cutting" I said. I motioned for him to follow me and I went up to the front of the line.
"Hey! I was here!" someone said
"Not anymore" I told him and cut right infront with Jake. I probably wouldn't have cut, if I never met Jimmy. He made me tough. I bought a cheese-burger and Jake bought a sandwich. He led me to a table and we sat down. Unfortunately, Michael was sitting there too.
"Hi guys. I see you've got your lunches. I'm surprised, you came pretty late" said Michael
"We cut"
"Oh. That's rather rude, isn't it?"
"Maybe, but you know, I gotta eat"
"So do those other people"
"Then they should've cut too."
"So, anyway, Jesus. Tell us about yourself" said Jake.
"My dad died when I was ten. My mom remarried a bastard. I don't like him. I left home. I lived with my friends for a while. I came here" I said, summarizing my life
"Really? You left home?" asked Michael
"Yeah"
"Why did you leave home?"
"'Cause my home was fucked up"
"Okay. Well, I have a high school education and a college one. This is just a side job. I have another one. I have a girlfriend and we live together. I must say, I've got a pretty good life. I mean you hear about other's and then your thankful you ended up the way you did. You know?"
"No, actually, I don't know. I never had a good life and I never will! It's bad enough I know people out there are actually having a blast in their lives, so you don't have to go and shove it in my face! I know I'm fucked up, I know! So I wish all of you people who think they're better than us, us as in the people just like me, would just shut up and fuck off!"
"Christ, Jesus. You don't have to get so upset!"
"No, actually I do! You don't know what it's like to be me! You've never lived on the streets like I had to! So just shut your mouth!"
"Jesus, I've been through some tough times myself. I know what your going through"
"Yeah? Bullshit!"
"Jesus, come on..."
"Just fuck off!" I ran out of the cafeteria. I didn't care if people were looking at us. I was right, that fucker didn't know shit! All he knew was how to make people feel lower than him! I decided I would make that guy's life Hell. I went into my office and locked to door. I sat down and put my head on my desk. I just wanted to go back. I didn't belong there. Selling drugs was so much easier than this shit. I just wanted to leave. But just then I thought about what Jimmy would say. He would tell me I was weak. He would convince me to stay. I decided not to leave. I knew I could do, if I really tried. Just then I heard a knock. I opened my door and saw Jake.
"Jesus, I'm sorry about Michael. He likes to show off. I'm sorry you had to go through that"
"It's alright. I'm gonna get back at him"
"Great. Well I'm sorry about all this"
"It's okay. Now if you don't mind Jake, I have tons of work to do"
"Yeah. I'll see you later" He closed the door and left me to my work. Sooner than I knew it, it was 3:30pm and Mr. Miller let me leave early. I went to my motel and took a shower. I went out for a walk and thought about how I could change my life around. All I had to do was get used to my job and everything would be alright. And eventually it did. When I went to work everyday, I actuallys started to enjoy it a little. I pulled as many pranks as I could on Michael, and I never got in trouble for it.
The job was boring, but it helped me become a little more serious and mature. But is still wasn't exactly what I wanted.
Jesus filling out paperwork now
At the facility on East 12th Street
He's not listening to a word now
He's in his own world and he's daydreaming
He'd rather be doing something else now
Like Cigarettes and coffee with the Underbelly
His Life's on the line with anxiety now
She had enough and he had plenty.
Somebody get me out of here
Anybody get me out of her
Somebody get me out of here
Get me the fuck right out of here!
"Yes?" Jessica said
"Um, yeah. I'm here to apply for the job."
"Oh, right. Okay. Just have a seat and the manager will interview you."
"Uh, okay." I sat down on one of the chairs she was pointing at. I kept looking at the girl. She looked exactly like Whatsername.
"Um, excuse me, but do you have a sister?" I asked her
"What? Oh yeah, actually. Her name is Laurie. Why?"
"Oh, well because you look like a girl that I'm looking for."
"Really? What's her name?"
"You just said it..."
"What?"
"Never mind..." She gave me a strange look and went back to her work. About five minutes later a man walked into the room.
"Jessica, where is he?"
"Right there, sir" she said pointing at me. He saw me and walked over.
"Hi. My name is Randy Miller. Call me Mr. Miller" he said holding out his hand
"Uh... My name is Jesus" I said shaking it.
"Follow me" I followed him into an office and he sat down behind a desk. He told me to sit down and I did.
"So Jesus. You want a job here?"
"Yes, sir"
"Have you had any experience before?"
"Umm.. Not really. I mean, when I was younger I usesd to work at the... 7-11" I said. Which was true. I worked there when I was fifteen to get some cash.
"Really? Well, it's alright. This is a different type of job, but you don't really need any experience. You just have to fill out paperwork."
"Sounds easy enough"
"Come in every morning at 8:30am and you can leave at 4:00pm. Try not to be late alright?"
"So, I got the job?"
"Well, yes. You're the only one who applied for it so far. So you understand everything?"
"Um... Where do I work?"
"Oh, the office right across from this one"
"Oh, okay. Then yeah, I understand everything."
"Great then. You'll start tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Is that alright?"
"Uh, yeah. Of course"
I got up and shook his hand. I did it, I got a job. Not a very good one, but at least I got paid. Now I had to try and find a place to stay. I didn't have enough money for an apartment, but maybe for a cheap motel. I walked around looking for the cheapest one I could find. Eventually I found one called Mo's Motel. Wow. Real original name. I walked inside and asked the clerk how much it costs for one night. He said it was about $75. I gave the guy enough money for a whole week and he gave me the key to room number 12. The same number as my room in "The Hangout". I walked upstairs without any bags. I felt just like I did when I first went to "The Hangout". I opened the door and inside my room was one bed with a TV on a desk. There was a small bathroom and a tiny closet. There was some coffee on a small table. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. It was only 7:00pm, but I didn't care. I needed to sleep.
I woke up the next morning at around 6:00 am. I didn't feel like getting up, but I had to because of my new job. If I were back at "The Hangout" I wouldn't have had to get up so early. I already missed that place, but if I wanted a real life, I would have to stick with this job. I groaned and got up. I took a shower and put on some clothes. I ate some toast, put on a coat and left. I walked to the facility, which was not far from the motel. It was around 8:00am when I got there. I walked inside and saw Mr. Miller talking to Jessica.
"Hey, Jesus!" said Mr. Miller "You're here early"
"Yeah, well, I wanted to get an early start." I said, yawning
"Great idea! Now, come with me. I'll introduce you to one of your co-workers." I followed him into an office and saw a man sitting at a desk. He was tall, tanned and had brown hair.
"Jake, this is Jesus. He's the new employee. He'll be working right across the hall."
"Oh, hi Jesus." He said getting up to shake my hand
"Hey, Jake"
"So Jesus, why don't you start work now and then you can leave early."
"Um... Yeah sure" We walked into my office and I sat down behind my desk.
"You have a break at 10:10am and your lunch is at 12:50pm. Any questions?"
"Um... All I have to do is fill out these papers?"
"Yes. Here is a paper that has information on everything you need to know. It should answer most of the questions on the paperwork" he said and put it on my desk.
"Thanks, sir"
"Alright, then. I'll be in my office if you need me. And you can always call Jessica if you need to ask a question about the facility. See you later" He walked out, closed the door and left me alone.
I sighed. I had never done paperwork in my life. I took a pen and filled out one of the many papers stacked on my desk. This seemed pretty complicated for something so simple. Maybe it was because I wasn't used to it. I filled out another paper, and then another, and then another. After a while it was 10:10am, and I couldn't have been happier. I got up, strechted my arms and legs and left my office. I walked outside and lit up a cigarette. I stared out onto the streets, remembering when I used to live there. I remembered living with Tunny, Kaibe, Nige, Jaze and everyone else. That life was so much better than this one. I mean, I was living in a motel. Well, only for a week or two, until I made enough money to rent out a small apartment. Man, I missed "The Hangout". I needed to go back, but if I did, I would be tempted to not come back to my new life. I really didn't want to sell drugs for the rest of my life, but it was way more fun than filling out paperwork. I missed all of my friends, and I wondered if they missed me. Maybe I could go back, but not now, later on, when I would get used to this. I sighed and checked my watch. 10:20am. I decided to get back to work. I threw the cigarette on the floor and stepped on it. I walked back inside and into my office. I sat down again and put my head in my hands. How could I live like this? Just then Mr. Miller walked in.
"Uh... Jesus, are you alright?"
"What? Yeah, yeah. I'm alright. Just... Uh... Thinking."
"Alright then. I wanted you to meet another one of your co-workers." A man walked in. He was average height, he had short, dirty-blonde hair and he was wearing a suit.
"Hello. My name is Micheal. I work in the office next to you"
"Hey. I'm Jesus." I said shaking his hand. I noticed this guy was very proper.
"Jesus? That's a peculiar name"
"In what way?"
"Well, I mean, not many people have the name Jesus. Is it your real name?"
"Yeah, it is actually."
"Well, I guess I'll see you around, Jesus"
"Yeah, whatever, Michael" This guy was really annoying me.
He gave me one last look and left. Mr. Miller did the same and closed the door. I sighed and took out another cigarette. I know I wasn't allowed to smoke inside the building, but it was the only way for me to relax. I kept filling them out until 12:50pm. I left the office and was about to go outside until Jake called me over.
"Jesus!" he said
"Oh, hi Jake"
"Jesus, where are you going?"
"Out for lunch"
"It's your first day. Why don't you eat with me in the cafeteria?"
"Um... I guess."
"Great! You can buy something there" I followed him into a large room, with lots of square tables. There was a lineup until the end of the room, just to buy lunch.
"Oh great. Looks like we'll be here a while." said Jake
"If we wait, we'll never get our lunches"
"What else can we do?"
"It's called cutting" I said. I motioned for him to follow me and I went up to the front of the line.
"Hey! I was here!" someone said
"Not anymore" I told him and cut right infront with Jake. I probably wouldn't have cut, if I never met Jimmy. He made me tough. I bought a cheese-burger and Jake bought a sandwich. He led me to a table and we sat down. Unfortunately, Michael was sitting there too.
"Hi guys. I see you've got your lunches. I'm surprised, you came pretty late" said Michael
"We cut"
"Oh. That's rather rude, isn't it?"
"Maybe, but you know, I gotta eat"
"So do those other people"
"Then they should've cut too."
"So, anyway, Jesus. Tell us about yourself" said Jake.
"My dad died when I was ten. My mom remarried a bastard. I don't like him. I left home. I lived with my friends for a while. I came here" I said, summarizing my life
"Really? You left home?" asked Michael
"Yeah"
"Why did you leave home?"
"'Cause my home was fucked up"
"Okay. Well, I have a high school education and a college one. This is just a side job. I have another one. I have a girlfriend and we live together. I must say, I've got a pretty good life. I mean you hear about other's and then your thankful you ended up the way you did. You know?"
"No, actually, I don't know. I never had a good life and I never will! It's bad enough I know people out there are actually having a blast in their lives, so you don't have to go and shove it in my face! I know I'm fucked up, I know! So I wish all of you people who think they're better than us, us as in the people just like me, would just shut up and fuck off!"
"Christ, Jesus. You don't have to get so upset!"
"No, actually I do! You don't know what it's like to be me! You've never lived on the streets like I had to! So just shut your mouth!"
"Jesus, I've been through some tough times myself. I know what your going through"
"Yeah? Bullshit!"
"Jesus, come on..."
"Just fuck off!" I ran out of the cafeteria. I didn't care if people were looking at us. I was right, that fucker didn't know shit! All he knew was how to make people feel lower than him! I decided I would make that guy's life Hell. I went into my office and locked to door. I sat down and put my head on my desk. I just wanted to go back. I didn't belong there. Selling drugs was so much easier than this shit. I just wanted to leave. But just then I thought about what Jimmy would say. He would tell me I was weak. He would convince me to stay. I decided not to leave. I knew I could do, if I really tried. Just then I heard a knock. I opened my door and saw Jake.
"Jesus, I'm sorry about Michael. He likes to show off. I'm sorry you had to go through that"
"It's alright. I'm gonna get back at him"
"Great. Well I'm sorry about all this"
"It's okay. Now if you don't mind Jake, I have tons of work to do"
"Yeah. I'll see you later" He closed the door and left me to my work. Sooner than I knew it, it was 3:30pm and Mr. Miller let me leave early. I went to my motel and took a shower. I went out for a walk and thought about how I could change my life around. All I had to do was get used to my job and everything would be alright. And eventually it did. When I went to work everyday, I actuallys started to enjoy it a little. I pulled as many pranks as I could on Michael, and I never got in trouble for it.
The job was boring, but it helped me become a little more serious and mature. But is still wasn't exactly what I wanted.
Jesus filling out paperwork now
At the facility on East 12th Street
He's not listening to a word now
He's in his own world and he's daydreaming
He'd rather be doing something else now
Like Cigarettes and coffee with the Underbelly
His Life's on the line with anxiety now
She had enough and he had plenty.
Somebody get me out of here
Anybody get me out of her
Somebody get me out of here
Get me the fuck right out of here!
