The Temptress Chronicles: I
As the newly crowned Queen of Temp Work – the Temptress, if you will – I received my first job assignment. This week, all week, I am the receptionist at a swanky financial firm on West End. From my 11th story perch, I preside over downtown Nashville with a foxy hair-do and high heels that click on the marble floors. I feel positively posh.
My duties are simple: answer and transfer. I answer the phone, and then pass it along to whoever the call is for. I have now been here for almost 9 hours, and the phone has rung three times all day. Luckily, my pleasant and largely invisible co-workers have given me the go-ahead to do whatever I want to do: email, read, what-have-you. I don’t know if they knew that they were sanctioning “blogging,” but nevertheless, here we are.
My friend Sarah, who is also a temp, wrote me a little word of encouragement on my Facebook profile, and it feels fitting to share it here. Call it a benediction.
“We are the hobos of the working world. Don’t stay in one place too long, keep your head down, and keep moving. As long as you have a tin can and a good pair of shoes you will be okay. As for eye contact, don’t make it.”
Amen, sister. Amen.
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I worked as a temp in a law firm in Century City when I was working Ken’s way through med school. The rule there, however, was that you had to look busy at all times and an eight hour day of “looking busy,” not being able to read or write letters or anything, made for a very, very, long boring day. I always thought I’d love having 8 hours of “free time,” but even if you have the option of reading or blogging, those days can be long. Just keep remembering that’s why one does temp work. Go temptress!
oooh i can’t wait for part deux!
I’m a fan of calling yourself “temptress” because “working girl” just doesnt send the right message. Keep on keepin on…
I think it would be awesome to be a different person every week. Next week maybe you can be a blue collar worker in a warehouse. The temporary possibilities are endless!
congrats on the job.
you have to love the jobs that use so little mental strain that you can think about better things.
like blogs and taking over the music world.
ooooo…the temptress. you really should create different identities for each new opening – maybe next job you can be annie the australian girl and can walk around practicing your fake accent skills!
I know I’m late, but as a full-time office worker, I wanted to mention that NOTHING is as pleasant of a surprise as a competent yet sane temp worker. You are probably the biggest fish in the temp worker pond. Conduct yourself with the according swagger.
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