Existentialism In The Com Room

You have to work pretty hard to get any excitement working in the com room. About the only thing that could liven that place up is a fire or a massive screwup by the preceding shift.

And of course, none of that happened tonight.

So I was left with several hours of free time to ponder The Meaning of Life (which was a fairly good movie, I thought) and the truth behind existence.

I asked myself "Why am I here?"

Of course the immediate answer was "Because you're broke, dimwit. You are here to get a paycheck and get out of your wife's hair for eight hours."

Oh yeah.

Mostly, it seemed, I was there to help others. Partly because they couldn't reach the radios with the door shut and partly because a really lot of them don't remember what it is they want.

Alot of people will walk up to the window and say "Uh.... I need uh...... Uh... hmmmm..." And I'll say "Keys 63 and a radio with a mike and case, no swivel?"

"Uh.... yeah! Thanks!"

Sometimes I can pull that off just right. It always leaves them shaking their heads going "How did he do that?" That makes my night.

So I stand behind the window and try to be helpful and jovial and understanding when they're confused. Some nights are easier than others.

Tonight was an easy one.

Nobody died and nobody escaped.

We'll count it as a victory in the books.

For all of you chrome-domers out there tomorrow is Be Bald and Free Day! Whoo hoo! Let it shine!