Nancy, 72 years old and on the heavy side, waddled up the gangplank slowly. She was huffing and puffing, all out of breath and sat down with a thud in the nearest chair she found. The lady assigned to her helped her up and took her to the place for her interview. She asked Nancy when her last check up was and Nancy had to think pretty hard to remember. Then she asked Nancy what job experience she had. Nancy said, “Well, sweetheart, I was a housewife up until my husband died. I’m a good cook, never had no complaints from my Pete, but I can’t stand for long.”
Her interviewer asked if she would feel comfortable preparing food, if she could sit down for it. Nancy smiled and seemed pleased at the question and answered in the affirmative. All of a sudden there was an alarm going off in a high pitched tone. Several staff members went running for the elevator in a huge hurry. They got up to the third floor and straight to Mark’s room and let themselves in. Mark was kicked back smoking a cigarette that smelled pretty bad. He tried to hide it real fast when they came into his room. One of the staff members ran over and grabbed his arm and retrieved the cigarette.
“What do you think you are doing? There is no smoking and absolutely no drugs. How did you get this cigarette and the fentanyl aboard the ship?” he angrily asked Mark.
“Hey man be cool, I got my ways. I had a big bandage on my leg and just put the cig and the drug under the bandage,” Mark answered.
“Well, get your things, you will have to go to the clinic. You can’t live here with a drug problem and because you smuggled in contraband. They may give you another chance after you get clean, but who knows,” the staff member said. He took Mark’s arm to lead him out of the room, but Mark pulled away.
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“I got a right to be here! Leave me alone!” Mark said confrontationally.
The other men rushed up and one handcuffed Mark while another one grabbed Mark by the pants like he had been a sack of potatoes and walked him out of the room and back to the exit. They had a staff member accompany Mark on one of the returning vans to the clinic.
On the second appearance of the vans, after lunch, there were several families and several single moms with children. These interviews proved pleasant for the interviewers. They were instructed to promise each child a new toy after the interview if they behaved. The children were whispering among themselves quietly, wondering what special toy he or she would get! As soon as each little family was finished, they were ushered into a room down the hall full of all kinds of mouth-watering toys! The children were rushing around, looking to see what stuck out to them, when Marcie, an interviewer looked down at seven year old Tina. Tina said, “Excuse me ma’am, but I have a question. Could I get something special for my mom instead of a toy for me? You see my mom said what she wants more than anything is to get a pretty hair cut and style. She said it would make her feel more like a person and my mommy is my favorite person in the world. So it would mean a lot to me to see her happy. What do you think?”
Marcie, with big tears rolling down her cheek said, “Of course we will get your mom’s hair done! But it is my treat and you still get a toy! You are such a kind and loving child. Please always stay that way! Now scoot! Go get something for you!” And Tina ran off smiling!
Wall Street Jim proved extra cantankerous that night and just couldn’t calm down. He paced up and down the street, obviously troubled. Tim asked him, “Jim, what in the world is going on with you? Did you take a bad hit?”
Jim yelled, “No, you wouldn’t understand. Leave me alone!” And he continued pacing. Harold and Tim just looked at each other, baffled. Jim was kind of simple, after his diet of pills and drugs, but he had never been contentious before; He was always laid back and easy going. What could be going on with him?