Would You Like Fries with That?

Katlyn Bush

Would you like fries with that?

With your double double burger?

And a drink if you get

the combo? With cheese, but

not too much.

And not touching the lettuce.

And only one half a tomato

slice. Yes, sir, but it is an

extra $3.45.

Yes, sir, but the milkshake is not

included. No, I did not change the

price.

No, the manager is not here.

I understand, but we only have one other

cashier. I understand, but he’s cooking the

burgers.

Yes, but you have to wait fifteen

minutes. Yes, sir I understand you

are upset.

Sorry, but we are very busy today.

But, sir, the guy taking your order also has to clean up the mess on the floor.

But, sir, he also has to mop the bathroom.

Because no one wants to work and be a team player.

Because that’s what the manager said as he went

home. But, we gotta stay and deal with chaos.

But, sir, the second register is busted.

No, sir, we do not have a full time mechanic around every time something

breaks. No, sir, I am not trained to fix it myself.

I’m sorry, we are very busy right

now. I’m sorry, It is the lunch

rush.

I’m sorry, weekends tend to get

busy. Yes, sir, I know your kids

are hungry.

No, I can not serve you first because your kids are hungrier than number twenty

five. Yes, sir, but, you are number thirty five.

Would you like a complimentary desert while you

wait? I’m sorry, we do not serve chocolate pretzels.

No, sir we are not hiding them in the back.

No, sir I do not control what goes on the

menu. Would you like a chocolate chip cookie

with that?

Would you like to scream at the nineteen year old behind the counter with

that? For things that are widely and completely out of their control?

I’m sorry, the second cash register is still

broken. I’m sorry, one of our fryers is not

working.

But, sir, the manager said we can’t afford to replace

them. Because he needs to take his wife to the

Bahamas.

While my coworker and I will be asked to give up our days off to be a team

player. And we are still hoping payday comes before our landlord complains

about late rent. No, sir, burger flipping should not pay the bills.

Yes, sir this is a high school job.

Because we are closed from seven o’clock in the morning to three thirty in the

afternoon. Oh okay so now you tell me you would like fries with that?

And a shake, and another double cheeseburger?

I already rang you up so I have to see your card again.

But, sir, your card didn’t go

through. Yes, sir this register is

working.

Yes sir, I know I should get a real job.

No, sir if we all got real jobs we would not be flipping your real

burger. We would not be pouring your real drinks.

When you are really hungry and craving a cheeseburger and

fries. You would have nowhere to go.

Because we all got a real job.