Southern Living: Finding and Landing That First Job – Part 3

It’s not especially hard to find work in the South (that being anywhere South of I-10, particularly if you want to work for local government.  Now I am not saying that nepotism rules, but you sure lengthen the odds if you “jest happen” to have a relative who also earns a living with a government check. 

     Having had a family member employed by the city fathers, I can honestly say it was an education in Southern “Good ole’ boy politickin.”   Being new to the community, and having formed a close alliance with the Chief of Police, and his family, whose wife just happened to be chief dispatcher, and being of modest intelligence, one was able to get hired on as a night dispatcher for the local “Poleece” Department.   Of course, being available for the graveyard shift made it fairly easy to get the job. 

     The fun part of performing services for the citizens of a small Southern community comes with the learning a whole new language.   Frinstance… “jook jynt” or “gin mill” colorful names for the local dance hall or tavern.  Colored folks down South still live in “The Bottoms.”  Now, if that don’t still have a nice ring to it.. just a few 2 room shacks hovelled together, complete with front porches, dilapidated chairs, a stoop, and 3-4 males, smoking, drinking, staring out at bare-ass dirt, day in, day out.

     When the quiet of the night shift is interrupted by “Sherf, you best cum git ole’ man Carvah, and car’ him up Doc Jack’s, he done cut hisself good.” screeched at 130 decibels by a lady of color who herself is about to “fall out” in a “daid faint” this could very well need serious interpretation, especially when you have only been on the job and hour-a-half.   Greetings in the line of “Jergitit,”  “jwantoo” and, and “jeetyet?” have all been nicely commented on by that wonderful comedian from Atlanta. It might not be hard to get a job for the city, but keeping can be a dicey matter, if John Shipstaller’s nephew Bob, fresh out of reform school now needs employment, the last one hired is the first one fired, if you get my drift.