18 February 2007

Coinkydink

My first job out of high school was working at a movie theater. My manager was really nice guy, but the assistant manager was a guy that will go down in history as the oddest of odd ducks. I could tell stories for hours but I will limit it to one.

He LOVED money. I don't just mean the idea of money, though he loved that too, working one full-time and one-part time job for decades. He also loved the physical aspect of money. He spent hours smoothing wrinkled bills, taping torn ones, fondling the cash.

I once asked him "What would you prefer, money or happiness?" and without hesitation, he answered "Money."

********

I have already talked about my rigorously regular schedule. Almost every morning as I turn onto the main street leading to the freeway, a huge postal truck turns in front of me. It says "Basil White and Sons, contractors to the US Postal Service" on it.

"Curse you, Basil White!" I scream, knowing that, unless I play my cards right, I will be stuck behind the slow-ass Basil White truck as we go onto the freeway. The truck takes FOREVER to get up to speed, so I feel like my life is in danger every time I follow it up the onramp at 5 mph.

I have become so neurotic about the Basil White truck that I have risked life and limb to zoom around him, or stopped for coffee to let him get on the freeway ahead of me, or prayed for a red light to separate me and him.

I know I have blown this stupid truck way out of proportion, but it gives my mornings an element of drama, and you KNOW I love me some drama.

********

I went to the funeral of the manager of the movie theater this afternoon. He had died at age 82 and, even though I hadn't seen him since 1983, I wanted to honor his memory, since we had worked together for 3 very formative years in my life.

The assistant manager was at the funeral, too. He had retired from his full-time job and had quit the theater years before, but he said he still loved working and making money.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Driving a postal truck for Basil White and Sons," he answered.

No freaking way.

"Do you get on the freeway at about 7:12 every morning?" I asked.

"How did you know?"

He made my life hell at the movie theater 23 years ago, and he manages to add an element of misery still. Amazing. A-freaking-mazing.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my God! What are the friggin' chances? That is CRAZY.

Anonymous said...

Oh how weird. You'd think he'd be driving an armored car :o)

LittlePea said...

wow! Did you hear a Twilight Zone theme song in there? Cuz I did.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is just too weird. Funny how some people linger in our lives...

Anonymous said...

Flashback!!! That is totally bizarre. Sorry to about Mr "G". He was certainly good to the gang from Buena.

Anonymous said...

I love this story.

Anonymous said...

That is God for ya!

Mom101 said...

Cue Twilight Zone theme song.

You've got to wonder what kind of message the universe is sending you when something like that happens.

Anonymous said...

That, my friend, is one really fascinating coincidence.

Unknown said...

that is hilarious! i love that you could give him the precise time like that--way to creep him out (heh!!)

super des said...

That's hilarious. Also I love that you use the term "odd duck" because nobody (except me) uses that phrase.

Christina said...

No freakin' way! That is amazing. And weird.

Did you tell him to speed up for once?

Lisa said...

That is THe WILDEST story. What are the odds. Hahaha.

Anonymous said...

I can't decide what I like better: the coincidence itself, or the way you told the story. Both are totally awesome.

claire said...

wow. that is super creepy.
so weird! but now you can probably feel comfortable honking your horn at him, eh? :)

Anonymous said...

Trip out, I follow that us mail truck all the time and it seems that they are all good drivers. He has been around for years and has some good looking trucks around time, and very pleasent drivers

momof2virgos said...

WOW thats my familys company!! Sorry for the slow poke driving, you know how the CHP's dont like truckers!!! The family has been running mail from ventura for as long as i think back. Since i was kid!!! Sorry asbout the slow poke, My best comment FIND A NEW WAY TO GO TO WORK!!!!!!!!!

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