The Situation

My Perspective

A year ago, I was worked as a sales associate for Wal-Mart in Bemidji. Finals were nearing, the stress level was high, and my roommate bartered with me to work in her place for a few hours so she could catch up on her homework and study for her 8:00 am final. I agreed to do it considering that I believed she would do the same for me. The day died, night had fallen, and I walked into Wal-Mart feeling overwhelmed from my own obligations and responsibilities. Shortly after my roommate, Jacque, and I made contact to switch shifts; our store manager told us both that since he hadn't improved the shift change Jacque was to continue working.

I came completely uncorked for his negligence in understanding that college students, who didn't see themselves slaving for a company at a part-time rate with low pay, needed to hold onto their first priority of being a student. I very angrily started shouting at my boss which made him shrivel into the seat of his chair from a standing up position as I pointed and continued to get my point across in words I felt he needed to hear. When I was finished, my boss was cupping his hands, wiping his forehead from the interrogative sweat and saw it my way.

My Boss' Perspective

As I was overseeing the multiple departments, as Store Manager of Wal-Mart, I ran across Jacque and Ginger-two associates who worked for my company. They both looked tired and I figured that they had a rough night. As college students who party their time away and throw their responsibilities to the floor, I couldn't bring myself to give them any sympathy. I asked what they were doing. I figured they were milking the clock of precious work time. Ginger explained that she was there to take Jacque's place for the rest of the evening. I couldn't believe she thought she had the authority to make an executive decision, my decision.

So, I told her "No", and she began to take on a very serious tone. She explained that they were both in college and stressed out because of finals. I told her that was her fault and that she was irresponsible for her lack of preparation. Then, she raised her voice even more. I sat down in the chair, making it known with my body language that she needed to relax, but she kept talking. Her words were so fast that I could barely understand her. So, I just gave into it and told her and Jacque that they could both have the night off. I'd send someone else to take Jacque's spot anyway.

Fly on the Wall

One hour while I was buzing around, dodging the florescent panels of lighting in the retail store where my community and I lived. I was startled when I heard a man and a young woman talking discreetly in the corner of the store. The sound of the woman's voice was so loud that it almost made my wings give out and leave me plummeting to the ground. I became instantly curious about what was going on with the voice that nearly killed me, so I hovered above them to try and understand what they were discussing. The woman seemed stressed out, and I heard her mention something about "finals". At first, I didn't know what she meant. Final ending...final meal...final second...final hour. I could relate to that seeing how I would be coming upon my final hour in ten.

Then, I understood what she was talking about when the man mentioned that she was a "student" and when he said the word "understand" the woman roared with tone and words so great that I felt my little insect body vibrate. I saw the man sit down, and begin to fluster. He cupped his hands and wiped his forehead and cupped his hands and wiped his forehead. Finally, when the last words spilled out of her mouth, the man got up from his chair. He said something to her, and she smiled. I heard her say "good" then saw her walk away.