I'd been out of work for nine months since the layoff from my long time employment at the paper company. Unemployment benefits are running out and my wife insists that it's time to consider any port in a storm.
Driving to the Pleasure Island Farms I have many reasons to dislike being employed by this company. Their reputation is not good when it comes to contractual agreements and many who have contracted for work end up being transfered. A good friend Jay Barstow worked here for several months before he and his wife had to move. Jay's transfer meant the relocation of his wife and him at the Pleasure Island draft horse stud farm near Mackinaw City in upper Michigan.
Jay sent me two post cards from there and wrote about the misgivings he had working for a company so hell bent on scientific advancement at any cost to a employee's health.
His last card told of a meeting between Jay his wife Joan and the main scientist. Seemed they wanted both of them to work together at the Breeding Science Department. He said that they might get so involved that he could not write me for some time to come.
It's been four years without a card or letter. I hope my friend's are enjoying at long last their jobs.
I drove into the parking lot and directly in front of me is the neat red brick building boosting a sign for 'Contractual long or short term employment with benefits.
"Scientific Research" Had a stunning sign offering to become a Donkey for five years and live and work on a stud farm. "How degrading they are toward employee's, the slang term of donkey used for the worker who may have less intelligence or no educational degree. I walked in expecting an eregant attitude since I planned to ask for general unskilled employment.
"Good afternoon, I'm here for an appointment offered in the add from the Gazette about contractual employment!"
The blonde and very pretty reseptionist looked up at me and smiled. "We have several good openings, some require relocation and have cost of moving benefits as well. The short term contracts for local work are almost filled. They are only looking for those who really need employment since the region lost so many jobs with the closing of the paper companies."
I informed her that I was one who lost his job many months ago and was desperate. She gave me an application and some medical questionaire for me to sit down and fill out. I was surprised how nice and considerate she was to me and others who came in after me as well.