Chapter 107: The Terrible Job Fair
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In early May, there were no auctions in Flagstaff, therefore, both of them were able to take a break.
On the 12th, the Flagstaff Employment Committee organized a job fair with the local companies. The two of them requested for a booth in advance, seeking for porters.
Their recruitment requirement was two employees. They would be offered a weekly salary of 400 dollars during the starting probation period. Salary would be increased 25 percent after becoming a regular employee. Meals were provided, but insurance and accommodation were not included.
Li Du drove to the Flagstaff farmers market early in the morning. There was an empty space where tables, chairs, and recruitment posters were being placed to hold the job fair.
After entering the farmers market, Hans shook his head and asked, "Are these guys from the Employment Committee pig-headed? They must be really creative to hold a job fair in the farmers market."
Li Du did not mind at all."It doesn’t matter buddy—as long as we are able to hire people! What number are we? Sixty-five, isn’t it?"
"Yes, this is booth number one, so just continue straight."
They walked to the end of the row of booths, and stared in a daze standing in front of the recruitment booth.
Booth 65 was located at the end of the market. Next to it was a meat stall selling pork.
Meanwhile, two big guys were dragging a fat pig into the stall. The pig was screaming, its short legs bound together, and it struggled desperately. Apparently it knew what would happen after being dragged in.
The squeals of the pig were so loud; the deafening of its screaming drained all the color from Li Du’s face.
A big guy looked up and asked, "Do you want to buy pork? We have some good pork ribs and ham steak, absolutely fresh. How much do you want to buy?"
"Sh*t! Valerie! Hold this damn pig! You have to push hard! I can’t make it move!" another big guy yelled.
Li Du shook his head and said, "We, uh, we don’t want to buy any."
"Why are we standing here if you don’t want to buy any pork?" Hans asked unhappily.
Li Du asked, "How much do you earn for killing pigs a month? Are you interested in changing jobs?"
"Of course I am!" the big guy said excitedly. "I earn 6,000 a month killing pigs, but I’ve had enough of these idiots. Oh, are you a headhunter? Are there any good jobs available?"
Li Du shook his head and said, "Oh, I’m sorry. No, there aren’t."
Li Du and Hans sat down in disgrace. Hans said, "Sh*t! How could this be? It’s been only a few years since I left Flagstaff, and the market has totally changed. Six thousand a month for a butcher?!"
Flagstaff was a small city with relatively low salaries. They had done some research online yesterday; a family with an annual income of eighty thousand was considered middle class.
The two butchers next to them were definitely from two middle-class families. Obviously, people from the middle-class would not work as porters.
Flagstaff was a small city with a low population. Therefore, it was unsurprising there was no job seeker here.
More than 60 participating companies were in the job fair at 9 o’clock in the morning, but there were only around 60 people seeking jobs. There was a scaterring of visiotors in the market.
Hans patted the table impatiently and said, "The United States is in the midst of an economic crisis, isn’t it? Why has no one come to us? Haven’t the unemployed woken up from hibernation? It’s spring now!"
"It doesn’t mean that they haven’t woken up, but maybe they have gone to Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Los Angeles for better jobs. Who would stay in such a small town?" said a gentle middle-aged man next to him.
When he saw the middle-aged man, Hans stood up immediately and handed him a recruitment brochure. "Take a look at it, buddy. Perhaps this is a good opportunity that God has given you."
"I’m sorry, but I’m not fit for this job," he said, shaking his head.
"Even if you don’t fit, it doesn’t hurt you to know about the job. Maybe you know someone else better suited?" asked Li Du.
"You’re right! God would not have you come to us for no reason." Hans had apparently turned himself into a devout Christian.
They both knew middle-aged people were not suitable for the job, but he was the first person to come to their booth; they had to fight the losing battle.
The middle-aged man refused. "I don’t know anyone who is suitable for this job, but let me introduce myself first: I’m Wilbur Russell, human resource manager of Classic Vision Company. Our company is hiring two video projectionists. Are you interested?"
Right away, Hans threw the recruitment brochure that Wilbur handed him. They came here to recruit people, not being recruited.
Wilbur was a very patient person. He started introducing their company: "Our Classic Vision company is the largest video recording and broadcasting company in Flagstaff. We own ten million assets—"
"We have a monthly income of more than $200,000. What kind of income can you provide us?" Li Du was too lazy to listen.
Wilbur was insulted by his words; he shook his head and left. "These two dummies can really brag!" he said, walking away.
They were in a very poor location at the far end of the job fair. Of course, this was understandable. After all, they were here only to hire two porters, and were basically ignored by the employment committee.
It was crowded at the farmers market. The pork stall next door was crowded with people, while no one came to their booth.
Hans did his best to give out the leaflets, but they still did not find the right porter.
At one point, someone did apply for the job, but his requirements were too high. He wanted a basic salary, commission from the auctions, and did not have the physique for such heavy work as cleaning out the units. They were very worried that his emaciated figure could cause his sudden death during work.
Just like that, it was afternoon. The sun had risen and shined brightly in the sky, but they still had no porter.
"Let’s go—let’s get a cold beer to calm down. I can feel the volcano inside my body, and it will explode at any second," said Hans.
Li Du patiently said, "You go—I’ll wait here for a while."
Hans shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the table. He planned to wait together with Li Du.
At this time, few men who were carrying beers and meats approached them, one of them was their treasure hunting peer, Dog Tail Reginald.
Their relationship with Reginald was not the best. They took advantage of each other before. However, Reginald’s life was miserable. Not only had he lost all his money, but he had also offended Andrew.
Superficially, they were still good friends. "Hey! My good buddy! What a coincidence to see you here!" Hans greeted him enthusiastically.
"Oh—Big Fox, Li—what a coincidence! Here, take a beer. Thank God that I’m with my good buddy in the same market." Reginald passionately handed them each a beer.
After they greeted Li Du, they saw the job information for the position they were hiring. "Woah! Your business must doing really well if you are trying to hire porters," one of them said without jealousy.
Hans shook his head and said, "We’re trying our luck, but in fact, we ain’t got no crap."
"You’re looking for porters? Based on your amount of work, I can recommend the right man for the job," said Reginald.
"Who?"
"Godzilla!" said Reginald.
People around him nodded their heads in agreement.
"You’re right! This guy is an impressive porter."
"Godzilla is a horrible guy. Whoever hires him must have the wind at their back!"
"I haven’t seen him for a while. Where has he been?"