Chapter 2 Sales person, Janitor or both

It was 9 a.m. and the city of San Francisco was already alive. Clara got up from her bed and looked outside her small window. She smiled and quickly made her bed. She entered the bathroom, took a shower and came back to her room to dress up. She opened her bag and found a pair of black jeans and a sea-blue top which she quickly put on.

She walked into the club. All the chairs were turned onto the tables. Laura was sitting at the bar counting and putting into bundles the money made from the previous night. Clara greeted her but she didn't respond. She was so engulfed in the counting of her money that she didn't hear Clara greet her. Clara went out to get some food. Outside the clubhouse, she runs into Jessica.

Jessica, had a smile on her face "You were going on a job hunt without me?"

Clara raised her hands in defence "Noooo, how can I? I was going to get some food. Let's go together,"

They both walked into a nearby shop and ordered some sandwiches. That is all the money Clara had on her. The shopkeeper knew Clara so she gave them two cups of tea for free. They finished the food and went out to search for a job for Clara.

They went to shops, offices and places where they saw vacancies displayed. It was difficult for Clara to secure a job since she had never been to school. Reading and writing was a big problem for her. After roaming the streets for 3 hours with no success, Jessica and Clara sat down on a wooden seat close to a park.

Jessica took two bottles of water from her bag and handed one to Clara as she drank the other.

"It's gonna be hard. I forgot all about school. You get the job and the pay is too small, the pay is good, but you don't qualify for the job. haaaauh!" she said in resignation

Clara turned to look at her friend and spoke with more enthusiasm "How about this, Let's go with what we find. I can do the salesperson job or be a janitor. If the pay is too small I will do both. That will get me a good amount to raise the 1000 dollars."

Jessica looked at Clara like she was going crazy but she sighed after seeing her point she replied "If that is what you want"

she raised the bottle of water to her lips to drink and her eyes caught a vacancy sign for a Janitor across the street. She screwed the bottle cover back on quickly.

"Clara! Let's go," she said grabbing Clara's hand.

Confused Clara's eyes started wandering around to see what her friend had seen.

"Look at the computer office across the street," Jessica said pointing to a shop across the street from where they were sitting. "They are looking for a janitor. Let's go check it out," she announced.

They both entered the building. Clara was sent to the in-charge office

"Hello, welcome, I am Juana. Kindly have a sit" the in-charge greeted

Clara sat on the seat and introduced herself, "I am Clara."

"Good, so you are here for the Janitor job," Juana questioned

Clara responded with a nodded

"Tell me, what are the duties of a janitor" Juana questioned

Clara hesitated before answering "They clean?" She replied sounding more like she was asking a question than answering.

Juana looked at her questioningly and smiled "Have you ever done anything like cleaning washrooms and handling equipment"

"I know how to clean a washroom" Clara responded.

Jauna smiled mischievously and thought to herself, "I can make some money for myself with this girl"

"You are hired. You can start work tomorrow. I will pay you daily." She announced

Clara was smiling ear to ear.

They both left the building very happy. Clara was so happy she could make some additional money to pay Laura. They went back to the Bunny Club. The main entrance was closed so Clara used the back door to her room. She knew by this, that Laura had left for her home. Jessica left Clara with some food before leaving for her own home to await the club opening in the evening.

The club was opened in the evening for business as usual. Clara informed Laura of her new job and the fact that she would pay the 1000 dollars soon. Laura just laughed at her but decided to give her time to give in.

The night was over and it was morning. Clara happily got ready and boarded the bus to her new workplace. They sell computers and other mechanical equipment. Clara got there as early as 5 a.m. She was given the cleaning materials but didn't know how to use them and no one was willing to teach her. Is like someone left instructions that no one should teach her anything about the cleaning machines.

Clara was not bothered. She put the machines down and went for a bucket and a towel. She put on gloves and got to work. Within two hours, she was done cleaning the entire shop which had 6 washrooms, two showcase rooms, equipment areas and a sales side. She was asked to stay till 3 p.m. and keep the place clean.

Clara stayed till 3 p.m. ensuring the washrooms had a constant supply of toiletries. She went to see Jauna as it was time for her to leave and get the club ready to open. Jauna gave her an envelope which she happily received and placed in her bag.

Her first pay from working. She was so excited she didn't open it to check how much she had paid for the day. She thanked Jauna and left for home. She went to her room, placed her bag down, took the envelope out, put it under her pillow, went into the bar and started cleaning. Half an hour passed and Jessica joined her to clean.

"How was your first day at work?" Jessica asked with excitement

Clara was busy cleaning the tables in the bar. "Not bad. There was a lot to clean and they had some machines I didn't know how to use. I couldn't get anyone to teach me either so I used my usual bucket and water. I guess they were happy with the work I did because they asked me to come back tomorrow," she said excitedly

Jessica took one of the serving glasses and cleaned it. "That sounds good. Do you know how much they will pay you yet?"

Clara smiled remembering the envelope she was given with excitement she said. "They will pay me daily. I got my first payment today. Wait, I am going to get it" She ran into her room and came back with the envelope which she handed to Jessica with lots of excitement "Open it."

Jessica pushed the envelope back to her "Ah aa, you open it. It's your pay"

Clara nodded and took the envelope back. She opened it and brought out the money. The smiles and excitement vanished from her face "Wait, that can't be it?"

Jessica took the envelope from her turned it upside down open and shook it. She then looked inside, " Don't tell me that is all they gave you for working from 5 am to 3 pm?"

Clara sat on one of the chairs dejected "10 dollars? How will I raise 1000 dollars like this?"

Jessica sat next to Clara and pulled her into her embrace "Don't cry, we will figure something out. Let's finish getting the place ready." she said consoling her.

"I would need another job," Clara said sadly.

Jessica objected "No you don't need another job. We need to see the in charge. This is not the right rate even if you didn't go to school.