Well, I got the job at Union Pacific.<\/p>\n
UPRR was having the hiring session at the Rocklin Park Hotel, so last night I drove down and got a room upstairs. This way I could sleep as late as possible. I could get dressed and walk downstairs, and not get stuck in traffic or anything lame like that.<\/p>\n
While ironing my clothes I watched Cartoon Network! We don’t get that channel (my all time favorite) in Chico so I was VERY happy. I took care of all my stuff, laid out all my clothes, organized all my gear, and got in bed. I watched cartoons until 12:30am and finally felt sleepy enough to turn out the lights.<\/p>\n
I slept great! The alarm went off at 6:30am. The radio was playing Return of the Mack. “This is a sign!” I thought. I sang in the shower and whistled a little tune as I put on my suit. I felt rested. I felt sharp. I looked great.<\/p>\n
Time to kill.<\/p>\n
So I walked downstairs and checked out. The girl working at the desk was the same one who checked me in the night before. She did a double take when she saw me in my fresh, clean suit. (The night before I checked in wearing shorts, tshirt, and sandals). I smiled and flirted with her as she finished up my paperwork. I felt like the King of Town.<\/p>\n
I walked outside and it was a beautiful day. Sun shining, about 65 degrees, no wind, just perfect. I was very comfortable in my monkey suit and not too hot at all. After dropping off my bag in my truck, I made for the banquet hall where the hiring session was to be held.<\/p>\n
OK, I’m starting to feel a little nervous. Cell phone rings, it’s Scott.<\/p>\n
“Hey Tom, I thought you might want to know… The manager doing the hiring is a friend of mine, and I talked to him yesterday. He knows you’re going to be there, he knows who you are. You’re in dude, don’t worry.”<\/p>\n
Deep breathe and a sigh of relief. Think happy thoughts. I walked in the room and…<\/p>\n
I’m the only guy wearing a suit. There are about 80 people in the room. One guy is wearing black jeans, scuffed up cowboy boots, and a Harley Davidson tshirt. One guy is wearing shorts and sandals. This is what they wore to an interview? ONE guy is wearing a tie. I feel like the black sheep that I am.<\/p>\n
Blah blah blah, paperwork and presentations.<\/p>\n
Then it happens.<\/p>\n
“Tom, we want you to start on Monday.”<\/p>\n
Monday? I can’t start on Monday. I’ve only got five weeks of school left. I’m graduating.<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand sir. I put on my application that I won’t be available to work until after I graduate from Chico State, which is May 23rd.” Oh shit.<\/p>\n
“Well, we have trains sitting in the yard because we don’t have the crews to work them. We’re in an emergency situation here. We absolutely need you to start on Monday.”<\/p>\n
Fuck.<\/p>\n
Time slows and my heartbeat quickens. The blood is rushing to my face. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears. My stomach churns. What do I do?<\/p>\n
I hold my future in my two hands. In one hand I have something I’ve worked at for ten years now, my education. I’ve had my ups and downs since 1994 and now, finally, I’m graduating. In the other hand I have a career that I REALLY want. I can’t say that about too many jobs I’ve worked, and there have been a lot of them. What do I do?<\/p>\n
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I’m starting to sweat. I reach back with my right hand and feel the back of my head, and massage my skull.<\/p>\n
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”<\/p>\n
“Excuse me? Mr. Bissell, we really want you for this job. We need you.”<\/p>\n
I’m agonizing over this decision. This is a high paying job (some engineers made $100,000 last year on the railroad) and a great lifestyle for the adventurous Tom Bissell. I’m wringing my hands. My palms are soaking wet. This moment feels like a lifetime. Ah hell, I can always go back to college can’t I? Wait, what am I thinking, NO!<\/p>\n
“I’m sorry sir, I truly am, but I just can’t do it right now. I’ve worked very hard for a very long time, and now I’m finally graduating. I’m only five weeks away. I have to stick with it. I’m sorry.”<\/p>\n
Stand up, shake hands, feel free to reapply after graduating, thank you.<\/p>\n
I’m shaking as I walk out of the room. I had the job. I had it. It was mine.<\/p>\n
But the price to pay was too great. I’m just too close to graduating. I couldn’t take it.<\/p>\n
I drove home in silence that morning. Window down, radio off, stuck behind a semi going 50 miles an hour. Brain going 600 miles an hour.<\/p>\n
I did the right thing, didn’t I?<\/p>\n
Time for plan B.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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