“Hello, again,” Alex said.
The burger-being bobbed up and down, resuming its habit of pointing at the marquee sign’s “Now Hiring” display.
“I know, I know,” Alex sighed.
The burger-being pulled out a crumpled piece of newspaper and a marker from within one of its oversized gloves and quickly scribbled something on the paper. Alex was increasingly perplexed at this creature…he was now learning that it could write too. After finishing its note, it stuffed the marker back in its glove and handed the piece of paper to Alex. On it read:
Alex was both frustrated and sad as he read the note. He felt bad that he couldn’t do more for the thing, seeing as it seemed so intent on finding a job. “We’ve been over this before,” Alex responded. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do anything for you. Can’t you find a job somewhere else?”
The burger-being shook its hands vigorously from side to side. Just at that moment, Alex’s uncle bolted out of the restaurant.
“Alex!” he exclaimed. “So who’s your friend in the outfit? I didn’t know the guy was actually gonna be helping us when I saw you chatting with him this morning!”
“Sorry, Uncle Bud, I didn’t know either. That is, I…don’t…really know him.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?” Bud replied. “This fella’s done us a lot of good business today!”
“I know,” Alex responded, “but I just met him this morning. He wants a job, Uncle Bud.”
“A job? I told you we didn’t have the budget to bring on more staff a few weeks ago.”
“I know, but he saw that the sign still says ‘Now Hiring.’ He wants to work for $4.99.”
Alex’s uncle was deep in thought as Alex explained how he had come to meet the burger-being, who was in the meantime rocking back and forth on his shoes anxiously listening in on the conversation.
“I’ll tell you what,” Bud concluded, “my budget’s strapped and I’m not keen on hiring any new workers, but you’ve sure pulled in your share of customers today and you’re not asking for much.” The burger-being started shuffling his hands as Bud continued. “I’ll make you a deal. You work for me one week. I’ll give you five bucks a day. We’ll see how this works.”
The burger-being started bobbing up and down frantically.
“Now, don’t get your hopes up,” Bud exclaimed. “This is a ‘trial and error’ kinda thing. Nothing official, no paperwork or anything like that. Just a deal between us. You understand?”
The burger-being quickly gave two thumbs up and grabbed Bud’s hand, vigorously shaking it up and down.
“Okay, okay,” Bud chuckled. “Settle down, it’s no big deal. Since you’re gonna be working for me, I should at least know what to call you. You got a name, fella?”
The burger-being bobbed up and down and pulled out its marker with another crumpled piece of paper. After quickly scribbling on it, he turned it around to face Bud and Alex. The paper read:
“RICH.”
The burger-being scratched its top bun, bobbed on its legs, and pointed at the word “Goodburger” on the marquee sign.
“Goodburger?” Alex asked. “Your name’s Rich Goodburger?”
The burger-being gave two thumbs up and excitedly bobbed up and down again.
“Okay, Rich Goodburger, that’s a funny name for a fellow, but you just got yourself work for a week,” Bud replied. The burger-being kept bobbing up and down. “Now you better keep those customers coming in like today! I’ll expect you at work tomorrow morning, bright and early.” The burger-being gave two thumbs up and Bud turned around to head back inside the restaurant. “And Alex, change that marquee sign and take down the ‘Now Hiring’ part. One guy in a burger outfit is enough for me!” he shouted as he opened the door.
“Yes, sir,” Alex replied. He looked back up at the burger-being. “Well, Rich,” he said, “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”
As Alex finished sweeping the front entrance, he noticed Rich scribble another note on a piece of paper. Right before turning away, he slipped the note in Alex’s hand. It read:
When Alex looked back up, the burger-being was gone.
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