[insearchof33333]

We were working two shifts a piece now, doing anything asked of us to keep our jobs. So many had been laid off, lost their homes, moved away, while still others, divorced and tore their families apart. Such was the case in our little town. The parts plant was all there was. If it went under, the town would go with it. So the plant, the workers, their families and even the town itself, was hanging on by our fingernails, clinging to this weak life support system.

What once had been a proud, almost enviable way to make a living, had now become a desperate struggle to survive, clawing over one another to keep that last bit of income and pride. It really was every man for himself...and of course. that one bitch that management brought in to lay us low.

We had all heard about her even before she arrived. We knew why she was brought in. She held our very lives in her hands and she was a cold spiteful bitch about it, abusing her power and abusing, once proud men. She said she was there to ‘save the plant’ but we all knew she was there to close us down. However, before she did, she was going to squeeze every last drop of blood, sweat and tears from our bodies. This became obvious all too soon.

Most men avoided the haughty cunt as she marched around the assembly line, shouting orders or even firing some men right on the spot. There was no second chance. You either “cut it” or you got cut. It was that simple. Oh she would make this plant profitable alright and kill every man who was left to make it happen. We all hated her but we kept our eyes down, our mouths shut, and took her abuse. There was just too much at stake.

I still remember hearing those high heels clicking, echoing down the hall, as she made her way to the break room. She wore her hair tied in a tight bun and sported a black pinstriped business suit attire with a white blouse buttoned tight to her neck. She scowled at everyone she met, looking upon them with disdain, as if we were responsible for the trouble the plant was in. She now stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, eyes like lasers scanning each man for a weakness.

Finally she spoke with a harsh authority and sarcasm that could make even my blood run cold.

“What the fuck is this? You men need a break? Well I can give you a permanent break. How would you like that? How would you like to go home to the missus or explain to your little kids how ‘Daddy’ had to take a break because a little hard work, a few long hours, overcame his ability to earn a living?”

Most men started to pack up to go back to the line, but Jeremy, one of the older workers, stood up, apparently having had enough of her bullshit.

“M’am with all due respect, each man here has worked at least a 12 hour shift. That’s 4 hours longer than union rules allow. It’s not about laziness, It’s about safety. Up until last year we never had one safety incident, but now, in the past six months, we have had six. So you can’t be too hard on these….”

“Shut…the...fuck…up” she cut him off, drawing out each word, “If you men don’t need this job then go find another. Oh that’s right” (dripping with sarcasm) “here aren’t any others, are there? Maybe if you weren’t so fucking concerned about your safety, and more concerned about doing your job, this plant would survive. Maaybee.. if you had worried more about “safety at home” instead of fucking the little woman bareback, you wouldn’t have so many little brats to feed. MAAAYBEEE? …IF YOU JUST “ (she was warming to her subject) DID YOU FUCKING JOB INSTEAD OF MOUTHING OFF, YOU WOULDN’T BE FIRED HERE ON THE SPOT. NOW CLEAR OUR YOUR FUCKING LOCKER, I GOT 10 REAL MEN STANDING IN LINE OUTSIDE TO REPLACE YOU!”

“You can’t do that, I have worked here for 20 years”

“Oh? I can’t , can’t I? “ eying him hard, and with that she whipped the walkie-talkie to her mouth she had carried from day one and spoke; “Security? I want two guards here immediately to escort this employee, er former employee off the grounds”… she looked at him again, his mouth now open..”Now, you were saying? (she smiled sweetly but with menance) “What can’t I do again?”

“You fucking bitch1 Someday there is going to be payback. Someday the tables will be turned and it will be you begging for mercy, begging for your life.”

“Yeah, well, when that day comes, it sure won’t be any of the ‘men’ working here, who will do it.” (the armed guards arrived and stood behind her,) “Now get out,” she said with a self-satisfied smile, sure in her victory, crushing anyone who dare oppose her.

She looked around the room. “Anyone else here like to question my authority?” She paused, daring anyone to make a response. Then she continued. “This little incident now means each of you has to work and extra half an hour to make up for his loss of productivity.”

No one said a word. We gave knowing looks to one another and packed our things and headed back to the line. We had families to feed, so we kept quiet…kept quiet until we could find a way out.