Fired

I was in a foul mood, to be sure, though perhaps not as foul as You'd expect given the circumstances.  Still, as i exited the mall to start my long walk home, i gave the revolving door a kick just to prove how angry (and mature) i was.

Moments ago, i was called into the manager's office at the private kindergarden where i'd been employed for the past three weeks. Things had started off on a good note there, everyone seemed friendly enough, and it looked like i was well on my way to having a good year teaching English in China. And then the school started to do annoying little things. Things like, uh, change my contract.

"Hey, we're not actually going to train You or let You use our teaching resources like we'd said we would. I'm sure You can make it all up."

"Hey, i know we said we'd get You a legit working visa but that was a bit of a hassle so here's a tourist one instead. Don't let any cops find You!"

And of course, "Hey, we're actually going to give You 45 hours of work a week instead of the 25 we'd agreed upon. But don't worry, You won't get paid anything extra!"

Now, i like to pride myself on being a flexible, easy going individual, but finally i hit a point where i had to object to these changes. And apparently, they don't like objectors.

"Today will be Your last day here, Dallas."

Her words hit my ears before my butt even hit the seat of the chair she offered me inside her office.

"We find," she continued slowly, "that You complain too much and are impossible to work with. But," she added, folding her hands and smiling, "the school has generously decided to give You an additional three days before You have to find a new place to live."

I knew things had been growing tense between us but i hadn't seen this coming. On the other hand, the thought of not having to work with them any more was a bit euphoric. Whether this would be good or bad, it did complicate things.

"Um, wow. I'm sorry to hear that," i said, shifting in my seat. "I wish things could have worked out between us." I meant it too. Despite their dishonesty, i was trying to make things work with them. Her "generously" giving me three extra days to stay in the school-owned apartment was preposterous though.

"As for the whole firing me and kicking me out of my housing: what about the clause in the contract that says You have to give me seven days written notice before You can terminate my employment?"

She didn't remember there being such a clause so i pulled out my laptop and showed it to her. Her eyes scanned the document once, twice, and then a third time before she sighed and looked up at me.

"I'm sorry. We just can't work with You. You have three days."

She stood up.

"I'm very busy and have things to get to." She began to leave then, reaching the door, she stopped and turned back to me. "I do hope things work out for You, Dallas." Then she was gone.

Now, outside, i was impatient to get home. If i only had three days left, i would have lots of planning to do. I took hurried steps as i fumed over the situation. I couldn't believe their dishonesty. I couldn't believe their incivility. I couldn't believe...

"You want to buy house?"

My dark thoughts were interrupted by the broken words of a teenage boy, fliers in hand, walking beside me. While i knew for certain that i didn't want to buy a house, what i didn't know was that i was about to have one of my most ridiculous adventures yet.

But that's another story...

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Click here to read about how i ended up being pampered in a luxury condo, got free souvenirs, and more!