Second Reality Experiences

Red Lobster seems to be on my subconscious a lot lately... Probably because I used them as a reference for one of the restaurants I applied to...and when that restaurant called them, they were told it had been too long since I had worked there for them to give a reference for me (only 2 years). So I didn't get that job - and I guess my subconscious mind just hasn't gotten over that. But this dream ended up being an exact play by play of me confronting my general manager LeeAnn about this happening.

I walk up to the front doors of the Red Lobster I used to work at. I look at the sign at the right of the door that displays the name of the general manager who works there. LeeAnn's name is still there - good. I go inside and look to see if I can find her. The layout is definitely different than what I was used to when I worked. I spot LeeAnn in the doorway to the kitchen. She has an apprehensive anxious look about her, which tells me she probably knows why I am here. But unlike on the phone, she can't exactly ignore my presence. She sits down with me at one of the empty tables.

"How are you?" I ask her.

"I'm good. Look. I have to cut down right to the chase. I can't give you a reference from me. It's been too long since you've been here."

"It's only been two years though," I say, "I wanted to transfer to a Red Lobster where I live now, and I couldn't find any that were accepting transfers. So I applied to Best Buy and was hired there. I've been with them for two years, but I've always wanted to go back to serving. Now that I had that opportunity, I couldn't get hired because you guys refused to give me a reference!"

"Yeah, the other managers told me they get a lot of reference calls about you though."

"Why does that matter? To be honest, I know I was a great employee. I gave you 2 MONTHS notice when I left. I never made any trouble for you and always did a good job."

"Well, why get back into serving again?" she asks.

"Because it's the best pay for the time spent working that I can get right now. Not only that - you get to interact with many different people and it's never boring. It's fun, and not monotonous whatsoever."

She laughs, "You are so passionate about it we should get married!"

We get up and walk together, down a corridor and into a seperate room. There is a queen bed in the middle and I can see my friend Brittany laying down in it. She makes a joking comment about how me and LeeAnn better not be having sex. LeeAnn gets out a piece of paper and asks what I want her to write for a reference letter. She ends up writing down a list of good qualities I have. I don't remember what exactly they were. I just remember that I wasn't too impressed - but it would do.

Brittany speaks up to her, "Don't forget to sign it for him!"

She quickly signs it and then hands me the slip of paper. I feel accomplished right before I wake up.