Chapter 74: Starfall

"Now what job?", Jeffrey asked himself.

Junior lifeguard, retail, waiter, soccer coach. Some jobs required experiences, other required a degree connections, and internships. He could always be a web novel translation or a web fiction editor. However, he didn't want to do something for a hobby. Jeffrey just wanted to find a sense of purpose in working. Although he could do without the hard labor of contracting, construction, and the whole white labeling industry.

Jeffrey prepared himself for the slew of rejections he'd inevitably get, "Not enough experience", "Too young", "No insurance / a liability", he heard a lot.

The other thing to fix was transportation, every job needed him to travel quite a distance seeing as he didn't have access to his own car. It'd take quite a bit of time going back and forth.

Jeffrey shrugged his shoulders, "I guess it doesn't really matter as long as they paid him a decent wage he'd take it."

Jeffrey started to type out his resume and educational experience. He then went to his local grocery and bookstores, mom and pop retail stores, even the city library.

Every thing he asked the employees if he could meet with their manager. He had to be quite persistent for the stores to actually take him seriously.

"May I get an interview?", he asked the local pharmacy. The store manager took one look at his age and said the two letters, "No."

Store after store, smoothie shops, restaurants, footwear stores, it seemed no place was hiring.

Jeffrey searched for 3 weeks going store to store asking for them to hire him or just give him an opportunity. For the future millionaire, it was a little pathetic he couldn't even get a job. Although he had no connections or relationships with any of them. Perhaps he'd have better luck asking a neighbor to higher him, but Jeffrey wanted to go at it alone as dumb as it was. It wasn't the smartest or most straightforward method, but it was the method he was most proud of doing.

He visited laundromats asking to be a cashier, local coffee shops if they had any openings for baristas, tailor and mattress shops to spin billboards. There were even a few real estate and banking positions he attempted to talk to, however they recommended he get a job mowing lawns or cleaning pools.

Eventually Jeffrey found himself at a small florist shop, a couple who arranged and ordered flowers for weddings, store front, and personal bouquet arrangements.

Jeffrey did have an annual ticket to the city botanical garden, but his knowledge of flowers was approximately nothing. Finding the motivation to ask again, he walked into the shop ready to ask for a job.

Pushing open the door, the chimes rang signaling someone had walked into the shop.

*ding* *ding*

Jeffrey waved at the man at the counter. The man gave a disinterested look as he continued arranging the flowers in a glass vase.

"Hello there", Jeffrey greeted himself.

The man looked up at him.

Unfazed after having to meet with stern bank managers, bouncers and bars. The florist wasn't as intimidating compared to if he hadn't been rejected all those times before.

"What can I help you with", the man asked.

Jeffrey looked at him in the eye and gave him a smile. "I'm looking for a job", Jeffrey said in a straightfoward manner.

"You have any previous experience?", the florist asked him.

"I volunteered at the botanical garden to take care of the flowers and pruning weeds. I also helped my grandmother grow plants in our backyard", Jeffrey offered.

"You have a resume?", he asked Jeffrey.

Jeffrey pulled out the sheet of paper he had prepared and the man glanced over it taking some time to think.

"When do you want to work?", he mentioned to Jeffrey.

"I'd like to work after school from 3-5 during the week and I can work Saturdays as well", Jeffrey offered.

"You looking to get paid?", he said staring at Jeffrey.

"$10.00 an hour seems like a fair wage", Jeffrey started the negotiations.

The man scoffed, "$8.75 an hour, $0.25 above minimum wage"

"As long as you're willing to be patient and teach me. I'll hope to convince you I'm worth the pay. I'll even work for free for 2 months and show you why I should be paid $10.00 an hour", Jeffrey stuck to his offer.

The man yelled out. "Susan, there's a kid here that wants to work here. I need your help!"

A lady walked out from the back office, a sheet of paper of what looked to be various tickets and orders on a clipboard. The backroom had a large delivery of flowers as it was nearing Easter and the spring season.

"We could use the help Kevin, plus from what I heard he sounds pretty charming", the lady told her husband.

Susan took a look at Jeffrey's resume, "so what are your goals Jeffrey?"

Jeffrey took the time to point out and clarify his resume. It was his turn to give his pitch and tell a good story.

"You see, my friends and I created a science project which we called 'The Slime Factory', I was always looking to work with local businesses and stores to gain more business experience and establish business relationships", Jeffrey talked about his past accomplishments and experiences.

"Your flower store seems like a perfect place for a boutique or a fashion store to cooperate with. Also I also love your store's flowers. My parents often order a bouquet for their anniversary and during the Christmas holidays", Jeffrey mentioned.

Kevin crossed his arms staring at Jeffrey, "You ok with him Susan?"

She replied, "I think he'll do fine. You always did want to take Fridays off."

Seizing the opportunity, Jeffrey asked "Do I get the job?"

Susan and Kevin nodded.

Jeffrey asked the question, "When do I start?"

Kevin grabbed an apron, a pair of gloves and gardening sheers, "How about now?"