I’m living in a basement. My life sucks. The only thing I have going for me is head full of hair, and a business degree. My mother was no longer there to hold my hand. “The dead bird under the nest never learned to fly,” she said to me. While I didn’t quite understand what she meant by that, it still didn’t help with my cash flow problem.

I’m sitting here drinking some god awful coffee with my cereal with no milk. I’m that piss poor. I’m reading the morning paper and my rotary dial mono phone starts to ring. I don’t really want to answer it, to be quite frank with you. But I will because you never know when a business opportunity comes ringing. I answer, it’s my old university pal calling from New York City. Dear lord, he better make it quick, I’m not trying to pay out the ass for long-distance phone calls.

“I hear you’re piss poor, Kevin, that’s a total bummer. I got a job for you, care to hear about it?”

“Sure, but make it fast. I have, uh, things to do.” A blatant lie, but whatever.

“I know a guy out here that needs someone smart and business savvy. Also someone with the kind of drive you have. Which is why I already told him you would do it. Pack your bags, Kevin, you’re off to the big apple. There’s a train ticket waiting for you at the station.”

Before I could say anything else I was hung up on. I went back to my kitchen table to grab my coffee. I looked at it for a second and said fuck it. The days of me drinking shitty coffee and living in this basement are over. I’m off to the big apple.

I got off the train in Albany. It was a long train ride, but I was ready for my new job. There was a note that accompanied my ticket at the station. I was supposed to wait for someone to come pick me up. So I waited and waited while clutching my briefcase for my dear life. This sure wasn’t home. Business school doesn’t teach you how not to get robbed. Finally, a Cadillac with heavily tinted windows pulled up right next to me. A sharply dressed man rolled down the window and told me to get in. I wasn’t too sure if this was the man that I was supposed to be meeting, but I sure hoped it was.

I sat next to the finely dressed man, I actually really admire his taste in suits. It seems very expensive. If this is a sign of what’s to come for me, I’ll need to answer random phone calls in the morning more often. Even long-distance ones. Although he was sharply dressed, he wasn’t wearing any shoes. I remind myself every couple minutes not to stare at his well-manicured toes.

I sat quietly. Was I supposed to strike a conversation? Introduce myself? I thought back to my business classes remembering I should take control of this initial meeting. Hoping I make a good first impression I stick my hand out.

“I’m Kevin, but back home I’m known as Mr.Wonderful. I’ve heard I have quite the pleasant attitude towards life. I’m not too sure as to what kind of job position you have for me, but I’m sure my outlook on life will be my greatest attribute.”

The man looked at me and hesitated to shake my hand. But he did. He said his name was SammyNoShoes and he was taking me to Manhattan to meet the boss. Besides that, the rest of the car ride was pretty silent besides the sound of the windshield wipers going back and forth as it started to rain.

The ride was about 150 miles long. I have never been to New York City, but I recognize the Manhattan bridge, thus marking the beginning of my new job.

After about 14 hours of traveling, the car finally stopped. SammyNoShoes got out of the car and I followed. I’m immediately greeted with the overwhelming feeling of the big city.  There is a lot to take in. Sky Scrapers everywhere. I am a city man, but I’ve never seen such hustle and bustle to this magnitude. Everything around me is noise, construction, and tall buildings.

A man comes out of the blue box truck. He looked like your average JoeShmoe everyday worker. Which is why I was so shocked to learn that this guy is running a multimillion-dollar empire. I commend him and his humbleness, I actually quite admire it. However, when my time comes, if it ever does, I’ll definitely be showing off a nice belt.

The name Alan was embroidered into his shirt, whether it was his real name or not, it is what I will continue to call him. He tossed Sammy some keys that were used to unlock the doors to the storefront we were standing outside of. Sammy disappeared inside and it was just Alan and me.

He looked at me, and I looked at him. His steel toe boots were slightly intimidating. Alan adjusted his glasses and began to talk.

“I’ve worked hard to be able to not take shit from anyone and be my own boss. I’ve heard good things about you, especially your business qualifications and ability to do things discreetly.  There’s plenty of people around here who like to watch the world burn, and I would very much like my world to be untouched. If you can do that, Tesco is the place for you. I will not hold your hand, but if you pay your dues and work hard, you’ll be rightfully rewarded and make a ton of money.”

I nodded in agreement and shook Alan’s hand.

“First, I need you to meet your business associate. Call the number that’s on this piece of paper. It’s for your chauffeur who will chaperone you around town whenever you need it. He’ll bring you to a corner where a meeting has been set up for you two to meet.”

Alan handed me a piece of paper with a phone number on it and headed into the store.

I looked at the paper and knew I had to go to the nearest payphone.