Waffle Street Page #2

off other people's money

is a crook.

It doesn't matter

what you call them.

- Yeah, yeah.

- Case closed.

Dad:
Case is closed.

- Case is closed.

- Case is closed.

Yeah. Yeah, I'll have

another martini here, please.

- Oh, that sounds great.

- Yeah.

Now... here's what

we're gonna do, Jim.

We're gonna put you to work

in the warehouse.

Help you to start making

some honest money.

You know Jim doesn't have any

interest in the warehouse, Dad.

Let me see your hand, Jim.

Right. Look at his hand.

Look at your son's hand.

- I don't wanna look at this hand.

- Go ahead.

I know what his hand looks like.

Mom:

He doesn't wanna look at it.

It's like a woman's.

Is that a manicure?

- James.

- That's enough, Dad.

- I was only asking.

- No, it's enough.

- I don't know what's normal these days.

- That's enough.

No, I, uh...

I don't have a manicure.

I like his hands.

And what's wrong

with our business?

It's raised this family

for two generations.

- That's true.

- And I appreciate that.

I just... I wanna

find my own way.

Yeah.

Sorry, Dad.

No need to be sorry.

How are you fixed for cash?

We're not taking your money.

They gave me a small severance.

Yes, and we have some savings.

So, he has some time

to figure it out.

- I say we toast.

- Yes. Absolutely.

To new a beginning.

Excuse me, miss.

Are you distilling my spirits,

or am I to expect my drink

sometime this evening?

Jim:
For the first

time in my adult life,

I was without direction.

But it was time

to take inventory,

discover new interests

and pursue them.

What if I had

just a little bit more time?

To chase down moments like

this and make them mine

What if this night

had never come to pass?

How many nights like this

have I got left?

I leave in the morning

for the country where I'm from

Jim:
My grandfather was right.

I hadn't done

any truly honest work

since sweeping

the warehouse floor at 15.

Alpha had plucked me

out of college.

I never had to look for a job,

never had to fill out

an application.

Something millions of people

do every day,

and I didn't have a clue.

So, what mortgage derivatives does

your former employer invest in?

Man (over PA):
Now calling A57.

Now calling A57.

Hi. I'm here to see

about finding new employment.

Right across the street there

is a community college.

They offer what we call

job preparatory classes.

You get yourself

into one of those,

and I'll get you your benefits.

"Making Art from Trash"?

Trade skill, hon.

What about "Interpretive Dance"?

Personal growth.

I just want a job.

And we will be happy

to help you find one.

Great.

Just as soon

as I get you the benefits.

Jim:
After a six-year hiatus,

I found the idea

of returning to school charming.

No doubt it would provide the

spark of inspiration I needed.

(wheels squeaking)

Vending machines and bathrooms

are down the hall.

Good luck

with your career paths.

In this three-part series,

we'll teach you how to find

a job using the Internet.

Raise your hand if you've

ever used a computer before.

Good for you.

Now, let's go over the basics of

filling out an application online.

First, you will want to create

a username and password.

Jim:
After suffering through the

No Child Left Behind program,

it was time to hit the streets.

I needed something blue collar,

something my great-grandfather

Preston would be proud of.

Society needed people

contributing on the ground floor,

not middle men living off

interest rates and derivatives.

My name is Jim Adams.

I'm looking for new employment.

Do you have any, uh...

Do you have any job openings?

(speaking Spanish)

Oh, Audi? Yes.

Yes, I actually...

I have an Audi.

I'd love to learn more about it

and work... Here's my resume.

I'm a bit overqualified, I know,

but I'm really willing

to learn a new trade.

This is... This is great.

(speaking Spanish)

- Yeah. "Try it out."

- (speaking Spanish)

I would love to try it out.

That's exactly

what I'm looking to do.

That's... Wow, okay. Well...

- So I'll just call you?

- (speaking Spanish)

- I'll call...

- (speaking Spanish)

- Okay?

- Okay. Wow.

- All right.

- (speaking Spanish)

That feels good just to

have that on my hands.

- Doesn't even bother me. Doesn't even...

- Okay.

- I'm excited.

- (speaking Spanish)

Okay.

So, what are you, a stockbroker?

I worked in the bond market.

That's not a stockbroker?

No. No, sir. I've never been

licensed to sell securities.

You ever do work

like this before?

I have not,

but I am a quick learner.

I'm sure you are.

But we don't have the time

or the personnel to train you.

Thank you.

I could start by sweeping up.

My kid does that already.

Here is my resume.

Well, if it doesn't say you've

ever cut, sold, or laid carpet...

you might as well

put it back in your purse.

This is an attache case.

Thank you.

Jim:
It had been three weeks.

And after hand delivering

57 applications,

I had managed to secure nothing more

than an appointment for an oil change.

Maybe I was doomed to be a

white-collar desk jockey.

Waffle fact.

With more than 1,700 locations,

all open 24 hours,

Papa's Chicken and Waffle is the seventh

largest food chain in the United States.

During my college heyday,

Papa's was a late-night staple

and a place

I could always clear my head.

Just seeing the establishment provided

more comfort than I had felt in months.

(oldies music playing)

Yeah.

Yeah.

- Just have a seat. She'll be right with you.

- Okay.

You are right, man. That has

definitely got something.

It's called groove, baby,

and not a lot

of those new cats have it.

- (laughing)

- I'm with you, bro.

How much is the Wanda?

Same price as it was yesterday,

Kathy, $9.72 with taxes.

Hey, Mary!

Where you at, girl?

I mean, people are dying

of starvation out here.

Coming!

Come on now! I can't be grilling

and greeting at the same time.

I will have the Wanda.

Coming up.

- Wanda!

- Wanda's working.

What can I get you?

Orange juice, Wyatt with

cheese, and an application.

What do you mean?

You wanna work here?

Are you still hiring?

We're always hiring.

It's my third time working here.

Lord help us.

Fill this out.

I'll get a manager.

- There's only four questions.

- Yeah.

I guess I just expected it

to be longer.

Not at Papa's.

Hey, hey,

what's the man's order?

And call it out on the bird.

Wyatt with cheese.

Copy that. Wyatt with cheese.

Coming on the fly.

You like working here?

(chuckles) It's not "Top Chef,"

but it keeps me

on the grill, baby.

Woman:

You looking for a job, honey?

You're the manager.

- Assistant. Jacqui.

- I'm Jim Adams.

Well, Mr. Jim Adams, you

certainly do dress to impress.

You ever work

in a restaurant before?

- I haven't.

- I didn't think so.

What was your last job?

Well, I've always worked

in finance,

but I'm seeking a career change.

Preferably honest work.

Something that gives back, something that,

when I go home at the end of the day,

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