A short story about a day in the life of Max…
It started as a normal Monday for me, went to work, did the shopping for the week at Sam’s Club and then back to the kitchen to prepared some of my world-famous Baby back ribs, “If it don’t fall of the bone itzzz free”.
I got off around 4pm. Next, I went to tee it up (a driving range) and worked on my wedge game (never, under any circumstances ignore the short game) from there I went to the gym, worked Triceps and Biceps HARD! Skull crushers, bench press, Chest fly’s, everything! After the gym it was around 10pm, I said “I need some calories!” Thanks to my WHOOP band for alerting me (same thing Rory Mcllory wears) so I drive to my local Wendy’s, ready to chow down on a double bacon cheeseburger no cheese no bun (Gluten free lifestyle). Now this where the story gets good…
The weather is a balmy 84 degrees; I’m sitting in the drive thru, feeling on top of the world after a great workout. You know, the kind of workout where you feel like a god after. The song “Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac”echo’s in the background as I sing aloud, windows down not a worry in the world. 10 MINUTES go bye, and I haven’t moved an inch. 20 MINUTES I move one car. 45 MINUTES later I finally place my order. Now, I am not gonna lie, I was slightly angry, but I was still on cloud 9.
With all of this emotions boiling inside of me, I pull up to the window and speak my mind “what the hell are you guys doing in here?” I utter in a trembly voice.
They explain our manager went on a “smoke break and it’s all our first week working here.”
My feeling of anger turns to deep sorrow for these kids… They’re are getting their dicks handed to them and the drive through line is only getting worse. That’s when I say, “let me come help you guys out.” A shocked panic creeps over their innocent 16-year-old faces… they spend a little time debating amongst themselves but eventually they come back to the window and say “yeah I mean sure, I guess” that’s all I needed. I drove around and parked my car and went inside.
As I walk up to the door and ripped it up… (so my presence could be felt, and so they knew things are going to be okay). The scene I entered was a mess. No organization. Everyone standing around. The floor covered in trash. I walk behind the counter feeling like a legend and demand a uniform. They oblige and hand me a shirt and hat. I say Boys ‘Its go Time” I didn’t ask how I can help. I told them. Life lesson here… never ask always to tell!
I said, “I’m on burgers and sandwiches” and then I tell the other dude next to me, a shy 19-year-old, ‘’you’re on fries and nuggets!” A bark my orders to some kid named Steven,” You’re on the headset!” and then I bark my final order before we head off into battle… “LET’S DO THIS THING!”
The screens are all buzzing and beeping as my adrenaline starts pumping. I’m busting out double bacon cheeseburgers and Pretzel bunned chicken sandwiches left and right. Yelling out orders “We need a FO FO FO no tomato” And just like that… the dynamic has shifted. The average time per car when I arrived was 26 minutes and by the time, I left we had it down to 6. I didn’t stop moving for three hours straight, the cars kept coming, and we kept producing! Around an hour in, Steven (my headset guy) needed to go on break so I took over “Thank you for choosing my Wendy’s this is Max. How can I help you?” The words flowing out of my mouth as smooth as molasses. I’m a natural.
After about hour 2 in, the manager comes up to me and expresses his gratitude and appreciation for my hard work. He had approved me to work there for the night but was M.I.A. flirting and holding hands with some dude in the back office the whole time I was there. I assume the man was his boyfriend, but I didn’t ask. He says to me “how can I help”. It was then I knew I was the ALPHA in this establishment, and I can’t help but think my freshly pumped muscles bulging out of my new small Wendy’s shirt was the reason why. I tell him drop me 10 patties of our “fresh never frozen beef” and bring me some buns. He… of course listens.
Later I had a heart to heart with this guy and explain to him the importance of taking pride in your work and leading by example. He tries to make excuses. I tell him save it, “You know you need to be better. I know you need to be better. They all look to you for guidance, be a leader!” He nods his head in a way that shows embarrassment but also, he needed to hear some truth be spoken to him. Then he said “your right, I think I finally understand I need to be more like Russel Gage and be a certified beast!” Tears stream from my eyes too as I pat him on the back and say, “Your exactly right, I’m so proud of you.”
From that point the next 30 minutes are much slower and calm. I yuck it up with the boys and we share life stories and munch on nuggets and fries. I make lemonades from them all. We have a car here and there come through but it’s nothing like it was before. A lady pulls up, doesn’t even order at the speaker her eyes bloodshot red as she rolls an extendo blunt with one hand the other hand is on the steering wheel. Extremely impressed I say “what can I get you”. She said I need water badly. I give her a water, a free large fry and away she goes. It’s now almost 1:30 in the morning and time for me to leave. My work is completed. Steven my headset guy needed a ride home, his shift had ended. I take him home and then climb into my bed. Still wearing my Wendy’s hat proudly. Knowing I accomplished something good! And had a blast while doing it! There is no moral or point to the story other then take charge in every situation. Always be the ALPHA in the room!
-Max
The MFL 