Act Your Age... Part 2

Now, after yesterday's furore over being treated like a kid, the roles were reversed today but with more ... how shall I put it? Daunting consequences?

You see, before I started, I was made aware of some condition that my co-worker had, and seeing as I had no choice but to do the bakery stuff, I presumed it was some sort of food allergy or similar condition. However, I presumed wrongly. So, the time was roughly 4am, I was halfway through my compulsory bakery duties when I heard incredibly loud shouting coming from the storeroom, getting closer and closer. Before I knew it, the door burst open and there was my co-worker looking blankly shouting things such as, "I want Mummy!" and "Where am I? I want to go home, I feel sick Mummy!" It reminded me strongly of that Doctor Who episode with the gas-masked boy.. "I want my Mummy"... It was freaky..

At first I thought it was a joke, then realised this man was not into humour and is way too boring and professional to do such a thing.. What the hell was happening? I had customers, (most of them drunk seeing as it was a Saturday night), who were as bemused as I am and then one decided to copy him and shout things out aswell. This was greeted by an uncharacteristic wailing from co-worker before disappearing out the back. I was shocked. I served the amazed group of waiting customers before going to try and find him to see what was going on. I was greeted with a man, probably mid-40's, sitting in a child-like position in the middle of the floor.. I didn't know what to do.. I did what I could only think of and got him a drink of water before carrying on my duties.. Maybe it will wear off? It did after about 30 minutes, but it left him shaken and myself wondering why the hell I had been paired with someone who had the capability of throwing a whole store into embarrassing and potentially dangerous territory...

I brought the issue up with the manager who appeared rather groggily at 5:50am. She was awoken though by the story of what happened and agreed that she would bring it up with the boss, Chris. Sorry, but you can throw as many grumpy and outraged 17 year olds on a football pitch or even a BP store at me as much as you like, but put one 40-odd year old acting like a 4 year old in front of me, and watch as it scares the shit outta me. That was the least I was expecting..

Otherwise, it was a fairly boring, yet busy night and I was ready to go home in a worse mood than I turned up with, (which is tough seeing as I was in a foul mood at 10pm), but the manager said I had done a good job and that raised my spirits no end. It's amazing what one compliment can do to your spirits and I made the long and customary 5-part walk home in happy enough mood. Even if I was greeted by a moody Father when I got home at 6.30.. Probably still angered at my decision not to play this morning seeing as I would physically die. I've got to referee this afternoon aswell, so I've got my large can of Red Bull at the ready. I should be fine.

I wonder how my co-worker is feeling though? Embarrassed? Wouldn't surprise me. Although it sure did earlier..

Bye x