Beers in Nebraska
I think deep down we all wanna connect with each other. A lot of times we just don’t try, but sometimes we do, and sometimes it’s weird, but I think it’s better to give it a shot than to not try at all. It seems like lot of people my age have given up on even trying. It’s cool when people try, though.
I had a job interview yesterday for a second part-time job that I really wanna get. The person interviewing me sounded like an older guy, maybe like mid-50s. The entire conversation was awkward. Which is fine. It was actually so awkward it became funny. But before it became funny, it was just uncomfortable. He asked me if the commute to their office was gonna be doable. I said it would be easy. He said it seemed like it would be a pain. I said I’d just take the crosstown bus and it would be fine. He said he’s always had bad experiences taking the crosstown bus. I said it had always been pretty easy for me. Awkward silence. Not off to a good start. I was hoping to have a pleasant conversation that led to a reliable part-time job, not get into an argument about public transit with a stranger.
“So…Witt…that’s your first name?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, okay. I thought maybe it was your last name.”
He then told me that he knew a guy named Witt who owned a Pontiac dealership in…I think he said Nebraska. Don’t totally remember. (I was kind of confused about where the interview was going at this point.) But anyway, Witt was this guy’s last name, he said. And it’s my first name. So probably no relation, he figured.
I figured he was correct. Another awkward silence. The bus thing had already made me a little defensive. Now I’m sitting here like, “Dude, what am I supposed to say to that? You think I know that guy? In Nebraska? Like we’re related? Can we talk about the job? What’s going on?”
I wish I hadn’t reacted that way. The guy was just trying to make a connection. It was a reach, but he tried. I should’ve met him there. “That’s cool, man. I don’t think I’m related to the Pontiac guy, but I’m sure he’s a good dude. Maybe if you hire me for this job and we really hit it off, you and I can fly to Nebraska and surprise your boy. We can all grab a beer or something. That would be pretty wild if we did that. I’d be super down, though. What’s your name again?”
Who knows, he might’ve gone for it. Instead, our conversation remained awkward until we both said goodbye and hung up. My bad on that one. I don’t even remember the guy’s name. Also, maybe I really am related to Mr. Witt at the old Pontiac dealership in Omaha. I mean, I can’t prove that I’m not. It’s not the most common name, Witt. Maybe there’s something there. Maybe if I met this dude we’d have a revelation after our third beer and realize we actually are related. Woah. I’m getting into this. I hope this job involves business trips to Nebraska.