It’s been a while now, since I last saw my friend Bill.  It was back in the 70’s when I first met Bill.  I was in my early 20’s and newly married with two young children.  I had tried my hand at being a cook for the H.J. Heinz Company, but found the work tedious for the amount of pay.  Then, I worked as a draftsman, who was moved into the blueprint room to pull double duty.

I got laid off from that electrical engineering company basically because of the economy, and the fact I had limited seniority.  One of those companies who had allot of chiefs, but not enough good Indians.  Collected unemployment while working part time as a contractor’s assistant, and made more money than I had in the past. However, the construction business being as it is I was forced to look for other employment.  My father being a big shot politician, with the right party in office, had access to jobs working for the state.  The pay scale was much higher than my previous jobs, and it had good benefits, so I was game.

I was scheduled to show up at the weigh station to meet my fellow workers.  Having a solid flow of cash, and few bills I had purchased a new Gran Prix.  The model was the best design they had to offer, and it was a sweet ride. Sky blue, with black leather and a black vinyl top, and loaded with equipment.  So, as I arrived at the weigh station in fine style, driving full speed over the scales, failing to consider someone walking by, I made an immediate poor impression.

As I walked into the small brick building they called the scales, and the semi drivers called the “Chicken Coops”, I was greeted rather coldly. One of the workers named Dwight indicated to me the error of my approach to the facility, and the possibilities of injury from my recklessness.  I felt instantly the stupidity of my attempts to be humorous, and the truthfulness of Dwight’s claims.

Sitting in your standard office chair apparently in total command of his environment, was a tall slender man with striking white hair, wearing glasses.  His name was Bill.  Bill looked at me with a slight grin, and stood up and offered his hand. I shook Bill’s hand and did the same with Dwight. I apologized for my immaturity, and short sighted approach to the facility.  That appeared to be the right response at the right time.