That's what most people think. What I get usually told by people who come to LEGO as tourists or whatever. "So this must be like your dream job eh buddy? heh heh." "You must get to build LEGOs all day and shit. Lucky fucker." That's how they come off. Eh. LEGO is an alright job, not many complaints by all means for something corporate. But let me tell you all a story.
About a week ago or two ago. This cute little seven year old came into LEGO. He bought like 700 dollars worth of LEGO. It was crazy. So I said, "Wow, must be your golden birthday huh?" And this little boy looks at me all nonchalant and says, "I don't think I'll make it to my golden birthday. I have cancer." I looked at his parents with a, "Omg, seriously?" look. And the people I thought were his parents said, "Yeah we came all the way from Make a wish California to bring him to his favorite place and get him some LEGOs." that's not all either, he goes on to say that I am super cool and nice and gives me this plastic dolphin, "Here, so you can remember my face for when I come in again." And he smiles and they take his stuff and head out the door. I stay staring at this dolphin. Not knowing what to do or how to feel. But when it sunk in. It was quite the sadness.
Why do you ask. Not only did I feel like shit because that kid is intelligent, adorable and charismatic, but it's because he thought I was awesome. And he won't get to live anymore. And he doesn't understand that, I was just doing my regular routine. Do I ever have genuine moments? Yeah, but that wasn't one of them. Not until I knew what was up. Why do we have to be so fake??? I mean, why can't we be more relaxed? I guess for one thing. The kids won't understand our humor and demeanor at a young age.
What gets me is that they tell us we act the way we do to provide an amazing experience for everyone. And yeah that can be true, but it's really to make the company look good so some people can keep on making a ton of money. I mean LEGO, they pay us sales associates like around 8.50 each. And they make a steal. I mean one of my supervisors told me that we buy Millennium Falcons for less than 100 dollars. And we sell those for 500. A mini-figure is like 3 bucks each and we probs get them made for like 20 cents. Crazy huh? Corporations. They are a devilishly beautiful thing, and disturbingly amazing. But I'm sick of this. I think if my life takes too many wrong turns I'm going to go live one farming communes like Trevor, and i'm gonna become an activist against corporations. Even though it leads nowhere.
But first I have to see if the life of mother culture, corporations and money has any merits. Or anything worth staying for. I need more experience. I need more answers.
