The Old Guy

My Dad worked, once upon a time, at a health Club in Winnipeg. He was the Junior Boys Locker Room attendant. It was the perfect position for him, having raised us 4 boys and my sister. It was one of the last jobs he’d ever had.

I on the other hand was working many jobs to keep up with the bills of my little brood. And every once in a while I’d work at the same health club. I had life guard credentials, and had done some shifts at their pool. I also filled in for the Men’s Locker Room attendant when he’d gone on holidays.

One day a sharper guy in his 30’s came up to me and asked, “where’s the old guy?”

I figured I knew whom he meant, and so I walked into the area where the Junior Boys lockers were, seeing the Old Guy I said, “Hey, Dad, there’s a fellow here looking for youse”

I can’t really remember the look on the face of the smarmy guy, but I do think he felt awkward.

My Dad and I repeated that phrase many times since, always got us to laugh.

Just now I’m listening to Raymond Chandler’s, “Trouble is My Business” and one of the characters says exactly those words! I SO wish I could phone my Dad and read that paragraph to him, and listen to him burst out laughing.