Job opportunities in tough times

I was meeting someone for a breakfast this morning. Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned around to see the Johnnie smile. I couldn’t help but laugh. You can’t help it when you run into Johnnie.

Johnnie owns a business in town, but I haven’t seen him for many years. We first crossed tracks in college. An organization on campus was placing foreign students with various types of organizations that had their own living facilities (fraternities, religious groups, clubs, etc.) so they could acquire a more in-depth understanding of our culture. Johnnie was placed with us, and had absolutely no problem assimilating.

A few months after the placements, the organization held a meeting of their wards and asked each of them to stand up and relate what they’ve learned about the culture in their new homes. Johnnie told them about life with us.

They sent someone to get his things. They didn’t even let him come back for them. They just relocated him that night.

Johnnie and I stayed in touch up to graduation. He contacted me then with a proposition. Even though he had become enamored with the lifestyle here, particularly with his money, it looked like he’d have to go back home when his student visa expired. He was from a very wealthy family in a very poor country.

The economic disparity meant that rich families lived in walled compounds. They employed bodyguards, especially for leaving the compound.

The proposition was that I go home with Johnnie and be his primary bodyguard. He would provide me with a cottage in the compound, three women and “plenty peegs an’ cheekins.”

I graduated in the midst of a recession. “Exactly how many pigs and chickens are we talking about?” This might not be the worst offer I received.

I didn’t accept the job and Johnnie didn’t have to go home. He was able to get advice from some highly placed officials about how to get his visa requirements waived. Of course, he paid some very substantial “consulting fees” for that.