Curiouser and Curiouser

I wrote this a week ago, it's taken me that long to post it. I've probably told most of you about it by now, but I thought it would make an interesting post anyway:

Yesterday I got a phone call at home from Gary Graves. Right out of the blue. I thought it was really weird he was calling me. When I left MSC, he basically shooed me out door, never told me "Thank you for the 3 years you worked here." Nothing.

Then he tries to make small talk and pretend he cares what I'm up to, like he's my friend or something: "So, is there anything new happening in your life?"
"No."
From there he was all business. "I was wondering if you would like to come back and work for me a few hours a week."
Silence on my part.
"I'd pay you $15 an hour."
Really, I think. Funny how you wouldn't give me a raise above $10 an hour for 2 1/2 years. He wouldn't even give Georgia or Lisa a raise the entire time I worked there. Or even after I left.
"I'm not sure. I'd have to think about it."
"OK. I'd really appreciate it if you would."
Yeah, whatever.
So I thought about it over night and talked to David about it. He said, "You should tell him you'll go back Stratton never works there again."
I thought that was a good plan until I realized I'd still have to deal with Gary and Sue. Ack! What was I thinking? Why did I even say I'd think about it? Because $15 an hour is a lot of money to me right now. But enough to get me to go back? Nope.

Today I called Gary to tell him my answer. I got his voicemail. I left a nice little message. "Thanks for thinking of me, but 25 hours a week is all I want to work right now and I already have that."
And I think that's the end of it. Whew! I don't have to talk to Gary again after all.

Then Gary calls me back.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. Your answer may still be the same, but let me clarify what I wanted. I don't want you to work for me on a permanent basis. Just for 2 or 3 days until I can hire someone else. It would really help me out if you could answer the phones while I did interviews and then passed along some of your knowledge when I do hire someone."
I thought about it for a few seconds, then told him, "The answer is still the same."
"Oh. Okay. Good-bye," and he hangs up. No "thanks for getting back to me" or anything. But, what did I expect? This IS Gary Graves we're talking about.
"Jerk!" I say after I hang up the phone.

If he's worked himself into a corner by mistreating all of his employees, then let him deal with it! I'm so glad I don't ever have to go back there again! Good Riddance!