"Clean up that piece of shit you idiot. Who do you think would do that? Your dad?", came the voice from
Mr.Nefarix
"Sure sir. Right away", I said in a sober tone.
Being the only cleaner in Googooland was not an easy job. Dumping shit seemed to be the only things these people ever do in this place.
Well, I am Janitix. 23 years old. Tall, Brown and stocky. I work under the Committe for Cleanliness for Googooland.
"Work is worship Son. All professions are equal. Donot think of any other profession as better or worse than what we do", my father Cleenix, used to say.
Now he is no more. Only his thoughts remain with me. My father is my inspiration. A very disciplined man who liked things clean. He could never stand to see even a speck of dirt in Googooland. He worked hard day and night and was solely responsible for Googooland's beauty.
A highly respected person he was.
Or was he...?
"A chip of the old block aren't you my boy", exclaimed Mr.Admirablix,seeing me cleaning the place up. Mr. Admirablix was one of the few men whom I liked to look upon as a father figure after my fathers departure.
"Oh you praise me a lot sir. I am just doing my duty", I said.
"Hmm, I have a few dirty cupboards which I would like you to help me clean. I will pay you 2 Goolas for it. When can you help me out?", said Mr. Admirablix.
"2 Goolas for cup boards? Sir, that is very generous of you. That is almost the amount I earn for a whole week of cleaning the place"
"I think you deserve it son. Sunday good for you then?"
"Sure sir. Anytime, you want, I would be there"
2 Goolas for cup-boards? I only wish the others were like him...
"Hey you, what the heck are you doing there wasting your time. Come over here you lazy bum", shouted Mr.Stingix
"Coming over sir. Yes. Please tell me what you want cleaned".
"I want you to come over this Sunday and help me clean my house. I have already booked you for this weekend at the Committee and I just wanted to inform you as well"
"But sir, I thought Sunday was a holiday", I said in a note of despair.
I was looking forward to going to Mr. Admirablix house during the weekend.
"WHAAAT!!!", exclaimed Mr.Stingix as if a bee just stung him.
"You good-for-nothing son-of-a-cleaner. Money has gone into your head hasnt it boy.
I payed an arm and leg at the committee to get you to work on Sunday. Be happy my boy,You get 5 Coolas.I think that ought to put things in a better perspective. Better be there."
I would recieve 40 times as much as this guy is offering me if only I went to Mr. Admirablix's house.
But I had no choice.
Or did I?
Well, I dont seem know the answer to this question. My father always used to ask me to go by the committees word and treat it as the word of God. I do respect him for all his wisdom. But what if he was wrong?
"Get out of here you good-for-nothing cleaner", was what Mr.Irritablix said, everytime my dad asked a holiday
"I dont loan money to people who cant repay", was what Mr.Greedix said, when my dad wanted some money
"Have I met you?", was what Mr. Oblivix asked my father , after all these years that my father has been cleaning
his house.
It is as if my father never even existed in this strange land of people. Only I seemed to carry his memory around.
"Son, a person who works in the "Company", is no better or no less than you. It is all the same my son. God intends each man to do his duty for the smooth functioning of a society. Let us do our role well and be proud of it."
I used to listen with awe as my father spoke these words. I watched with an open mouth,the amazing ease with which he was able to digest all the neglect and scorn he receieved from these ungrateful members.
All the members of Googooland who worked in the "Company" used to get a 1000 Goolas every week, while I seemed to get just 1 Goola a week.
I had no say in my salary. None.
My dad is gone and there is no one to give me the advice which can pull me through this misery. When he was around I could stand everything, as he stood as a towering giant of hope. But now,things are not the same.
I stand here in front of Mr.Stingix, a man who has absolutely no sense of respect for the work I do.
I wonder what I should say to him.
"Yes, sir. I would be there on Sunday"
- I once saw a software guy insulting a cleaner in office premises and treat him like Janitix is being treated in this story. I was inspired to write this as a reply to all those who have a "Holier than thou" attitude in life.
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