I'm Late!

I have the day off today. The rest of the folks from the Catholic schools in the region are attending some kind of training. Because I'm a temp, I'm not invited. Of course I'm not paid today, either. But that didn't stop me from going out last night and quaffing the noble brew.

My phone rang at 8:30 am. I probably would have slept a lot longer. I listened to the message. It's my boss. Although, she's not really my boss. She hired me and I've never seen her again. Except for the one time when she "dropped" by my class and did an unannounced, unsolicited observation and then proceeded to verbally critique me and offer me "advice." She even disciplined some unruly 6 year old during my lesson. In the end, she is my colleague who has been burdened with hiring other temps and running the "company" while the owner is MIA (not the pop-artist but missing in action). I'm sure that she must have some formal training but the company basically hires anyone who can mumble in Spanish. Because she is a Latina, she somehow knows what she is doing.

I listen to the voice mail. It's her. She says, "the principal from school x wrote me an email and said that you've been late a few times. give me a call."

shit. Just the way that I wanted to start my day, groveling to my equal and listening to her critiques. As if she is never late to a class. I staggered over to the computer and checked my email. I, too, received an email from the principal stating that "it's been brought to her attention...bla bla bla... it's important that I be in class on-time ready to teach...bla bla bla."

I wouldn't be in this mess if the home-room teacher wasn't such a biatch, for I'm sure that it was she who denounced me. She would have me lined up in the town square, put against the wall or shoved off the cliff into the river while tied to the other habitually tardy. What the F*ck does she care. All she does is sit at her desk, grade papers, surf the net while I'm teaching anyway! I know why. Because the damned kids are so mis-behaved that 5 min. without constant attention from a teacher and the class will be filled with smoke, students high as radio tower. But why didn't she say something to me first, why go straight to the principal, and why does the principal CC the email to my "boss." Holy f*ck people!!!

Now, it is true that I have rolled in more than 5 min. late on more than one occasion. But I can explain! First, the snot nose kids don't usually roll in until 5 late anyway, so why should I be there early? What, am I supposed to watch the homeroom teacher grade her papers? Should I go chill in the staff-room which consists of a table and chairs? Second, I'm commuting to get there and any little hitch in the traffic and I'm gonna be late; Never mind understanding and tolerance, we're at a Catholic school here people! Besides, what do these people expect, I'm a temp for crying out loud, I'm supposed to roll in late! If you want me to be on time, hire me like a normal person and give me my frikin salary and a half a baguette and a bottle of Bordeaux Supérieur!