#Can somebody pick me up and carry me to McDonalds please
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Get Me Out of Gotham
AN: Self-indulgent bullshit written, partly, while logging ‘cat-social-hours’, a phrase which here means, ‘sitting outside with a semi-feral cat to get him acclimated to his new home’. (The cat is nice, just skittish around people. He’s getting there.)
* * *
Nicole was going to see a therapist. She’d hit it off with a really nice man that had come in one night, even. He’d been a tall, thin man with a quiet demeanor and with nothing but five minutes and a few soft sentences, she’d been convinced he could help her with the nightmares and the paranoia.
But then she’d popped into the kitchen for somebody’s order and the chef had told her to stay away from him, that he was some freak called the Scarecrow who scared people literally to death for shits and giggles and science.
“But he said he’s a psychiatrist,” she’d said helplessly.
“Yeah. Used to be one, over at Arkham. Look, you wanna claw your own eyes out, that’s your business, but I’d stay away from him.”
So no therapy. She’ll get some, she decides, when she goes home. Six more months. She’s made it this long, right?
Six months, though. She still wakes up three nights a week. Sometimes the man shoots her in the head, sometimes the Red Hood advances on her next, intoning, “Let the punishment fit the crime.”
Sometimes she just has to run from him, but that faceless red mask is always a few steps behind her, like Michael Myers.
But. She’s. She’s doing okay, all things considered. She bought some pepper spray. She followed Batwatch and the GCPD on Twitter to help avoid anything major. Most people, her coworkers say, don’t see the vigilantes that often. Robin’s the most common one, then Batman, then Red Hood. Batgirl hasn’t been seen for years, she’s probably out of action. Sometimes someone (something?) called Nightwing pops into town, but he mostly operates in Bludhaven. So odds are she’ll be fine, right? Go to work, then stick to nice, normal places like Starbucks and Wal-Mart. Chains, she thinks, are key. Don’t be a local and it’s safer.
But she still hates walking under the skylight.
Taking out the trash sucks, too; the alley’s dark and cramped and it smells like death and rotting McDonald’s. And there’s rats, big ones that don’t scatter when she shakes the bag at them. Sometimes there’s a raggedy old cat with a torn ear and one eye, but it’s mean.
Tonight the lighting’s worse than ever. Their bulb’s out, apparently, and the neon sign across the street has a few letters not working, so all she’s got is a flashing purple girl and three blue ‘M’s. But that’s okay, because the dumpster’s literally ten steps from the door. It’s okay.
It’s not okay. She’s just hefting the bag up to try and hurl it in when the flashing neon goes sort of red in the corner of her eye. She drops the bag, already trying to tell herself it’s nothing.
It’s not nothing. The Red Hood’s slouched against the wall not three feet away. He raises his head, slow and deliberate, and rasps, “Who are you.”
Shit.
“I just. I just work here--I wait tables! Just tables! Please--”
“I’m not gonna hurt ya.” He sets his head back against the bricks. “Finish whatever you came out for and go back in. I was never here.”
Okay. Okay.
She bends down, picks up the bag, and inches towards the dumpster. Hood doesn’t move, but she thinks he’s watching her. She heaves the bag into the dumpster and steps away from him as fast as possible. And then she trips over her own feet and lands on her ass.
“Shit--”
“You okay?” The head moves again, still slow. “Need help up?”
Fuck no.
“No! No thank you. I’m. I’m just clumsy, I swear, I--”
“Breathe, kid.”
She shuts up, scrambles to her feet and tries to brush herself off. She’s just feeling for leftover gravel when the door opens and Dove’s annoyed voice says, “Hon, what are you doing out here--Hood?”
He waves.
“Hi, Miss Marquis.”
“What’s up?”
“Think I scared, uh…”
“Nicole.” No! No! Don’t tell the scary man her name! “Out-of-towner.”
“Oh.” He sounds like he’s trying to be nice when he tilts towards her and says, “Sorry.”
“What are you doing out here?” Dove demands. “It’s late as it is.”
“Flouting authority,” Hood says, shrugging towards the No Loitering sign behind him. “Yknow. Stickin’ it to the man.”
Nicole flashes back to the robbery. Can she go in? He’s not talking to her anymore, will he care? Is it safe? Maybe she should tell someone to tell Penguin. Or, like, the cops.
Dove coughs. Or maybe that’s her trying to hide a laugh, Nicole can’t tell.
“What else are you doing out here, kiddo.”
What.
That thing is no kiddo. He’s huge! He kills people!
Why did I think Gotham University was a good move? I got accepted into two other ones, why did I come here?
Hood’s silent for a minute, like he’s nervous or something. Nicole wonders if she can sneak back inside and hide in the bathroom.
“I got Pyg. Like. He won’t. He can’t hurt anyone else.”
Pyg? Who’s Pyg? Is he dead? Is he human?
Whoever he is, Dove must know, because she goes very still before saying, voice rough and ten years older, “You’re sure?”
“Pretty sure he’s not gonna grow a new head,” Hood says quietly. “So. Yeah. M’sure.”
So it was another person. That Hood murdered. Great. How many freaks are in this town? Pyg was not in the warning brochure she got with her college acceptance letter! He wasn’t even in the Google search!
Dove sighs and fidgets with the brace on her left wrist, and right about now Nicole wonders, again, where that came from. She’d asked, initially, but Dove had waved her off, said something about a mugger and goddamn meat-packing district with lazy beat cops, and she’d let it go.
“--sure you’re good? You’re movin’ kinda careful.”
“Storm’s coming.” So what, he’s got arthritis or something? “M’good. Just crackly.”
“Then go home before you get shot. Or worse.”
“M’fine--”
“I am going to worry and I am going to be upset and if I have to, I’ll call Harvey and have him tell Jim to call Batman on you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“See what happens.”
Nicole has no idea what’s happening here.
Hood’s silent for a few seconds, like he’s thinking things over.
“You would.”
“I would.”
He sighs, slumps a little more, and grumbles, “I’ll turn in early. Promise.”
“Thank you.” Dove turns to Nicole, jerks her head towards the door. “C’mon. Back to work for us. And you.” She jabs a finger at Hood. “You take care of yourself for once.”
“I always take care of myself!”
“Bullshit. Go home, kid. I mean it.”
He tips his head like he wants to shrug but can’t, says, “Thanks for the tip on that bastard.”
“Kinda wish I hadn’t picked it up,” Dove says dryly. “Home. Or I really will get Batman called on you.”
Nicole blinks and Hood’s just gone, like he was never there at all. Dove gives her a nudge back towards the door.
“Um…”
“Hm.”
“Mugger?”
“Always carry mace in this town.”
She does. But still.
You know what, no. No. She doesn’t wanna know, she’s not gonna go home and Google ‘Pyg’ or anything at all, she’s gonna go home and lock all the doors and hide under the covers and try not to have nightmares about rolling heads and gunshots.
Christ, why did she come here?
THE END
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Disuphere Universe Miniseries: The Early Years: Pearl
When Pearl is born...well...that’s when Paris’s whole world changes.
He’s always wanted to be a dad, see. And wanting that made him too eager to marry the first woman he thought he could start a life with.
Carla’s younger, sure. Twenty to his thirty. But they got along. Had fun together. She was such a nice person. Everybody said so. Everybody in town. Carla had a reputation for being well-liked. She was fun. A free spirit. So, pregnancy got her down a little bit. Morning sickness and all that.
When they got the first ultrasound? Their baby was nothing but a tiny speck.
“Just like a little Pearl,” Carla had remarked.
“Honey, we don’t know if it’s gonna be a girl or not. Right now, it’s just a baby.”
“Oh, she’ll be a girl, all right,” Carla had said in that way she had of convincing everybody around her to listen to her. “She’ll listen to me because I’m her mom.”
Sure enough, Carla’s right. They’re having a girl. Even though Paris suggested the name Evangeline, after his great grandmother who raised him, Carla had scoffed and Paris had tried not to show how deeply her reaction hurt.
“She’s a baby, Paris. I don’t want her named after some old lady from the 1800’s. It’s 1983!”
One afternoon in June, Paris gets home to find Carla gone, and a note, left on the door, in Carla’s handwriting:
��St. Joseph’s. Baby. Water broke at store. Hurry.”
Paris doesn’t remember making the drive to the hospital. Stopping by the receptionist’s desk. Being told Carla West was in labor and delivery, and he was welcome to wait in the waiting room.
He just remembers pacing. Pacing and pacing and pacing. Trying to tune into the news on in the corner about how there’s about to be a U.S. woman going up in space for the first time.
Paris finds himself thinking of Pearl. Imagining possibilities for her. She could be an astronaut someday. Paris is not naive. He knows this is not an ideal world. But he would like to make it as close to one as possible for his daughter.
It’s just after 9 PM when somebody comes to speak to him. Informs him that he has a beautiful baby daughter. He goes to Carla first, who asks him to go write the baby’s name out for the birth certificate:
“Pearl Marie,” she insists, spelling it out for him like he’s not, in fact, ten years her senior.
(He knows, very well, that Marie is Carla’s grandmother’s middle name, as well as her own. Her hypocrisy in this strikes him like a blow.)
“I got it,” he answers, and walks out of the room. To the nursery, where a nurse holds up his tiny baby, Pearl.
He takes a good look at her, crying and perfect. God, Paris has never seen a more amazing baby. He taps on the door, and asks to come and have a closer look.
“Please, I’m a new dad,” he all but begs. “Carla West’s my wife. Just had a baby girl.”
“Of course. Baby Girl West is right here. Does she have a name yet?” a nurse asks, picking up baby Pearl and handing her to Paris to hold.
“She sure does. Her name is Pearl Evangeline West.” He takes his time. Spells it carefully. Knows it will be a few days before Carla knows anything, and by then, it will be too late to change it.
“Marie means bitter, baby, and you are not bitter. You are a bringer of good news. Just like your great, great grandma was. Yes, you are.”
In his arms, Pearl stirs and opens her eyes, squinting at the bright lights. Her tiny hand finds his big old finger. Grabs on. Holds tight.
“Hello, Pearl. I’m your daddy,” Paris tells her, soft. Gentle. He feels filled with certainty that this will be the greatest thing he will ever be. The biggest job he will ever have. His most important responsibility. “Are you gonna be an astronaut?” he asks.
Pearl yawns. Her eyes fall closed. She’s still holding onto Paris’s finger.
Somewhere, a nurse snaps a picture with a Polaroid camera. Paris in a rocking chair. His arms full of sleeping baby Pearl, clinging onto his finger. When he knows he’s been gone too long, Paris reluctantly puts Pearl back. Tucks the Polaroid into his jeans.
Goes back to Carla.
--
On June 12th, they come home, a family of three.
Carla is exhausted, and still angry about his giving the ‘wrong name’ for Pearl’s birth certificate. Paris is a pretty patient guy. He’ll blame her current mood on the hormones.
“It ain’t the wrong name, honey. It’s her name,” Paris points out.
“It’s Pearl Marie. I told you,” Carla snaps.
“I can take her. Hold her for a bit,” Paris offers. “You can get some rest.”
“Oh no. Who knows what else you’re gonna do? Change her birth date?” Carla jeers, holding onto Pearl tighter, so she fusses.
“Carla, that’s not… Come on…” Paris hates that he’s all but begging to hold his own baby. But what else can he do right now? Might as well let Carla simmer down a little.
--
Turns out, there is one huge chunk of time where Carla cannot be bothered to hoard baby Pearl. And that’s anytime between about 8 PM and 8 AM. So, Paris is up at 10 PM, and midnight, and 2 AM and 4 AM, and 6 AM. Heating up formula. Changing diapers. Singing to Pearl.
It’s exhausting, especially as there ain’t no such thing as paternity leave. So he’s got to be out the door at 8:30 AM to work a full day, after making sure Carla’s awake to take the baby.
But the half a dozen times Paris is up at night? That’s their time. When Pearl looks wide awake, and smiles at him at 4 AM, Paris can’t help but smile back.
It’s these times, late at night, while Pearl’s taking her bottle like a champ that Paris talks to her about himself. (“Confession time, baby, your daddy? Is smart. And that’s how I know you’ll be smart, too. Maybe not book-smart like your old dad. But maybe you’ll be people-smart. Or street-smart. Everybody’s some kind of smart. Including you.”) He tells Pearl about his family, knowing just how little Carla likes to associate with them.
But if Paris has anything to say about it? Pearl is gonna know where she’s from. Her family. Her people.
--
Things start to decline in the marriage, even while Pearl flourishes.
Standing at 6 months. Full on running 3 months later. Never even crawled.
She talks for the first time at 9 months old, running up to Paris as he arrives home from work with an exuberant, “Hi, Dada!”
Paris scoops her up, and greets her, equally happy to see her. “Hi, Pearl! How you doin’? You good?”
She nods, and wraps chubby arms around his neck.
(Carla, of course, is livid that Pearl’s first word is not Mama, like it “should be.” Paris tries to ignore it. Tries to protect baby Pearl from the onslaught of negativity.
Pearl’s two, speaking full sentences and reading The Cat in the Hat like a pro. But Carla seems completely unprepared for what to do when Pearl reaches her end at McDonald’s one afternoon. She wants to play on the playground and doesn’t seem interested in eating her food.
“I’m gonna slide and merry-go-round,” Pearl tells them, as Paris manages to convince Pearl to eat one French fry by covering it in ketchup and offering it to her.
“God, Paris. She’s two years old. She’s not a baby.”
Paris sits back. “Do you hear yourself?”
“I’m gonna slide and merry-go-rooouund!” Pearl insists.
“After you eat your food!” Carla snaps, in a mocking voice.
Though, she’s just a toddler, Pearl knows when she’s being teased. The lip comes out. Her eyes fill with tears.
“Pearl, McDonald’s is a treat. If you can’t be happy, we can’t come here anymore,” Carla warns.
Paris’s heart breaks, as he watches Pearl, unable to keep it together and at naptime, no less, breaking into tears.
Carla wastes no time scooping her out of the booth and carrying her to the car. She falls asleep on the drive home.
--
The next time Paris is coming back from work, he makes a stop at a local store and cases their toy aisle. Until he finds what he is looking for. A grumpy Care Bear with a sad cloud on its front. Paris buys it, knowing some things, you gotta make an exception for, even if money’s tight.
Carla’s getting her hair cut a few hours later when Paris gives the toy to Pearl:
“This is for you. I know Mommy told you you had to be happy all the time--”
“--or no McDonald’s,” Pearl remembers, sad.
“Right. But this right here? This is a special friend named Grumpy Bear. See, how he’s not smiling?”
Pearl studies the bear, concern showing in her eyes.
“Well, that’s because Grumpy Bear wants you to know if you’re grumpy, you can tell him. Or you can tell Daddy, too.”
“He can’t go to McDonald’s…” Pearl says, regretful, cuddling the bear.
“He absolutely can go to McDonald’s,” Paris corrects her, gentle. “But how about, before we go, we talk about what’s gonna happen when we get there.”
“Okay,” Pearl agrees with a smile that melts Paris’s heart. He talks her through how they’ll tell what they want. Then, they’ll get their food. Then, they’ll eat their food, and then they’ll play on the slide and the merry-go-round.
He writes it all on a receipt in simple words. Gives it to her to carry. He can hear her talking to Grumpy Bear in the car:
“Don’t worry, Grumpy. We get to go to McDonald’s. We don’t have to be happy all the time. See? Look at this list. This is what we’re gonna do.” She shows the bear the list, talking him through all the steps.
When they get there, Pearl still wants to slide, but Paris is able to reason with her, by making quick work of ordering their food and then pointing out that they’re already one step closer to getting to play on the playground.
He occupies her by asking if she can read NO SWEAT, written on his hat. She correctly reads NO and almost reads SWEAT.
“No sweat means something is easy,” Paris explains.
“Not hard?” Pearl checks.
“Not hard,” he confirms.
“That’s why your hat says NO SWEAT? Because going to McDonald’s is easy?” Pearl asks.
“That’s right. Know what else is easy?” he asks.
“What?” Pearl asks, standing Grumpy Bear on the table.
“Loving you. You’re such a good girl. You’re smart and kind. You’re curious.”
“Like Curious George!” Pearl pipes up. “Pearl was curious…” she quotes, except that line originally had George, the monkey’s name in it.
“That’s right!” Paris laughs. “And you can have all the feelings you have. Because feelings are good.”
“Okay, Daddy,” Pearl beams.
Their food comes.
They eat.
He catches her as she slides down the biggest slide.
Pushes her on the merry-go-round.
She falls asleep again in the car on the way home, but at the end of a much better day.
--
It’s two years later. October 24th, 1987.
Pearl’s four and has just started kindergarten. Paris has spent the last couple of years talking to lawyers, and anybody who will listen about his situation. About the state of their marriage that has only gotten more and more awful. About the effect that it’s having on Pearl.
But it’s no use. Everyone he talks to says if he divorces Carla, custody will likely stay with her. No judge awards it to fathers unless there’s significant abuse or neglect.
And even though he’s glad it hasn’t gotten that bad, he also knows, the verbal and emotional wounds Pearl has already, thanks to her mom, will last. Even though they don’t scar, the damage will be there.
Paris thinks long and hard about what to do. Actually has Pearl in the car. Just picked her up from school. And it would be so easy. So, so easy to just drive away with her. To let Carla find the papers in the mail when she gets home from work today.
But Paris can’t do that. So, he talks to Pearl on the way home, like always. Tells her he loves her. Tells her he will see her later. Gives her a kiss. And drops her off with the neighbor, who babysits her while he and Carla work.
“Bye, Daddy!” Pearl calls, smiling.
“Bye, Pearl. I’ll see you real soon. I promise.”
(But he doesn’t.
Carla’s madder than a wet hen when she finds out about the divorce.)
And what’s worse? As he’s pulling into a motel for the night? He finds Grumpy Bear, on the floor in the back seat of the car.
Paris brushes him off. Brings him inside. He’ll go to the post office in the morning. Mail it first thing.
It just doesn’t seem right that Pearl be without her favorite toy.
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You're a Giraffe; I'm a Penguin
Alexander x Reader
Word Count: 1400
“What an odd change of events,” Alexander muttered, his arms crossed, petulantly.
You looked up at him, unamused, “Alexander,” you deadpanned before getting back to work on your essay, “I’m nearly done.”
“You said that two days ago!” He whined, flopping down so he was laying on your bed. “I miss you.”
You rolled your eyes, keeping your eyes trained on your work in front of you, “That’s how I feel all the time, Alex,” you argued, raising your eyebrows. “I have to get this finished.”
He nodded his head, understandingly, “I get it,” he mumbled, “But I really think you need a break.”
You sighed, letting your pen drop, “Because you take a break every time I ask you to?” You jeered, looking back at him, daring him to disagree with you.
“This is different,” he muttered, peering up at you, hopefully, like somebody who thought they could win this conversation by being adorable.
“How is it different?” You challenged, raising your eyebrows. “I ask you millions of times to take a break when you get into your little writing moods, and you never do!”
Alexander sighed, sitting up in your bed, “Okay,” he sighed, “How about this, then? The next time you want me to take a break, I will; but only if you take a break right now and go out on a date with me. That’ll be fun, won’t it?”
You looked down to your essay; it was worth 25 percent of your final grade… You’ve already edited it a few times, you’re on your fourth round… I mean, it’s good; you’ve edited it three times, nearly four! “Alright,” you sighed, “Just let me finish this page…”
Alexander’s face was overtaken by his smile as he shot out of bed, “Okay,” he beamed, “I’ll go get ready,” and off he went, to put on his jacket and shoes.
***
“Where to?” You asked, buckling your seatbelt, looking to your boyfriend, happily. You knew your essay was fine, but had it not been for Alexander, you would still be editing it.
“Fist,” Alexander grinned, “A very romantic lunch.”
A short ten minutes later, you were in the McDonalds parking lot. Upon seeing the golden arches, you chuckled, “Alexander,” you shook your head, beaming, “You’ve outdone yourself, really.”
He looked at you for a moment before leaning over the centre console and kissing your cheek, quickly, “Let’s go,” he smiled, climbing out of his door, hurriedly.
“We’re going to have such a great afternoon,” Alexander said proudly, leading you to one of the many tables; pulling out your chair, dramatically, he grinned, “M’lady; you stay here, I’ll get us our food.”
You smirked, shaking your head, “You’re too kind, Alexander.”
He grinned, leaning down to kiss the very top of your head, “I try,” he said, his voice muffled by your hair. And off he went, your knight in shining armour, to get your McDonalds order.
Upon his arrival back to your table, he placed the tray in-between you two, and handed you your drink; “I am the luckiest girl in the entire world,” you grinned, taking your cup.
Alexander nodded his head in agreement, taking your hand in his, only to kiss the back of it; “Or I’m the luckiest boy,” he smiled, shrugging his shoulders.
You shook your head, beaming, “And what are we doing after this?” You asked, picking out a fry for yourself.
Alexander smirked, but shook his head, “It’s a surprise,” he grinned, “I can’t tell you. Classified information.”
You couldn’t help but roll your eyes; “Okay,” you agreed, “But if I guess it right, you have to tell me, alright?”
Alexander hurriedly shook his head, “No!” He exclaimed, “Last time we did that you got it on your first guess,” he cried, “We’re not doing that again.”
You felt your cheeks heat up, only a little bit; you had hoped he wouldn’t remember that. Biting your lip, you replied, “Maybe that won’t happen again,” you grinned, softly.
Alexander shook his head, “No,” he said through a mouth full of burger, “Not happening.”
You rolled your eyes, “Can I have a hint?” You asked, cocking your head to the side.
But your boyfriend held his ground; “Nope,” he answered, “You’re just going to have to be patient and wait.”
You continued to pout.
“We’ll be there in, like, half an hour,” He sighed, “Can’t you wait half an hour?”
You nodded you head, sighing, “I guess,” you replied, reaching your hand across the table, wanting him to hold it. Once he did, you began to fiddle with his fingers. “Maybe you should eat a little bit faster.”
It was less than half an hour when you and him were finally parking the car; your eyes had been closed, under strict instructions by your boyfriend. “Can I open?” You asked, hopefully, already beginning to open your eyes.
“Yes,” Alexander laughed, keeping his eyes trained on you, gauging your reaction.
You, hurriedly, opened your eyes, excited to see where Alexander had taken you this time; however, after having your eyes closed so long they were taken back by how bright it was outside. Blinking a few times, your face instantly broke out into a smile, “The zoo?” You asked, looking at your boyfriend, excitedly.
He nodded his head, grinning, “The zoo,” he confirmed, unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of the car.
Quickly you followed him, jogging to catch up, you immediately held his hand in yours. “I haven’t been to the zoo in years!” You exclaimed, “I love the zoo!”
Alexander chuckled, swinging his arm with yours, “I know,” he grinned, leaning over to place a gentle kiss onto your cheek.
You were absolutely beaming; flinging your arms around his neck, you hugged him, tightly.
“Wow,” Alex laughed, wrapping his arms around your waist, “If I had know you’re so easily pleased, we could’ve came here sooner…”
You shook your head before pulling away; “Come on,” you laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling you to the entrance, “I want to see the giraffes.”
***
All throughout the zoo date, your hand never left Alexander’s; even when you were eating your ice cream cone, you ate with your subordinate hand.
Arms swinging, the two of you adventured through the zoo, stopping at every pen and peering in to see the animals; you’re favourite was the giraffes, Alexander’s was the penguins.
“They’re so cool,” he said, watching as the penguins dove to the bottom, then jumped right back up.
You nodded your head in agreement, “Very cool,” you said, taking another lick of your ice cream cone. “Penguins are the coolest birds; they can’t fly or anything, they don’t let that stop them,” you admired, eyes trained on the swimming little guys, “They’re still adorable.”
Alexander nodded his head, “Very admirable creatures,” he commented before turning his face down so he could see you, “You’re adorable, too.”
You looked up at him, smiling at his offhand comment, “Thank you,” you grinned, “I think you’re adorable, too.”
“Thanks,” he replied, beaming, leaning down to give you a proper kiss. It was only a quick one, on account of you two being in public. You liked it, anyway.
After watching the penguins for some time, you decided to carry on; grabbing Alexander’s hand, you pulled him towards the next attraction. Alligators.
“Not as cute,” you commented, swinging arms with Alexander once again, “But just as cool. They could open their mouths pretty wide… Kind of like you,” you smirked, keeping your eyes down tot he alligator in its pen.
“Wow,” Alexander rolled his eyes, letting go of your hand and instead wrapping his arms around your shoulders, “I call you a cute little penguin, and you call me a creepy alligator?” He asked, forging offence.
You smirked up at him, leaning into his side, “I was just kidding,” you muttered, “You’re not an alligator; you’re more like a… A giraffe. My favourite thing.”
“Heh,” Alexander sighed, “I like that one, I’d like to lock it in,” he smiled, looking down at you, his face completely overtaken by his smile.
You smiled back up at him, “Okay,” you grinned, “You’re a giraffe, I’m a penguin.”
“Are you glad you took a break?” He asked, not bothering to disguise the hope in his voice.
You nodded your head, “Yes,” you grinned, “Yes, I am… Thank you, Alexander.”
“Anything for you, little penguin.”
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Coronavirus: Working in fast-food during pandemic, in workers’ words
Fast-food workers are still considered essential employees during the coronavirus outbreak.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
More than 100 people responded to Business Insider’s callout to tell us what it is like working in fast food during the coronavirus outbreak.
Workers at chains including McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Arby’s, and Burger King discussed fears of infection, financial concerns, and looking for new jobs.
“I haven’t seen my son or family in a week out of fear of infecting them unknowingly,” said one Domino’s driver.
Read on to hear from fast-food employees about working during the coronavirus epidemic in their own words.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
As fast-food chains remain open across America amid the coronavirus outbreak, many workers feel as though they are putting their lives at risk by going to work.
When Business Insider put a call out for fast-food workers to share what it is like working during the coronavirus outbreak, we received more than 100 responses from people, many of whom were deeply worried about their health or the health of a family member.
Business Insider spoke further with many of these workers via email, phone calls, and social media direct messages about what it is like working during the coronavirus pandemic. We verified these workers’ identities and employment through pay stubs or other documentation. The workers were either granted anonymity or referred to only by their first name in order to speak freely about their experience.
“I fear catching this virus and taking it home,” one McDonald’s worker said. “I’m already poor. I live paycheck to paycheck, but I would much rather be out of work to help prevent the spread to my children or anyone else.”
“I’m currently looking for work-at-home opportunities, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make the transition before becoming infected,” a Domino’s driver said. “I haven’t seen my son or family in a week out of fear of infecting them unknowingly.”
Read on to hear from employees at chains including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, and Taco Bell describe in their own words what it is like working during the coronavirus pandemic.
Quotes have been edited for clarity and length. All fast-food chains mentioned in this article were given an opportunity to comment on employees’ fears of getting sick and weathering financial concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A worker at McDonald’s
A McDonald’s employee wearing a face mask looks out as a Glovo food delivery courier picks up an order.
Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
My concern is I will get the virus and take it home to my kids. Fast-food drive-thrus aren’t safe. I deal with customers that will cough, sneeze and then hand you their money. Sorry, but you also can’t trust every worker to be clean.
I do need to work, but I also have two kids that have been hospitalized due to rare disease and I myself have health issues. I fear catching this virus and taking it home. I’m already poor. I live paycheck to paycheck, but I would much rather be out of work to help prevent the spread to my children or anyone else.
I love my kids and want them to stay safe. Please help the poor who are still being forced to take risks.
Ryan, a worker at Dunkin’
Dunkin’ rest stop location.
Rebecca Harrington/Business Insider
The threat is so close and near I can practically smell the illness around me. I have expressed my concerns to my franchisees about sick workers and the amount of hours I will be required to work (sick or not) to keep their store running.
Mondays are my day off… my one and only day off … I had to go into work two different times that day … one in the morning and then again in the afternoon. After going in on my day off, I now have to work who knows how many hours until next Monday to actually get some rest.
How will I spend my day off? Resting because my feet are throbbing and I have no energy after working multiple positions and a million hours. I am on salary so on top of it I have no overtime to compensate financially what I myself am going through and doing to make somebody sitting in an office money.
I do hope other fast food workers aren’t going through the same as I am. Hopefully I do not get sick from the lack of rest. [I] hope my daughter doesn’t continue to be mad at her father because I was unable to take her on the weekend.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests, employees, franchisees, their restaurant teams and the communities we serve,” Dunkin’ said in a statement. “We have implemented temporary brand standards, guidelines and enhanced safety measures at Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, including moving to a carry-out or drive-thru model only, suspending the use of reusable mugs, and allowing franchisees to encourage cashless transactions where permissible. Additionally, in response to national guidance on social distancing and mandates in certain jurisdictions, franchisees have marked floors with painter’s tape in six-foot increments to help ensure the safety of restaurant workers and guests who choose to order inside the restaurant, where permissible, and restaurant workers are also maintaining distance by keeping to their own work circles.
Between the federal bill that goes into effect April 1, jurisdictions that already mandated sick pay, and franchisees who have been offering sick pay as part of a suite of benefits to their employees, the great majority of crew members at Dunkin’ restaurants should have access to sick pay benefits during this time of crisis.
We and our franchisees remain vigilant in helping to minimize exposure and we will continue to do our best to provide a safe, secure restaurant experience for our guests and restaurant workers during this challenging and uncertain time.”
A worker at McDonald’s
McDonald’s.
Reuters
My job has been done away with. I am a janitor. I clean bathrooms and dining area and take out the trash and clean the parking lot. But now, I have no public to clean up after.
I wish customers would stay home and not eat fast food. … Ultimately, I understand by not having customers I won’t have a job. But I want my fellow Americans to be safe.
I don’t know what I’ll do with no education to get a better job and not being able to get any help until I can prove I need it when I only get paid for four hours a week.
A worker at Arby’s
Arby’s.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
I think everyone that has to work during this crisis — medical, retail, and fast food industry — should get paid more for putting their families at risk. Why is this not something that is going into effect? If we have work during this crisis and put our families at risk why, are we not being taken care of?
I am all for feeding the hospital employees, emergency personnel, but our governor said that basically people can travel just to go get take out. How is this stopping the spread of the virus?
Also, our customers need to be more understanding in our drive-thrus.We are there to serve them during the most scary time in our lives. Be nice to us and [do] not act like we are carriers of the virus.
People actually look at me is disgust, like I am infected by the virus. I go to hand them their change and they act like they don’t want to touch. I don’t want to touch you either, but I put a smile on my face and treat you with respect.
Arby’s did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
A worker at Taco Bell
Taco Bell.
Taco Bell
We only have seven of us that work each shift, which is less than the recommended 10. We are drive-thru only, and if we don’t stay open I can’t pay my bills or send child support to my kids. I am grateful that so far I’m able to continue working, but I fear with restaurants being ordered to close, I won’t have any way to pay my bills or support my children.
I am more afraid of restaurants closing, including ours, than I am of getting sick. I would like customers to know we are taking extra precautions including all of us wearing gloves, including those who aren’t handling food, to ensure employees as well as our customers stay protected.
“We hear them and we understand their concerns,” a Taco Bell representative said. “Taco Bell and its franchisees, which consist of 350 small businesses, are working to ensure our restaurants are the safest places to work and eat.”
Taco Bell has rolled out new safety measures last two weeks, including providing gloves for all cashiers, increasing sanitizing routines, and ensuring hand sanitizer is available for workers and customers. Taco Bell is working on procedures to help workers with social distancing while working, according to a representative.
“The drive-thru business continues to be essential, and one of the safest ways, for individuals and families to get food quickly and affordably,” a Taco Bell representative said.
A worker at McDonald’s
McDonald’s.
Ann Saphir/Reuters
Every time a customer asks for a sauce, napkins, etc., I always see them reaching into their bag for fries — shoving it in their mouths and reaching out for what they asked for. I can sometimes feel the salt on my hands from their fries. That’s when I start to wonder do people even care about us. Sure, I can wear gloves but I’ll be concerned in changing my gloves consistently in order to keep the next customer safe.
A lot of employees go to work worried what will happen next to their jobs. All people see and hear is what the news and social media tells them. They need to be more vocal to us, and keep us with a positive mind set.
Am I worried about getting sick at work? Yes, I have little sister at home and my mom is diabetic. Not only do I risk my health, but I risk my [family’s health]. You can’t forget about others. If I’m working without knowing I have the virus, I can infect many more.
A worker at Domino’s
Domino’s worker.
AP Images / Sunday Alamba
We almost always have over 10 workers working at one time sometimes 20 on the weekend in a very small store. It’s very crowded.
With about seven to 12 drivers a shift coming into contact with what is estimated to be 10 people — some much more depending on the length of their shift — then each returning to the store after each delivery, it feels like I’m being exposed to the 10 to 20 co-workers plus everyone every driver delivers to that shift resulting in direct and indirect exposure to 100s of people a day.
Unfortunately I’m not able to stop going to work unless Domino’s lays me off so I can draw unemployment, I’m currently looking for work-at-home opportunities, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make the transition before becoming infected. I haven’t seen my son or family in a week out of fear of infecting them unknowingly.
When asked for comment on worker’s concerns, a Domino’s representative said that the chain is using contactless delivery and many locations are instituting contactless carry out. All dine-in spaces are closed, and the chain has increased cleaning and sanitizing protocols.
“For decades we have delivered to first responders, hospitals, shelters and neighbors in need,” Domino’s CEO Ritch Allison said in a statement. “It is our honor and privilege to do this for communities worldwide. While this global pandemic is a new challenge for us all, we will continue to follow advice of all health authorities and work hard to continue to feed our communities safely.”
A worker at Burger King
Burger King.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
Since the coronavirus has become a pandemic and New York has become quite an unstable place due to panic/the spread of the virus, there have been plenty of policies enacted or discussed. Many of these are foolish.
We are still allowing customers to come inside and use the restrooms and order food.
We have to continually deal with close proximity with customers (and clean restrooms that they use).
In both drive-thru and in the dining room, we are to use these plastic containers to hand and accept credit cards and money. What foolish corporate idea is this? We are still touching the money — this protects nobody. And close contact is still necessary because the containers are not nearly six feet long.
Furthermore, the corporate decision was to have us bag up the food for drive thru, set it on a food tray, and hand it out to the customers in their cars. Try balancing a tray with a bunch of drinks on it and the incapable hands of a consumer strapped into their seat by a seat belt.
The drinks almost fall over every time and the customers continue to look at us with wild eyes like we are crazy for doing this. I explain to everyone that it’s stupid, but I must follow through because it’s what the company has mandated.
“Burger King has over 65 years of experience serving affordable, convenient, and delicious food that is a critical part of the routine of millions of Americans every day,” a representative said in a statement. “We can help take the pressure off of overwhelmed grocery stores and families by offering dependable, clean and contact-less service via drive-thru and delivery and takeout options.”
The statement continued: “In places where required, we will be moving to drive-thru and delivery/takeout only operations and complying with public health guidelines and recommendations. The health and safety of our guests and team members is our top priority. We have enhanced our already strict food safety and sanitation practices in our restaurants and are well positioned to operate safely during this challenging time for our nation and do our part to flatten the curve.”
A worker at Taco Bell
Taco Bell.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
Because our lobbies are closed, our drive thru goes non-stop, one car after the other. It is exhausting us and it is making us weaker.
We are working ten times harder for no reason. We are human too. Yes, it’s nice to have a job when so many are losing theirs but it isn’t worth the risk.
A worker at Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box.
David McNew/Getty
Here in Alabama, the stores are out of a lot of products and it’s hard for us to get the items we need because we are at work in the restaurant. Single moms and dads cannot be at work daily and take care of their children at home because school is out. You cannot get a babysitter for them because you don’t know who has it.
This thing is an airborne disease that is basically a silent killer that we don’t know we have. I personally believe that [at] this time it would be better if everyone if they shutdown everything for a few weeks and try to protect everyone involved.
I would rather lose a paycheck or two then keep going out to the job and possibly bringing it home to my daughter.
It seems like people don’t think it will happen to them. Unfortunately we all are at risk. It’s not worth losing your life over to be an employee to the public. It’s time for everyone to be home and trying to protect everyone else.
A Jack in the Box representative said in a statement: “We appreciate our employees who continue to serve the public during these challenging times. Out of concern for their safety and the communities that we serve, we are continuing to follow national and state guidelines by implementing a contact-less system with our drive-thru, delivery and carryout services. We’ve always mandated heightened sanitization requirements as an ongoing practice. During this time, we are further protecting our employees and customers by implementing additional strict procedures to deeply clean and disinfect all surfaces every hour, such as sanitizing our cash registers more frequently and enacting mandatory hand-washing and glove wearing procedures.
For our company-owned restaurants, we have implemented a temporary sick pay and special quarantine program, and have encouraged our franchisees to follow suit. We’ve instructed anyone who is not feeling well to stay home. As most of our restaurants are franchise-owned and operated, we are closely monitoring and checking in regularly with all franchisees to ensure that our employee and guests’ well-being are the number one priority.”
A worker at McDonald’s
McDonald’s.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
I am fearful every time I go into work about bringing something home. I would say that my concerns for my children are higher than what I feel it would be a concern for myself. The fact that I have children who are high-risk makes the stress of being there even worse.
I see employees that are not using proper hand-washing. I have seen employees that will pick their nose and rub their faces and cough into their hands. Nobody is doing anything to correct it. When I see these things, I immediately wash my hands and protect myself the best way that I can.
I know that we are helping out nurses with their coffees and truckers. They also need to understand that our situation — I feel at least — is that we are serving people with very high risk. It has been shown through the media that travelling is one of the biggest reasons how people catch the coronavirus. We are dealing with these people who are travelling through province to province.
Brent, a worker at Taco Bell
Taco Bell.
Crystal Cox/Business Insider
We see Doctors, EMTs, and other “Essential Employees” making “hazard pay” and other differentials. It’s disgusting that we aren’t even recognized financially by the state, let alone the federal government.
We aren’t asking for $15/hr or anything permanent. We just want to be financially sound during this time of being considered “essential.”
Just this week I began taking time off, USING my vacation, just to give my own shifts to my Shift Managers and Team Members and give them hours. It’s the least I can do, as well as assist them with UC claims.
I wish no harm on Taco Bell, or even the franchise I work for, I simply want our country to acknowledge us for the HUGE job we do, just like our Doctor and EMT counterparts who are paid way more than us.
I don’t want my team to hate their job, due to a change in customer base. We love Taco Bell. The franchise and company in itself have always been amazing. I just think this disease is bringing out the worst in everyone and everything.
Niki, a worker at McDonald’s
McDonald’s drive-thru.
Yaoinlove/Shutterstock
I work at a McDonald’s, in the cash collecting window most of the day. There are so many things being talked about and done in response to this crisis.
And yet nothing is being done or even discussed about the collection of money. Every car that uses cash causes me to dip back into what is very likely a contaminated drawer. I am practically bathing in hand sanitizer.
I fear that I’m a soldier on the front line, bound to be the first to fall. Over cheeseburgers.
McDonald’s has been continually internally updating its approach to the coronavirus, as the virus spreads and states update their local regulations. While franchisees — not McDonald’s corporate headquarters — control operations in 95% of restaurants, the fast-food giant has been constantly revising and updating guidelines to share with franchisees.
Last week, locations shut seating areas, moving to carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery. All stores are now rolling out contactless service, which includes updating how employees are configured while working and creating ways to get food made and handed off to customers without any contact.
“While we continue to serve our communities, the safety, wellness and economic security of our customers and employees is our top priority as it has been throughout our 65-year history and especially today,” US President Joe Erlinger said in a statement shared with Business Insider when asked for comment.
A worker at Starbucks
Chairs are stacked in a Starbucks coffee shop that remained open for customers purchasing for take-away, Monday, March 16.
AP Photo/John Minchillo
I hate to generalize, but so many Starbucks customers are extremely entitled. They will cough all over us without covering their mouths, they will berate is, all in the midst of a pandemic.
Corporate has made it clear that they don’t care about us, as those of us who are sick with a fever or chest pain, are told to come in if we can’t find coverage. This isn’t only hazardous to fellow employees, but to any customers as well. I have asthma, and going into work where i come in contact with people who are absolutely careless terrifies me.
With the curve not being flattened, more and more cases are being announced every day. As medical professionals have stated, COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease. Starbucks can afford to close its stores and still pay its employees, but they are choosing to side with the profit.
Since Business Insider spoke to this Starbucks employee, the chain has rolled out some of the boldest corporate responses to the pandemic. Last Friday, Starbucks announced it was closing all cafés, moving to a drive-thru and delivery-only model. All workers would be paid for 30 days, whether they went to work or not, with employees who did attend work getting a $3 raise.
JP, a worker at McDonald’s
McDonald’s.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
I think fast food chains should close down completely until this situation blows over. Fast food chains, such as McDonalds, have the money to pay staff for time off and close restaurants for a couple weeks or months.
We’re talking about multi billion dollar corporations. With that said, I understand grocery stores can not close but maybe have a rotating schedule until things claim down. Such as four days open three closed, then three open four closed. This would limit staff even more than they are now.
I like many others are still going to work and putting my health at risk. It’s scary right now and we have try not to think about it because we need our jobs. I’m prepared to leave my job though if things get too serious and I feel like the company isn’t taking appropriate action to keep us safe. The health and safety of myself and family come first.
At the end of the day it’s just a job; it will still be there tomorrow and the day after that. There is no guarantee that I or my family will be.
A worker at Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box.
Jack in the Box
I’m terrified of going to work everyday because I see on the news that we’re told that we need to stay inside and quarantine ourselves in our homes for two weeks, maybe more. And then I see so many people ignoring the quarantine and ordering fast food, as if there wasn’t a coronavirus pandemic going on.
I’ve seen bars, restaurants, casinos, the whole strip mall that’s across the street from my work all shut down, including GameStop — which took employees, and the police to finally get it to close temporarily for two weeks. But my work? Nope.
Because other places closed for fear of coronavirus, fast-food restaurants get MORE people in the drive-thru. That’s not practicing social distancing. That’s completely opposite.
If we really want to beat this pandemic we need to actually do what we’ve been saying we’re going to do and ACTUALLY quarantine ourselves. We can’t keep shopping, eating out at fast food, going to the beach like nothing is wrong and there’s no coronavirus. I honestly believe if we close fast-food restaurants too then more people will quarantine themselves.
Then we can beat the coronavirus pandemic.
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***** Illinois pot growers say that if more licenses aren’t issued to growers, there could be a shortage if recreational weed is legalized. Studies show that medical cannabis demand is under reported. ** Support Senate Bill 7 to legalize recreational marijuana. It is the early stages and has not yet been fleshed out but the bare bones of it passed the committee 12-4. Let’s go!
*****With the presentation of the Peabody award, Rita Moreno will become the third PEGOT winner on May 18. She will join Barbra Streisand and Mike Nichols on that list.
***** Harvard and Yale text book writing U.S. rep in California, Katie Porter is really shaking up the congressional hearings. Go Go Go!!
***** Could Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker have a way of keeping Trump off the ballot? Are the Dems getting as creative as the GOP? Illinois is looking into forcing candidates to show the last 10 years of their tax returns or their name will not appear on the ballot.
***** Michael Shannon and Audra McDonald are the newest to play Frankie and Johnny on Broadway.
***** Watching the clueless old white politicians on the Sunday morning shows (yea, you John Barraso) makes me a little queasy. ** And I get so tired of the talking heads speaking for the ‘middle of the country’. Most of the people I know care deeply about the Mueller report. Who the fuck are they talking about? Talk about special rules for our rich President as we remember Nixon and the Clintons. Why should Scary Clown 45 get such great treatment? I am always hearing about the ‘middle of the country’ worrying about feeding our families and fixing our cars and not knowing or caring about issues in Washington. It is true that so many are living the paycheck to paycheck dream and are burdened with health care and other emergencies they can’t afford but they pay attention to the political problems of this country too. Since citizens don’t have the time or the power or money to be in Washington, they rely on those they voted for to keep each other in line. Quit letting the shady shit go on. Have some backbone and do not let things slide. Simple rule: DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
***** Word is that Somebody paid off Brett Kavanaugh’s $92,000 country club fees, $200,000 credit card debt and 1.2 mil mortage. Seems like someone might own him.
***** Maria Butina was sentenced to 18 months.
***** The Man in the High Castle will end after season 4.
***** I love the way Abigail Disney is standing up to CEO’s. The points she makes are ones that the corporation heads always hope you won’t think about. Shouldn’t employees be treated fairly? If a CEO is motivated by their own bonus they are far more likely to overlook things like environmental damage, human rights violations and worker’s rights. Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz agrees.
***** When will the press (local and worldwide), give equal exposure to ALL candidates that run for office, especially President? We want to be informed. I do research but not everybody does and needs it to be easily accessible. Sometimes you have to spoon feed but why is it so hard to be fair? Enough with the agendas!!! There also needs to be more places to look for local issues. I hear so many citizens that tell me they don’t know what will be on the ballot. The info can be hard to find but USA Facts helps. Check it out!
***** Four days after confirmation, secretary of interior, David Bernhardt is under investigation for ethical misconduct.
***** Rod Rosenstein is out! His good bye included praise for the Pres and thanking him for all the personal conversations!! What He is the Deputy AG. What??
***** Jordan Klepper did a great gag on comedy central with the Clintons about Hil doing the audio book of the Mueller report. Yes!!
***** The Trumps are suing Deutsche bank and Capital One so they won’t turn over financial records to congress. Aren’t these actions obstruction of congress?
***** Indivisible is getting voters and candidates to sign a pledge to make the primary constructive and support the ultimate democratic winner.
***** Thank you to Tricia Newbold who is the WH whistle blower who let us know about Trump overriding security clearances. Rumor is that to punish her they took advantage of her physical limitations and purposely put files high and out of her reach. Wow! That is right out of high school.
***** Julian Assange was taken into custody and it seems he has turned into some sort of odd Howard Hughes character.
***** Hollywood is putting on a fundraiser for Mayor Pete. The event will be co-hosted by Ryan Murphy and hubby David Miller, Matt Bomer, Jess Cagle and hubby Matt Whitney and Billy Eichner among others. Murphy also hosted Kamala Harris on April 12. Some of Pete’s major donors have been Ryan Reynolds, Jane Lynch, Mandy Moore, Bradley Whitford and James Murdoch.
***** The Webby awards have been announced. Some winners are Billy on the Street, James Corden, Schitt’s Creek, Pod Save the People and Jimmy Kimmel’s mean tweets. Best music video went to Donald Glover for This is America and The Daily won for its onald J. Trump presidential twitter library.
***** Better Call Saul will call it quits after season 6.
***** Charlize Theron and Seth Rogan star in Long Shot, a political rom com out May 3.
*****& Sara Gilbert joins season 3 of Atypical!!!!!
***** Mushroom season is here and it looks like our friend Kavin is sure bringing ‘em home.
***** The shower toga looks like a great get for the festival scene.
***** Barry has been picked up for season 3. Hell yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
***** The state of Georgia wants to make any embryo a fully legalized citizen. An embryo would count on taxes and be able to receive child support.
***** Please let the immigrant children out of their cages!
***** Stacey Abrams has a best seller, Lead from the Outside.
***** Did Harper Lee write ‘The Reverand?’ Oh how I wish I knew!!
***** When will the Bob Geldof story make it to the big screen and can Pete Davidson play him please??
***** Tuca and Bertie from Netflix looks awesome. It has to be good with stars Ali Wong and Tiffany Haddish!!
***** John Lithgow is about to release a book with his poetry about the President which will carry the title of his pet name (everybody seems to have one for Trump), Dumpty.
***** The Sultan of Brunei owns the Hotel Bel-Air in L.A. and the Beverly Hills Hotel. His country will now stone gay people to death. BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*****
***** Tim Ryan is running for President.
***** Seth Moulton is running for President.
***** Joe Biden is running for President.
***** What the hell is happening to Steak ‘n Shake??
***** What the hell is the matter with Senator Mike Lee? He makes a ridiculous presentation with a flying Reagan and all and now he says that babies may be the answer to climate change. He says we need to be free and develop. What is this gut talking about? Why are people like this getting into office?
***** There is a new podcast called Analysis of a killer.
***** Marianne Williamson is running for President.
***** Eric Swalwell is running for President.
***** The notion that Trumps twitter is like a national nanny cam makes perfect sense.
***** Can’t wait to read Seth Abramson’s, Proof of collusion.
***** The question isn’t really collusion. The redacted Mueller report is out and we now see why the team itself did not draw conclusions. All the evidence is there and a sitting President can’t be indicted…. Or can he? There are, however, multiple examples of corruption. It didn’t cost as much as other independent counsel reports because of all the fines that were charged to Manafort and others pretty much paid for it. Mueller called and wrote to Attorney General Barr and told him he created confusion with his memo and that it didn’t really tell the story.
***** In about 12 years Mueller Probe will be a cool name for a band. –Sarah Silverman
***** Federal appellate judge Maryanne Trump Barry, sister of the President has officially retired at age 82. She was put on the U.S. court of appeals by Bill Clinton. And with that, so ends the investigation into her alleged violations of judicial conduct rules because of participation in fraudulent tax schemes with her siblings in the 90’s.
***** I loved the mash up of Trevor Noah taking over the chair and interviewing Colbert on the Late Show.
***** Oliver North and Wayne LaPierre have been fighting amongst themselves at the NRA. Blackmail? Was North trying to get LaPierre out? The board is standing by the VP while North seems aligned with a public relations firm that some board members disagree with. There are many financial questions as well. Once again the NRA held its annual convention which does not allow guns. At the end of April North was forced out
***** The Universe is about a billion years younger than we thought according to astronomer Adam Riess. This is causing experts to look into rethinking dark energy and dark matter. Total mind blow!!!
***** People have taken to wearing Free Britney T’s. Her fans held a protest in L.A. to free her from the facility they believe she was forced into.
***** It seems fads lately are all about internet speak like. “felt cute ….” And etc. like that.
***** They are working on a Beauty and the Beast themed bar in Florida.
***** Seymour, Indiana recently uncovered pieces of a mastodon.
***** Mia Farrow has a cute little blue headed bird that visits here every morning. Is it Sinatra?
***** U go Grace Jones, showing us how to do it at 70!!!!!!
***** J Lo and Owen Wilson will star in Marry Me about a pop star who marries a random man in the crowd.
***** Magic Johnson resigned as President of the Lakers. The Owner and general manager were supposedly bad mouthing him.
***** The sweetest moment in the inductions on this year’s rock and roll hall of fame was the love shown for Rick Allen, the drummer for Def Leppard.
***** So twice as many companies don’t pay taxes now thanks to all the tax cuts. Some even get refunds. Scary Clown sure is making it work for the big guys!!
***** Former President of Peru, Alan Garcia shot himself before his arrest for corruption.
***** Wendy Williams and Howard Stern seem to be having a little war of words. She claims he has gone Hollywood and he called her a cunt. She has filed for divorce from this apparently nasty hubby of hers. I thought I heard her say just weeks ago that they were fine.
***** Joel McHale is in the new season of Santa Clarita Diet.
***** Has anybody checked out John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg ( Wow! Talk about getting the whole treatment) lately ? John F’s only grandson, better known as Jack Schlossberg , has a bright future ahead.
***** Lori Lightfoot has been elected the first black, openly gay woman as Mayor of Chicago.
***** Dave Tilley beat out John McCarty, who passed away in February, to become Spring Bay, Il. Village President.
*****Britney Spears’ Father is in ill health and Britney checked into a facility.
***** Zachary Quinto stars in the new NOS4A2.
***** It’s funny to me that when a true crime story hour begins, you never hear that he (cuz 9 times out of 10 it is the male spouse who is the culprit), was an atheist or an agnostic. No, it is always that he or the family attended church regularly or that they were close to God. This is just a pattern I have observed, totally my own thoughts. Sometimes it gets way outer limits with the Fathers who sort of run their own cult out of the house. Of course this is not a blanket statement for we see wonderful things being done in the name of the Lord. It just seems like there is a fine line where religion can be used as a way to hold their power and hide secrets. JS
***** Herman Cain and or Stephen Moore on the Federal regulatory board? Well, Herman Cain dropped out.
***** Andrew Yang is running for President. Join the Yang Gang!! He wants to free all prisoners with non -violent marijuana offenses, free healthcare for all and every adult gets $1000.00 a month.
***** The Criminal Minds cast is ending their run. I think they should get together one more time and do a sort of Agatha Christie whodunit.
***** Secretary of Homeland security, Kirstjen Nielsen is out.
***** Acting ICE director, Ron Vitiello is out.
***** Dislike the elite? Nobody is more elite that Trump. How do so many people not get that?
***** Every woman should be able to tell her truth and who knows what makes a person uncomfortable but I think Joe Biden is going thru some bullshit. I don’t agree with everything he has done thru the years but I trust Biden and think he would be a great President. I do think, however that his moment has passed.
***** Check out the behind the scenes book of Washington, ‘The Hill to die on’ by Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer. More proof that Trump just looks at everything as just a big show with his quote,“ There are ratings for everything.”
***** The Profiles in Courage award this year goes to Nancy Pelosi.
***** I have seen the pharmaceutical reps while at some recent Dr.visits, buying elaborate catered affairs for the medical staff. It is a weekly thing. They sure have some money to throw around. No wonder everybody is hooked on something.
***** Real National emergencies: The electoral college, the discrepancies between the rich and the poor which makes it impossible to achieve the American dream, climate change and healthcare.
***** The co- founder of Home Depot, Ken Langone has seen to it that medical school students at NYU are given free tuition always. YEOW!!
***** We should take a lesson from Sudan. They have ousted President Omar al-Bashir, the butcher of Dafur. The protests have led to his indictment for genocide and crimes against humanity.
***** We never stop learning: Archaeologists have discovered an extinct human species they have never known in the Phillipines that they are calling homo luzonensis.
***** Is Cody Fern teasing us on Instagram about season 9 of American Horror Story:1984?
***** Rumple Buttercup by Matthew Gray Gubler hit #1 on the NY Times bestseller list.
***** As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tarantino’s Palme d’or win in Cannes, he is busy editing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It isn’t clear if he’ll get the film to this year’s event. Word is coming out that it is fantastic though.
***** I am a little bit sickened that the worst cooks show actually has Jimmie Walker and Tonya Harding on the same show. Can’t the world find something better for a talent like Walker?? Come on!!
***** Is Stephen Miller and Fox news really running this country?
***** R.I.P. Mildred Mercy Tomes, Christine Marie Rinehart, Sen. Ernest Hollings, Dan Robbins, Shag Sheckler, Charles Van Doren, Georgia Engel, victims of the Sri Lanka shrine and hotel bombings, Lyra Mckee, David Brion Davis, MyLecia Naylor, Shelley Lazar, Mark Medoff, Warren Adler , Lori Kaye, John Singleton, victims of the University of North Carolina shooting and Ken Kercheval.
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