Custodial Costume Comedy
2/18/2004


By: Stoy Jones

From my previous 'Mouse Memory' excerpt, I discussed the sometimes humorous predicaments created by disputed and seeming unresolvable policy confusion between regular custodial host/hostesses, their leads, and the all-knowing, enigmatic and possibly magically created "supes" (Fantasia's Sorcerer's Apprentice comes to mind!!) of MK Custodial Dept. Another little policy "funny" happened to me on my first tour of duty at the Adventureland Veranda Restaurant. In keeping with the Polynesian-style theme, the decor, food (fast, but nutritious and downright edible: Fried rice, teriyaki burgers, sweet and sour hot-dogs not as "yuk" as it sounds-but the fries were just fries!) and host/hostesses costumes were a tropical treat!

The Custodial costumes, especially the female costumes were Polyester short-sleeved shirt/jacket rather form fitting aqua, black, and green with nondescript floral/geometric?! print, and a black skirt that fell all the way to the FLOOR! It doesn't take much imagination to see the skewed humor in this fashion faux pas when it was paired with the department approved black work shoe or steel-toed boot!! Forget Ellie May or Granny Clampett! (Those were lead characters in the early 1960's TV Show "The Beverly Hillbillies" for those too young to know) I was some weird 'wahine' (Hawaiian for beautiful girl or very silly looking custodian!!) and extremely self conscious about my ability to completely and discreetly wield my pan and broom around the restaurant, especially when bending down to get fallen food bits from under tables with my legs splayed out in a Sumo wrestler crouch stance, or pulling bagged garbage out of the Polynesian-styled trash cans and trying not to get the hem caught under the 40+lb can, dredging it through the leaking bag's dripping dining "glop"!

My concerns were justifiably and embarrassingly validated as I demurely slunk about the place, alternating between carrying my skirt wadded up in one hand with the broom and pan in the other; or stuffing it between my legs to prevent guests' gasping or guffawing or both....not the type of Polynesian dance revue that Entertainment would endorse!!