’I once heard a theory about this town, this place where we work and wrangle, where we swindle and swive‘.
MAN’S VOICE (OVER): I once heard a theory about this town, this place where we work and wrangle, where we swindle and swive. It was told to me by this writer I knew. He said: ‘It’s only a dance, but then again, it’s the only dance.’ I’m not sure he’s right, but, anyway, he’s dead now…
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‘I think there should be a National Service of Hospitality. The best way to see the true face of humanity is to serve it a plate of chips.’
Camilla Grudova on bad-mannered customers.
‘Anyone who has ever worked night shifts will understand the vertiginous feeling that comes with staring down the day from the wrong end.’
A.K. Blakemore on working nights.
‘I was constantly reading job ads, trying to find my holy grail – a job I could stand to do, and someone foolish enough to hire me.’
Sandra Newman on learning how to play professional blackjack.
‘I loved being a receptionist. What I loved about it was playing the part of being a receptionist.’
Emily Berry on being a temporary office worker.
‘Every part of you would swell, including your eyeballs, and no matter how much water you drank, you were always dehydrated.’
Junot Díaz on working for a steel mill.
Granta 100: One Hundred’s guest-editor on the challenge of putting together a milestone issue.
‘What is the point of rising early? I congratulate myself if I'm out of bed before midday.’
‘On one of the sunniest of bright May mornings, Senator Dom Liceu Maximiliano Lobo needlessly ran his comb through his neat goatee and ordered his chauffeur to pull into the side of the road.’
‘My sisters, I am sure, were immune to suicide’s powerful contagion.’
‘The best writers are known by their voices’.
