Back in October, Kinna Reads reviewed this interesting titled short.  The title itself, grabbed my attention, which is unusual for me. 

The title is an apt description of what the short story is, a job orientation.  However, we find out right away it is for a new employee of a nail salon.  The new person is told to be sure to tell the customers that they have pretty hands, even if they don’t.  There are some funny parts in the orientation too.


“Good breath means good tips. If you get sad, go into the break room and stick your head in the pickle bucket filled with the Mexican nail polish and you’ll get happy real quick.”  When a customer tells you a story about her dead husband that reminds you of your dead husband, use the bucket. When a customer asks you to add a decal of a bomb on her middle finger to compliment her road rage, use the bucket. When the diabetic with the missing toes comes in for a pedicure say “Back in one sec,” and bury your head in the bucket.”

There is actually an entire list of things that are explained that you would expect to get for an orientation to a new job as well.  We also learn that the new person has suffered a loss in her life.  It is implied that the other workers have had problems as well.


I could tell from reading the story that the boss, Charles, can be an ass.  This 500 word story is so well written.  It had me laughing out loud and feel for the new employee.  I just wish it would have been longer to get some of the other back stories of the other employees in the salon.  I will be seeking out more by John Jodzio.  This is short fiction at its finest and freshest!  You can read it here.

John Jodzio is a winner of the Loft-McKnight Fellowship. His stories have appeared in One Story, Barrelhouse, Opium, and various other places in print and online. A collection of his short stories, “If You Lived Here You’d Already Be Home” is available from Replacement Press. His collection, Get In If You Want To Live is forthcoming. More details can be found here: http://www.paperdarts.org/independent-book-publisher/. He lives in Minneapolis. Find out more atwww.johnjodzio.net.


Short Story Monday is hosted by John at The Book Mine Set.


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