On SHAMROCK

March 13^th, 2009

On SHAMROCK

Dear Marianne,

My summer of working at Disneyland is going well. I hope you are well too. I miss you and all the gang, and please say hi to everyone for me.

Today I was working in the Epcot Centre in the World Showcase. I was in the Ireland Pavillion, which is a gift shop that’s stuffed I between the United Kingdom Pavillion and the Canada Pavillion. The Celtic Rock Band, Off Kilter, often plays in front. My favourite thing to sell in the Ireland Pavillion are fake rocks shaped like shamrocks. “Sham rocks”, get it? I sell twenty of these a day, and I don’t know why. I have enclosed one in this letter.

I hope you are having fun with swimming instruction at the pool. If the kids in your class are anything like the kids that come through my gift shop, oh, man! Those are some pretty bratty kids. I hope I never have any kids, but if I do, I want twins, because then they won’t be an only child, but I’ll get everything over with in one go, you know?

We are called ‘cast members’ and are told we have to smile all day, every day, but really it’s not as bad as working at Blockbuster. At least here, we have nice weather. My friend Sherry works at Spaceship Earth, though, and they have long lines and really angry customers. She tells me a lot of stories about jerky customers.

Speaking of Sherry, she and I are really hitting it off. I hope you aren’t jealous, because before I left for Florida in June, we suspended our relationship so that if crazy things happened while we were apart, we wouldn’t feel restricted. Technically, we were only going out for May and June anyway. We are both sixteen, so there’s no point in getting tied down, like we said back in June. Anyway, Sherry and I have been on a few dates in the Orlando area and it’s been a lot of fun.

So what’s new with you? I hope things aren’t too boring back in Forest Glen. I can’t believe we’re going into senior year together. I can’t believe Michael French is going to be class president! I wonder if he’ll still have time for us nobodies.

I am learning how to play tennis from a Moroccan guy who works in the Morocco pavillion. It’s a lot harder than video games would have you believe! Part of me wishes this summer would never end, but another part of me can’t wait to get home and see you, and my family, and your family, and Sally and Michael French. Please tell anyone who asks that I am having a great time. I have to go now, because I got to go to bed for a big work shift tomorrow. When I work nights, though, I get to see fireworks!

Love

Your friend,

Chet

PS I will be coming home on Flight AC 2343 on September 3^rd if you want to come and meet me at the airport. You don’t have to, but I thought I’d give you the info just in case.