and urgency that defined her previous search. Turning the page, her eyes widened to see another advertisement, this time for M.I.M. (Mount Isa Mines).
By day, the enormous sprawl of the mine made up the western backdrop of the city and at night the mine’s bright lights depicted a ship in the desert, they were continual reminders of the industry she so wanted to be a part of, but not in the office sense. Kylie wasn’t ever interested in furthering her education through university but had always felt there were ample opportunities in the mining industry in operational roles, where, if you were lucky enough to get a foot in the door, the possibilities were endless. But getting those opportunities in Mount Isa seemed very difficult as the employment process was run along similar lines to the pecking order in the school playground. If you didn’t know no-body, your career was going no-where.
On seven occasions, Kylie had applied for general administration and operator roles at MIM but had never even progressed to the interview stage despite talking with ladies who worked there who she knew had the same skills as she did. She was torn. It didn’t matter if you worked in administration or were a labourer, MIM was the best paying employer in town but without having someone in the know, you were faced with working on the other side of the railway tracks, working much harder and for at least $10,000 per year less. Kylie either had to start working the room, or get the hell out of dodge.
Kylie was aware of the group she needed to impress. But they were a tough crowd to say the least. At her second job as a barmaid, whenever she saw them, she would always serve them first with a cheery greeting, showcasing her vivacious personality. If she thought she was 100 per cent guaranteed to get a laugh, she would even throw in a witty joke. Alas, it had never worked. Kylie always had in the back of her mind, ready for delivery, what she called staple jokes. These were timeless jokes that were easily understood and almost certain to be received with a nice little chuckle. They were jokes that were instantly recognisable and could be personalised for specific people. Even her staple jokes bombed with this snobby mob. This happened on her very next shift that evening.
Kylie was working in the Terrace Bar in the Mount Isa Irish Club, and Cherie, the Employment Officer at MIM came to the bar with her friend Sharon. They ordered two rum and cokes. Turning to Sharon, Kylie asked, “Is that going to be a big enough drink for you baby?”
Puzzled, Sharon tilted her head and asked, “What do you mean?”
Straight faced and eyeball to eyeball, Kylie replied, “Well I heard you’re a very generous person, and that you love...Sharon your drinks.”
Bingo, Sharon laughed. She even added, “I’ve never heard my name used in that sense before! Nice one.” She winked then walked off. Her mate Cherie wasn’t fussed and refused to flash her fangs in support of Kylie’s little quip. She even pouted, to ensure she didn’t show any signs of enjoying herself. Unfortunately for Kylie, Cherie was the one she had to impress. With a hair flick that could put Justin Bieber to shame, Cherie took her drink, turned and toddled off from the bar.
“Tough crowd,” Kylie said to herself as she went back to the northern end of the bar and tidied up the fruity condiments that were used to dress the cocktails they served. Picking up the tongs, she rearranged the pineapple and lemon then picked up a glazed cherry by its stem and held it close to her face and whispered in a French accent, “Luck-ee I did not alert to Mon Cherie that after years of searchin’ under all de rocks in town, I had in fact, found hers...”
Aware that she may have sprayed the glazed cherry with saliva while conversing with it in bad French, Kylie could either throw it away and waste it or waist it by eating it. Poor little cherry, it didn’t deserve to be thrown out. As she popped it into her mouth she heard a voice yell, “Kylie! You found it! You found it! You found your cherry!”
Kylie nearly choked, from laughing. It was her best friend since kindergarten and her comedic equal, Anastasia.
“Hey girlfriend, don’t go choking on that thing and force me to give you mouth to mouth!” Anastasia heckled.
“Yeah, cause we don’t know what that might turn into!” Kylie leaned in and went to high five her but intentionally missed, which made them both giggle again.
“What can I do to you, I mean, for you sweet cheeks?” Kylie asked her friend.
“I will have a gin and squash thanks, and make it a juicy double.” Anastasia was always in a good mood.
“Hup hup!” Kylie retorted. “Are we working tonight my love?”
“Is de frogs arse watertight?”
“Hmmm, is de frog in question gay?” Kylie needed to make an informed decision.
“Nope.”
“Then yes.” Kylie smiled. “What time you do you start?”
Anastasia looked at her watch. “In about…two drinks.”
Raising her eyebrows, Kylie put on her best poshe noshe voice and handed Anastasia her drink, “Well, I best not dilly dally then darling. Here is your beverage, please hand me a donation for my till.”
A handful of silver tinkled into the till. They chatted for a few minutes while Anastasia downed her drink and simply stated, “Again!”
“So, I was just sitting with Cherie and Sharon and Sharon was telling me you told her something funny,” Anastasia said.
“Ruh-heally?” Kylie said impressed her joke was retold.
“Yeah, Cherie didn’t laugh. She doesn’t think you’re very funny.” Anastasia gloated with a smile.
Well aware of this, Kylie tried to make light of it. “What, not even funny...lookin’?”
“Bah ha ha ha!” Anastasia laughed. “I didn’t ask her that. Do you want me to?”
“Nah, I’ll ask her mine self the next time that miserable bit of gear comes back for some more booze,” Kylie said, remaining optimistic that one day she would win her over.
“Good for you, don’t ever give up!”
Kylie looked at Anastasia seriously. “I do have to ask this though, you and I are pretty similar and bounce off each other, and they seem to like you...so if I’m like you, why don’t they like meeeee?”
“You, my funny little friend, cannot do anything for them, whereas I can!”
“What can you do for them pray tell?”
“Well, let’s just say that Cherie likes to sing, badly, and I mean she sings badly, but since I am the Karaoke Bar Music Hostess, I accommodate her every request and ensure she gets to the front of the queue.”
“You showbiz tart. What is she doing for you in return?”
“Did you see the paper today? There was a stack of jobs in there and one of them has my name on it!”
“Noooooo way! You’ve cracked it! You’ve crossed over to the other side!”
“Yep, I may live on the wrong side but I’m about to go to work on the right side of the tracks!”
“Good on you mate, I’m really happy for you.” Kylie leant over and gave her a big hug. This was a big deal in a small town. “Baby, your stocks
