My Stint As A Bartender/Bouncer

Probably shoulda seen this coming off gate, but what can you do. Anyway...

My first day I was working the door. The first few people that show up say something along the lines of "we're CJ's people." (CJ is the owner). I don't know 'em so I tell 'em they gotta either call CJ and have him come out to let them in, or pay the cover. That repeated several times, each time CJ came out and let them in for free. Then he sends me out to go pass out flyers, since we weren't getting enough people who were actually paying. Didn't really mind at the time, gave me a chance to leave.

So I get back, sit down, and two people come by. They don't want to pay the cover, show me the flyer (even tho I was told to take money from everyone, the flyer actually said 21+ no cover til midnight, it was 11:50) and I let them in. Maybe 30 seconds later, CJ walks out and says, almost verbatim:

"You see those guys? We don't want guys who dress like rappers. They probably have guns, and you put us all in danger."

This really caught me off guard, because it's not like it's some white dude who's never seen black people before; CJ is black, and so were all of his non-paying guests. Yes, these two individuals were wearing clothing that can be considered to be less than professional. However they're actually paying for drinks, unlike the rest of your patrons... but I digress (for now).

Anyway, at this point I thought he was yanking my chain. I asked CJ what am I supposed to do when people like that show up. He told me to turn them away on account of the dress code. Upon my asking him what the dress code was, he responded with, "just tell them it's up to your own discretion."

I know he just told me that people who are "dressed like rappers" are carrying guns, and they're dangerous. I know this because I was there. So now I'm supposed to turn these dangerous - and possibly violent - characters away on the grounds that I don't like how they're dressed? Who's safety is he looking out for, here?

As it would turn out, those two people stayed outside where I was and I had a chance to talk to them; and yes, they were "from another walk of life," if you will. They left and came back with three more people, all decked out in red and whatnot, and obviously I let them through which I'm sure didn't make me look good. But I did what I could

Wanna know the kicker? I DIDN'T GET PAID. Why? Because we didn't do enough business. I was told that if you work the door, you're GUARANTEED $50. This man has the nerve to - in his mind, seemingly - make me put my LIFE on the line to protect the image of his establishment (turning away PAYING CUSTOMERS in doing so), and even send me out to do HIS job (promotion), and then pay me nothing?

This place is literally off the map. I know plenty of people who spend damn near every night on Franklin St, and they had NEVER heard of this place. Yet somehow I'm instructed to turn money away? "Employees" get "paid" in cash at the end of each night. By the way.

In conclusion, fuck you CJ, I hope you get jacked by a rapper. That is all.