#24: Division of Labor

A smattering of tiny plays about France : 
# 24 : Division of labor

Our main character, the American Girl parks her shamefully Bobo vintage Peugeot bicycle in front of a coffee shop. 
As it happens, the bike stand is a few inches from a homeless man, basking in the sun, surrounded by empty bottles of wine. 

AG: Er, Bonjour

HM: Grrruhhm

AG : [with awkwardness] Could you keep an eye on my bike for me? [offering a friendly smile, as if to show the good faith in this potential transaction]

HM : I have other things to do!  It's not my responsibility!

AG : [slightly shocked. Shrugs, walks away]

After three years in France, it occurs to AG that this is by no means abnormal. It is the reigning principle of public civil servants: "If it is not in my job description, I will not do it nor take any responsibility for telling you how it works". And, apparently, this trickles down to those without a permanent address. This is no means a negative reflection on this homeless gentleman - it just wasn't part of his (un)employment plan.


Fair enough, n'est-ce pas?