“ Instinctively one is supposed to know what will best keep things running smoothly, best maintain the company, the Mother, and meet all her little needs which are irrational, continual and petty.A good extra ball-bearing man is faceless, sexless, sacrificial; he is always waiting at the door when the first man with the key arrives. ”
Charles Bukowski, Factotum (1975). copy citation
| Author | Charles Bukowski |
|---|---|
| Source | Factotum |
| Topic | waiting need |
| Date | 1975 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://libcom.org/files/Factotum%20-%20Charles%20Bukowski.pdf |
Context
“I was hired as what they called the extra ball-bearing. The extra ball-bearing is the man who is simply turned loose without specific duties. He is supposed to know what to do after consulting some deep well of ancient instinct. Instinctively one is supposed to know what will best keep things running smoothly, best maintain the company, the Mother, and meet all her little needs which are irrational, continual and petty.
A good extra ball-bearing man is faceless, sexless, sacrificial; he is always waiting at the door when the first man with the key arrives. Soon he is hosing off the sidewalk, and he greets each person by name as they arrive, always with a bright smile and in a reassuring manner. Obeisant. That makes everybody feel a little better before the bloody grind begins.”
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