Life with the Flying Squirrels at Pinecone Hollow Cafe - Part 1

It was April 15. With my tax extension safely filed and out of mind off I went to work at Pinecone Hollow CafĂ©. It’s the third-base third-floor concession stand at the Diamond, home of Richmond's Flying Squirrels. My official uniform is standard issue: ball cap and red t-shirt proclaiming FUNN STAFF. Decked out with khaki pants and tennis shoes, I met my co-workers for this exciting sold-out opening night. And the fun began.

Actually it was a Chinese fire drill – squirrel style. This blog is about life at Pinecone Hollow Cafe. Names have been changed to protect the obvious.

Placido quickly told us some rules – shirt tails tucked in, no eating on the job, etc. Skywire cruised in to show us how to work the newly-installed, never-used cash registers. “It’s easy. It only takes 2 minutes to learn. I’ll be around to help.” He said as he reeled off instructions. It’s a touch screen with the menu in print so small binoculars are needed to see it. And I didn’t have them with me. What was I thinkin’ leaving home without them!

What a team we are. Placido is the manager and boss of Pinecone Hollow. Tender Chic whips out yummy squirrelly fries and chicken tenders, Burger Boy flips the burgers and Doggie Dude grills hot dogs on the 'back line'. I’m part of the ‘front line’ with Big, Blackberry, Princess and assorted Prettys. (I’ve been on front lines before because I’m short and this is a whole different front line.)

My teammates are in their late teens, early twenties, one 40-something and I. For most it’s their only job, for others it’s a second job. Honestly I wouldn’t know any of them if I weren’t here. And that’s why I’m here – to stretch and grow personally.

The view from our nest is a beer stand against earth-toned gray concrete interrupted by people cruising by - unless they're standing in line waiting for food. There is always a breeze coming down the concourse. A sliver of grandstand seats and sky is visible through an arch.

It’s Opening night – sold out at 9,000+ tickets. And 5,000 of them are standing in front of our cafe to get their food and beverage!

We'll learn how it all works in a jiffy. We're ready.

The concern I had about reading the screen was for naught as the register shut itself down in the middle of my second sale. Mr. Skywire "I'll be around" was nowhere to be found. And no one knew how to fix it. Such relief I felt.

And anxiety. Instantly I was jobless and scads of people were lined up for food. Oh no! PLAY BALL!