The Minimum Wage

Mr. Smith: Through my own hard work, I have built this growing business. I risked all my savings on this business. And now my business is finally starting to pay me back. It seems like only yesterday when I was 16 years old. I remember sweeping the dirty floors, throwing out trash, and sometimes I even had to clean toilets. All for a couple of bucks an hour.

Mr. Lewis: Mr. Smith, I hold you in the highest regard. You risked everything to build this business. And now look at you! How successful and proud you are! You are a man of the highest probity. Yet, I cannot believe you. Why would you, the most brilliant man I know, clean toilets for a low wage?

Mr. Smith: Such compliments from you, Mr. Lewis! I am certainly glad my good friend holds me in such high regard, and all the more flattering coming from the most honest man I know. You have worked for me for many years my friend. But, have you forgotten how much I offered you when walked into my office 15 years ago? And do you remember the work you did?

Mr. Lewis: Believe me I do. I was grateful for the work though. It’s tough for a young man of my humble beginnings to build a reputation as a hard worker when I can’t even find work. Yet, you you were kind enough to hire me.

Mr. Smith: Stop there Mr. Lewis! You know I value your work tremendously. And we have become good friends. But, kindness had nothing to do with me hiring you. Quite the contrary, Mr. Lewis, I had work that needed to be done. I hired you for the sole purpose of helping me make a profit so I could build my business bigger and stronger than my arch-rival, Mr. Green.

Mr. Lewis: Ah, so the truth is finally revealed! Well, kindness or not, I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me. So, I see you are looking at a few resumes. Looking to hire more workers?

Mr. Smith: You always were nosy, Mr. Lewis. But, yes, I am looking to two new workers. Since, you have spied me reviewing these resumes, perhaps you could help me evaluate them?

Mr. Lewis: Of course!

Mr. Smith: There is plenty of work that needs to be done here. Just like the lowly work we once had to do, I need a couple of workers willing to do work that is neither honorable nor profitable. I have three resumes here. Here’s the first.

Mr. Lewis: This man has no work experience! I almost mistake this resume to be a blank piece of paper if it were not for the gentleman’s name and address. And speaking of his address, he seems to hail from a side of town I would never let my wife walk alone at night.

Mr. Smith: How quickly you have just forgotten, Mr. Lewis, of your own humble beginnings! He is, however, willing to work for $2.50 per hour. Here is the second resume.

Mr. Lewis: Well, this gentleman has very little job experience. Still, it’s more than the first resume. He is willing to work for $3.00 an hour. He also hails from a poor neighborhood. Such a shame! You are right, Mr. Smith, I have forgotten my own humble beginnings. I forgot them on purpose. How difficult it was to find work! What is the other resume?

Mr. Smith: This resume is from a young lady who hails from our own great town. She is currently enrolled at the local university. She is flexible with work hours but her expectations are a bit high. She desires $5.50 an hour. I do believe I could use more educated workers in this business but $5.50 seems too high for such a job. At that rate, Mr. Lewis, I could hire both of the first two applicants!

Mr. Lewis: Well, Mr. Smith, I don’t think we need her at that rate! I’d much rather have an extra worker here. There’s always work to be done here!

Mr. Smith: Perhaps you are right.

Mr. Lewis: Yes, it would be great to have extra workers here. But, I have almost forgotten about a recent law that was passed. This law says we cannot pay any worker less than $6.00 per hour. Can you believe that!

Mr. Smith: O’ I do remember! What a law! At that rate, Mr. Lewis, I can only hire one worker. It seems if I am forced to pay this rate, I must favor the college educated young lady. But, the job is hardly worth $6.00 per hour! Perhaps, I should put off this expansion. What do you think Mr. Lewis?

Mr. Lewis: Banish the thought! As it is, I work too much. My dear wife is left to raise our children mostly by her own efforts. I promised her I would cut back on the overtime hours. You know, Mr. Smith, I do all I can to help your business. But, my wife has put her foot down and I can no longer tolerate the nagging. Please do not stall any longer. We need another worker.

Mr. Smith: Yes, Mr. Lewis, you are right. If I must pay what our government has mandated, I am left with no choice but to hire the young lady. She hails from our town and she is partly college educated. The job does not exactly require a college education, but at this price I am left with no choice. Please contact her, Mr. Lewis, and let her know I’m willing to hire her at $6.00 per hour.

Mr. Lewis: Thank you! I will let her know right away! I will also contact the other gentlemen and let them know we will not hire them.