Heavy duty

(1993 August, Monday, I think, 8:45 a.m.)

What a morning so far. Outside dark and glum and threatening something dire. Inside nearly as bad. The real underlying idea I feel sure is to get everybody up for breakfast to avoid carrying trays. I heard them call (she probably) "Polly, breakfast is ready." - "I'm not coming. I need sleep." - "You have to come and eat, and sleep later." - No response. So along came a kind but immense woman who says, "Polly, you have to get up for breakfast." I said I needed sleep because people were flashing lights in my eyes all night waking me up. She said, "That was Beverly, and Beverly is one of our best workers. It is required by law to check up on each person every ten minutes while sleeping." - PK: ... "About breakfast - I don't care for a large table bearing a tray full of food, but I would eat a dish of oatmeal only." - "That's what you said. But the government requires us to serve each person with the correct number of calories for each meal." - "Really!" - "Yes, it is so." - By this time I had persuaded her to sit over by my desk with window open 6 inches so I could eat without inhaling her perfume, which at last may have been necessary. About 300 pounds, no kidding.