Friday 5 October 2012

Ernie! What Happened Next?

You may have read the posting in the following link, if you had the time or inclination,  Undercover Boss.   Ever so briefly, it was the story of Ernie, a hard working, conscientious guy in a fast food joint.  Ernie was involved in a 'documentary' that raised his suspicions that the guy he was training, 'Fred', may well be the undercover boss.  He'd seen such shows before and figured that this guy was definitely the boss of the company.

Months passed by and nothing happened.  Ernie finally assumed that it wasn't the boss working undercover.  In a moment of frustration, Ernie covered the supervisor and his smirking son with the entire tub of secret sauce that is the essential ingredient in producing a decent 'Big Crap' burger.  I mean, really, Ernie worked harder than anybody else in the restaurant while the lazy supervisor's son was "Employee of the Month", every month.

Here is the last paragraph in the previous posting about Ernie:  I should note that in that posting Ernie was supposed to be you.

"A few days later and now jobless, you notice that the documentary you were in is on TV.  On the screen, 'Fred' announces that due to unforeseen circumstances, the guy who was training him was not getting rewarded.  Instead, you see on the screen, the supervisor and his smirking son, being praised and rewarded for a job well done." 

So what happened next?  The next day, Ernie goes out and heads for the unemployment office.  On his way, several people recognise him and asked him what happened.  Ernie explains that he was stunned to discover that his initial suspicions were correct.  That it was indeed the boss of the company.  Everybody he talked to was outraged that he didn't get the recognition he warranted.  It might of had something to do with the dumping of the secret sauce on those two.  Or maybe the boss was going to reward the incompetence of the supervisor and his smirking son, anyway.  

Word soon got around.  Ernie became famous for representing the downtrodden workforce masses.  He wrote a best selling novel titled, 'Recognising the Competent Worker'.  His life and his representation of challenging the corruption, the bullying and distasteful games of 'office politics', became a blockbuster movie titled, 'Working Together'.  The film broke box office records, worldwide.  Such was the impact of his novel and his movie, that corruption and bullying at work was replaced with a spirit of encouragement, praise, cooperation and higher moral standards.  

'Fred', the undercover boss, the supervisor and his smirking son, have changed for the better.  All three are now working for a rival fast food restaurant and all three are sharing the duties.  And Ernie , despite his new found fame, remains but a humble man who took great pride in making the best darned 'Big Crap' burger.  

48 comments:

  1. I knew Ernie would come out on top! Can't keep an honest man down. Despite the secret sauce. I say they had it coming...

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    1. Hi Alex,
      You can't keep an honest man down. I just had a visual of those two covered in the secret sauce! Still, they realised that Ernie is 'da man'!
      Have a good weekend, Alex.
      Gary

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  2. At last, the way things oughta be...

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    1. Hi Kim,
      At last, being recognised for a job well done in a happy, healthy work environment. Um, then I woke up....
      Have a lovely weekend, Kim :)
      Gary

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  3. I love that Ernie finally found the recognition he deserved for his hard work and integrity.
    And I also love your header. I hope it is new and that I haven't just been skimming over it. It is a wonderful, wonderful photo.

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    1. Hi The Elephant's Child,
      For sure. How encouraging and inspiring to see Ernie and all the 'Ernie's' of the world being recognised for their dedicated and honest work.
      Thank you in regards to my header. It's been there for about two months. It's a photo I took about a year ago from my kitchen window. Very kind of you to say that :)
      May you have a peaceful weekend.
      Gary

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    2. I am embarassed. I can only assume that I was in too much of a hurry to read either yours or Penny's wise words to stop and look at the beauty above. I apologise.

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    3. Hi The Elephant's Child,
      No worries at all. I was flattered you even made mention of the photo in the header. And understandable that one would be totally focused on the wise words of that adorable dog, Penny. As for me, her human, I do what I can :)
      Wonderful photos you have posted on your lovely site :)
      In kindness, Gary

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  4. It's nice to read something positive and uplifting, but, (you knew there was going to be a but didnt you lol) in real life Gary I'm afraid that ending would be just another load of "Big Crap" burger. We'll keep hoping for the best for all those Ernies out there. You never know, it COULD happen.

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    1. Hey Delores,
      Yep, in real life the chances of this happening are about as likely as me getting the "Blogger of the Month" award in that must read magazine, 'Blogger's Digest'. Food for thought, eh.
      A 'Big Crap', complete with the secret sauce, a side of fries and a diet 'Joke' with extra ice, is a fine dining experience. In an alternate reality the 'Ernie's' of the world unite in a smiley, happy workplace. Yep and then I woke up...
      Enjoy your weekend, Delores :)
      Gary

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  5. I love happy endings. Thank you for sharing the "rest of the story", Gary. I feel like I've been given closure for me, for Ernie, for Fred and his son. I'm never going to change. Happy endings rock!

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    1. Hey Joylene,
      Ah yes, happy endings. Ernie lives happily ever after. 'Fred' the boss, the supervisor and his smirking son, now work together in sweet harmony at a rival fast food joint.
      And Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your loved ones, eh :)
      Your starstruck fan, Gary

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  6. I always like to hear stories where the little guy makes out OK.

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    1. Hi Arleen,
      The little guy triumphs and inspires the downtrodden masses :)
      Thank you, my friend.
      Gary

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  7. Replies
    1. Hi PT,
      Hooray for Ernie, superhero to the downtrodden masses....
      Gary

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  8. Gary:
    I'm sooo very happy for such a wonderful ending!!! And yes, I do believe this does and can happen. Soon you will be receiving an award for your brilliant new TV show.
    Sending you many wishes from sunny Victoria!!
    Suzanne

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    1. Hi Suzanne,
      And I'm sooo very happy you enjoyed this wonderful ending :) I have witnessed moments where this happens. Ah yes, that show, 'The Secret Millionaire, Undercover Boss'.
      Sending you peaceful wishes in sunny Victoria. And yes, have a Happy Thanksgiving Day, eh! :)
      Gary

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  9. Replies
    1. Hi bazza,
      And I woke up with the knowledge that Ernie is my hero and your hero.
      Gary

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  10. I always root for the underdog, and I have a soft spot for happy endings. Sadly, this is nothing more than a "Big Crap burger," though you've given us food for thought! Julie

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    1. Hi Julie,
      Once upon a time, in a fast food joint, not so far away a...
      Anyway, life is better with a bit of secret sauce on the 'Big Crap' burger. 'Relish' the thought :)
      Gary

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  11. I have been guilty of being "Employee of the month" three times in a seven year employment with "Gap". The thing was that they gave this award to underdogs for the first couple of years until a new director came and he personally checked every one's productivity and since I used to save (as a vendor audit) thousands of dollars for the company he gave me this award two times. So I guess being an underdog once and then actually noticed for the work I did (two times) made me feel good.

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    1. Hi Munir,
      I'm heartened to read that you got an award that truly signified and noted all that you did for the company. That's a most positive outcome and definitely good it made you feel good.
      Thanks for that.
      Gary

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  12. Yay, for Ernie and competent workers everywhere! I'm glad there was a happy ending for poor old Ernie. Someone deserves a happy ending.

    Jai

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    1. Hi Jai,
      Oh yeah, yay for Ernie and his inspirational story that changed the workplace environment for the better, the world over.
      Here's to a happy ending for all of us :)
      Gary

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  13. good for Ernie happy he got a happy ending

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    1. Hi becca,
      Me too, I'm happy that Ernie got that happy ending :)
      Thanks, becca.
      Gary

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  14. Go Ernie! Office politics are for the birds. And when I say "for the birds" I don't mean the dames, I mean a big ol' pile of crap burger.

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    1. Hey Static,
      Office politics, or if your face doesn't fit, you've no chance. May those involved in workplace bullying and corruption have a huge pile of rotting crap burgers, complete with out of date secret sauce, cover them from head to toe.
      Take care, Gary

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  15. If this is true, something went wrong in the cosmos because a good guy NEVER comes out on top: There's too many bad guys sitting on him.

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    1. Hi lotta joy.
      Of course it's true. The bad guys have become good guys thanks to Ernie's best selling novel and his deeply inspirational movie. Yes, that movie is coming to a cinema near you.
      Gary

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  16. Horray for Ernie!! Whenever I start to feel down and out, I'll think of Ernie. :)

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    1. Hi Madison,
      Hooray for Ernie and his positive determination to turn his situation into something that would inspire others into making the workplace a better environment. Ernie, symbolic of a positive ideal :)
      Thanks, Madison.
      Gary

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  17. There should be more Ernies in this world - or perhaps more people who realise the value of an Ernie :-) x

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    1. Hi Teresa,
      Ah yes, a world full of Ernies, or a world that embraced his ideals :)
      Gary x

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  18. I'm glad this story had a happy ending. :)

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    1. Hi The Golden Eagle,
      A happy ending works for me :)
      Gary

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  19. Great twist of fate! Saucy smirkers making burgers for someone else. "Big karma crap" burger, I'd say!!

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    1. Hi Dixie,
      A certain amount of irony within the posting :) "Big karma crap" burger with extra special secret sauce...
      Um time to ketchup, I think. You know, I relish your comments! :)
      Gary

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  20. Dear Gary,
    Nice to know that the down on his luck Ernie finally had a happy ending. Who knows, with the way things are going, I may have to join Ernie in tossing burgers for an exploitative boss. I can only hope that my next book of pooetry ("52 Shades of...erm, you know what") will be as big a success as Ernies little literary endeavour!
    Very Best Wishes, Gare, I hope all is well,
    David.

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    1. Dear David,
      Ernie, representing a positive ideal that came from the depths of my fantasy land. I can just imagine you um tossing burgers. I wonder what the secret sauce is made up of....
      You better not get exploited. Cause Ernie will be on the case.
      I'm sure, with your pooetic prowess, it will be a great success. Hey, that rhymed! Gosh.
      Things are not going too well. Those neighbours are doing our heads in. Talk soon, David.
      Kind regards,
      Gary

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  21. I am glad to hear that fictional Ernie is the victor in your interesting story. You are a generous writer, your characters must love you dearly :). A kiss for Penny.

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    1. Hi Petronela,
      Fictional? :) Okay, Ernie is the positive ideal I would like to see in the workplace. My characters are starstruck by me and twice as starstruck over you. Penny sends you back a doggy kiss x
      Take care,
      Gary

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  22. I had no idea you wrote fairy tales. That's okay; I'll take a happy ending over reality any day. Power to all the under-appreciated Ernies in the world!

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    1. Hi Susan,
      Oh no, without self-promoting, heaven forbid, I have done a whole series about the magical creatures that live in my garden called the "wee folks".
      I guess you now realise that I'm somewhat delusional :)
      Power to all the Ernies of the world!
      Thanks, Susan.
      Gary

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  23. It's nice to dream. And who knows, a little Ernie magic might rub off on the masses. :) Ernie power!

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    1. Hi CarrieBoo,
      Dream? :) I thought it actually happened. I was ready to go and watch Ernie's movie at the local cinema. Ernie power! Yeah. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving Day, eh :)
      Take care,
      Gary

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.