Blog Blast: The Customer is Always Wrong by CC Standish

Hello Readers! Another fun day of Book Content for You!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing an excerpt from a NEW YA novel: The Customer is Always Wrong by CC Standish

I hope you enjoy the excerpt and have a chance to check out the book.  

The Customer is Always Wrong by CC Standish

Release Date:   January 15, 2016!

About the Book
'90s grunge kid Conrad Jacoby is on the verge of graduating from Hiawatha High. Eager to leave the nest and his alcoholic father behind, Conrad joins the workforce where he tests his luck at minimum wage jobs in food service and retail, building his savings and his backbone with the goal of moving out. Although Conrad is determined, he quickly finds out that his sheltered Minnesota upbringing has not prepared him for the life challenges and difficult personalities he will encounter in this coming of age comedy. 

 Excerpt from Chapter 6

I hadn’t even begun my first-ever job interview and I already wanted to run out screaming. Corcoran flipped the top page over on her clipboard and readied her pen.

“Ok, so ya don’t have any previous work experience, do ya?”

“Well, not exactly . . . but that’s why I’m choosing to begin my career at such a prestigious establishment as this, ma’am.”

Corcoran smiled proudly, then began the interrogation.

-       “Where do ya see yourself in five years?”

-       “What do ya feel are your biggest weaknesses?”

-       “Can ya handle a fast-paced work environment?”

At 18, I couldn’t say my limited life experience had been incredibly challenging up until this point, but I managed to skate by on what I figured most people did in these situations—by bullshitting.

-       “Oh, I want to be working HERE in five years!”

-       “My only weakness is that I’m a people pleaser.”

-       “I live for challenging situations!”

When the soul-crushing interview finally ended, she squinted her eyes and extended a greasy hand.

“Welcome aboard! We need help in the kitchen, so we’ll start’cha there.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Corcoran!” I said, wiping my hand on my pants.

“Please . . . call me Beth.”

“Ok . . . Beth.” I forced a smile.

I followed her to the back office as she unearthed a box of ugly uniforms.

“The job pays minimum wage. It ain’t much, but there’s an annual raise of twenty five cents.”

My heart sank as I was given my unflattering brown uniform with the golden ‘D’ on the right breast and a copy of the Durenberger’s “employee handbook.”

“Be here tomorrow at 10 a.m. That way ya can help out with the transition from breakfast to lunch. It’s chaos, kid, you’ll love it!”

I somehow doubted that. But at least I had a job, which was one step away from moving out. I swallowed my pride and smiled enthusiastically.

“Will do . . . Beth.”

“And don’t be late, young man! That’s my biggest pet peeve.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, I live right in the neighborhood.”

With that, I went to leave.

“Oh, and one last thing!” Corcoran shouted.

As I got to the door, I turned to face my new boss.

“Remember, Conrad: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!”

A cold chill went down my spine as I processed what I’d just been told.

About the Author

CC Standish is a Seattle based author and musician who grew up in the Twin Cities. As a college dropout and blue-collar worker, CC has learned a lot about the importance of a

work/life balance, using his spare time to write on the side. Born into humble Minnesota beginnings in 1977, at an early age, the arts were CC’s chosen path over school and sports. Oddly enough, ’77 also marks the year that Elvis died, Star Wars was born and punk rock shook the world.

Fun fact: “The Customer” contains several characters and titles named after streets, parks, landmarks, bands, folklore and politicians from around the Twin Cities.

The Customer Is Always Wrong is the first book of a planned three-part trilogy focusing on protagonist Conrad (CJ) Jacoby coming of age in his late teens and evolving into his early twenties. Stay tuned for the sequel—“Ramprats”—which is sure to entail more wild and wacky misadventures from America’s new working class hero!