April 7, 2008
After the best job ever, with wonderful symmetry, comes the worst.
Guru told disciples yesterday how he contemplated a new career as 88-year-old Jack Hammond’s £7-an-hour drinking partner.
However, it seems money to drink beer does not appeal to everyone. Rather than apply for this golden opportunity, Jim Allen of Cleethorpes decided to respond to the ad for an alligator-pit interior window cleaner.
Mr Allen will begin his new role at the Jungle Zoo in the coming weeks, working inside enclosures which contain Caiman alligators, 15ft Burmese pythons and a yellow anaconda among other treats.
The zoo’s wonderfully Mafia-sounding owner, Al Verlaine, told the BBC: “The main trouble when you come to clean the glass in the inside of an alligator pit is that they are naturally inquisitive, therefore they all come forward to have a look at what you're doing.
“And of course if your hand goes too close or your foot goes too close, they will take a bite, and that's really to see what you're made of.”
Guru knows exactly what he is made of, and it is the sort of stuff that takes more kindly to sitting down drinking beer for a living than getting bitten by aggressive animals.
Yours Truly wonders whether disciples have seen any contenders for these crowns of best and worst job in the world. Post below or write to guru@personneltoday.com.
