With the task of “de- stickering” over with I went to lunch. Gathering my things from the locker I had been assigned, I went back into the shop and almost immediately felt eyes upon my back- surely this was paranoia as no one was looking or standing near me? Hurrying my steps I left the building, but not before noticing the camera’s once more.
Lunch in the park was refreshing- even though it was raining as it was nice to feel the air and the disappearance of the continual eyes watching me.
With lunch over with I had to go back into the store, and with that thought came back the unease of earlier. What is what I felt wasn’t just paranoia? What if someone really is watching me? These thoughts didn’t help as once more I stepped into the store, and like before I felt the eyes. Making a hasty retreat to “out back” I looked around to see what could be causing this- I saw no one.
The task of “de-stickering” all gone, I had to go and find more work- I went to Steve the manager, who in turn handed me over to Chris, which meant being in the shop- where the pressure of the eyes was at it’s worst.
Making my way out into the shop, I noticed a door with a plaque on it proclaiming, “Security- enter with care.” I hadn’t seen that door before and I was wondering what could possibly be in there. Then I remembered Chris was waiting for me, so I hurried out.
I was set to sort out shelves and stack books in a certain area, and when that was finished to come and get more work. I went off and started the work, and found that I didn’t notice the pressure of the eyes any more. But I found the work rather demanding and sat down on the floor for five minutes. As soon as I did that a customer came up and the eyes were back. I directed and helped the person as best I could, but the niggling question of “were they really a customer?” Kept coming into my mind.
The sorting and stickering completed, I went to get more work, and had to seek out Chris. We talked for a little while and then he sent me on a trip to find some sticky labels. For this I went to Pete- but he didn’t have any, time was getting on and Chris needed them, so I went on a search. Everyone I encountered who was staff I asked, and eventually someone suggested the security room, and showed me the way (even though I had seen the door and the sign). We got to the door and Craig opened it, and did I get the surprise of my life. Ten TV screens showing pictures of the store, no wonder I’d got the feeling I was being watched. As Craig pointedly said “Big Brother is watching you.”
With sticky labels found, it was time to go home for the day. As I left the store I got “Good bye’s” from many of my colleagues, but the best part was that, even though I knew the feeling of being watched would never completely go, I was glad I knew what it was. So with a wave to the cameras, I left, only to return the next day, and start it all again at Waterstones.
