The Janitor

"So how do you like the job?" I asked the wizened janitor who looked pleased

with himself in his green and gold livery by the revolving door. He had just

called a taxi for me and we started chatting.

 

"It's great! I help people during the day and get to write at night."

 

"You write?"

 

"Oh Yeah. The best way to spend one's time."

 

"How good are you?"

 

"Oh. I don't know. I don't want to brag, but some of my stuff did get published,

under others' names."

 

"You mean pen names?"

 

"Some. Yes. You see we have a good sellection of vodka and our hotel is popular

among alcoholic writers. They work an early morning shift and many are drunk

like a skunk by supper. So I sneak up to their rooms and write manuscripts for

them."

 

"You do?!"

 

"Yes. You know Mr. Dylan Thomas? I wrote 'Do not go gentle into that good night'

for him. His first draft was 'Don't go Jennifer. Don't say good night.'"