Author’s Note: The following is tragicomedy about summer jobs in two acts. The dramatis personae include: teenage me, job hunting; Charlie, my employed friend; Mr. S, the manager; and the Candy Lady, who shall remain nameless.

Go anywhere on LBI and you’ll see that “Help Wanted” signs have sprouted in every town, north and south. This phenomenon is not just an Island thing but is being reported on a national level. And once again, it has turned into a partisan issue.