The Lifeguard

Chapter 1: Waterpark part 1

People that come to the pools are strange. I am trying not to generalize here, but truth be told I have only worked a week at Waterpark, and have met some of the most bizarre people imaginable. Even at this point in time as I stare at the water only ten people are floating around, they all look strange in the 25 meter pool. Maybe it's just the effects of a tedious job and not knowing what to think about when guarding.

The first strange person I met was an old patron who I have now called the Opa! Man. This old gentleman comes to the pools regularly and at one specific moment yells Opa! Now that really doesn't sound too bad I mean it's just a word. The thing is that old man has like a small cult of followers that seem to yell Opa back. So basically when the Opa man comes to the pools five to ten other old people also scream Opa. Hell even I started saying Opa! You can always know when the Opa! Man is in the centre because there is always some person screaming Opa! 

The other strange person I met was Len Davis who knows all 100 lifeguards first and last names. He even knew my name before I told him what it was. A slender middle aged man who finds solace by coming to the pools as a regular. 

Not many other lifeguards like Len but I understand that his just lonely and wants to talk to people. Len talks to all the lifeguards of his recent divorce and how he is trying to get his wife back. His wife broke up with him for another guy she met in a gym. 

They have a kid and he is trying desperately to get her back. I don't ever want to end up like Len. Worst part is he told me this on our first meeting, makes you pity him really. Even though he is going through such a bad time he still keeps his head held high. Now if that isn't the strangest person you have ever met. 

The next person is a candidate for the wackiest person in the world. His name is Brian Anton Jacobs Zignar Jr. Yes that is his full name. Brian spends so much time at Waterpark it's like he sleeps over at the goddam place. He has a daily routine of watching the 6am news every morning followed by the morning show, he then works in fruit and veggies. 

Only for like two to three hours and then spends the rest of his day at Waterpark. Some of the conversations I have had with that man where so disturbing I can't even repeat what he said. Brian Jr can get annoying as he asks questions like rapid fire. He even asked me to come out with him to the city. No thanks! I just met the guy last week and he asks me to come to the casino with him. 

Why am I even thinking of these people? This is what staring at a pool actually does to you. It makes you go mad. The 25 meter pool was nice and new it had five laps and an area for people to swim in at their leisure. It was a very peaceful day not many customers in the water. This was my 5th shift since I started working here and to be completely honest it has had its ups and downs. I mean I am already over Lifeguarding, time seems to go real slow or not move at all. It also seems that the other lifeguards are talking about me.

I mean Harry Baxar is always nice to my face but I feel he is always cracking jokes behind my back. I go by my gut instinct, that funny feeling you get about people. It's like bad people give off an aura that triggers intrusion to get away from them. Jamie Owen was actually really nice during my induction and I did feel good around him. Jamie is the manager of all the lifeguards if you have a problem with Jamie then we report directly to Sven.