Disney Undercover

Jungle Cruds

"Thank you all so much for riding the world famous Jungle Cruise. If you liked it, then my name is Skipper Amber. And if you didn't like it, my name is Harper and I work for Small World!" I grin, as my boat starts to lightly giggle. "And now, I leave you with the same words, my parents gave me on my 18 birthday. 'I love you, but your free ride is over so, get out.'" I look over the crowd. "Wait no! That was rude! Please, get out," They all applaud. I wait till the last one gets off, grab the handlebar, and step out. I hand the boat off to another Skipper, and walk toward the Cast Members only sign.
     My name is Amber Brown. I'm 23 years old. I work at Walt Disney World. I'm a Skipper for Jungle Cruise, and enjoy my work. My job is literally to make puns and jokes. How can it be better?
Not like I'm a jerky character. If you haven't met a character actor, consider yourself lucky. They're the worst! And they're treated like ACTUAL royalty. It sucks.
     The only problem is pay. And the occasional drunk or snarky rider. Other than that, perfect. I step into the elevator to go to the basement level. I bet you're wondering, 'Basement? What basement?'. Well, the basement is where the break room, technology, costumes, everything that helps make Disney... Disney!
     The elevator dings to signify that my ride is over. I step off, and fill my water bottle back up. Walking down the cold corridors is lonesome. The occasional Elsa passes. I see a couple of Mickey Mouses.
"Amber! What are you doing?" My coworker, Estella, whines. She rides a go-cart to get around.
"Going on break! What does it look like?" I laugh as my other coworker, Austin, offers hand to help me on.
"You'll waist 5 minutes!" Austin pulls me on.
"Aren't these supposed to be for characters? So they don't get their precious gowns dirty." I say the last part in high pitched, mocking voice.
"We're skippers! We're quite the character!" Estella gloats.
"And we've got costumes! Not everyone can rock the khaki!" Austin chimes in.
"Eh. Whatever!" I blow off as Estella floors it. Grant it, the go cart can only go 5 miles an hour, but it still works!
"We're here!" Austin sings.
"Took you long enough!" I joke as I hop down.
"I keep telling them to make it 10! But no!" Estella whines. We awkwardly step into the break room, and grab our lunches.
"How was your date last night?" I ask Austin.
"Eh. Spent the entire night on his phone. But then lips though!" He rants.
"Is He a keeper?" Estella leans in.
"No, he'll just have to hold me off until then," Austin sighs.
"What about that character job you want?" Estella stabs her pasta.
"They haven't gotten back to me yet. But if they could hurry up, that would be swell." I grin through my teeth.
"Hello." I monotoned voice speaks.
"Shoot."

***Published March 10, 2018***