Velociworld

AGGRAVATOR

I used to have a truck driver that worked for me, called himself Aggravator. That was his handle. And he was an aggravating sumbitch, too. A black guy, he was convinced The Man was out to get him. His CB banter was a nonstop stream of bitter invective against the System, and his perceived sense of being Wronged.

Nobody could work with Aggravator. Everyone hated him, and his ginned up charges of discrimination, and being wronged. But I liked him. Why?

Aggravator always got the job done. He was always on time, never had a service failure with him. And with owner-operators, I have to tell you, that is rare. Truck drivers that are independent contractors are generally that because they are fucking malcontents. Not only don't play well with others, will likely knife them in the process. They are what they are because no one else will have shit to do with their disgruntled asses.

Aggravator was much of this ilk, but he always got the job done. I could count on him. Hell, high water. I like that in a person. So I always gave him the best jobs, tightened his wallet up. And he would sit in my office and tell me how The Man was fucking him, and I would laugh. "Aggravator," I would say, "I don't have any secret handshakes. I'm not part of any Good Ole Boy network.I haven't been invited to any secret circle jerks in the woods. I get screwed just like you. That's just the way it is."

He didn't believe me, but that was okay. I didn't care if he believed me. All I cared about was that he was at Home Depot at 8 am, or Nike at 6. And he always was. That was a working hoss.

I wonder what that crazy bastard is up to. I miss him.