It was February of 2004 when I first entered those Allianz doors. It was a different era. I smoked cigarettes right there in the parking lot on breaks and before work. Eventually they made us go across the street. Then they banned it on the premises altogether except for a tiny area in the far back of the 5th floor parking ramp. It takes more time to get there than it does to actually smoke. Glad I quit 8 years ago.
I had quit a horrendous collection agency job in October and was referred to Allianz by a temp agency. It had been a long winter. October of 2003, aka the Chicago Cubs meltdown in the playoffs, had sent me into an unprecedented spiral. The combination of being unemployed and having my favorite team lose in devastating fashion did a number on me. I slept until noon. I donated plasma twice a week. I began collecting chex mix wrappers and chocolate milk plastic bottles in the back of my van. I don't think I have ever officially been "depressed" during my 35 years, but that stretch was easily the closest.
Allianz pulled me back. They held warm and snug for 11 years. And then they discarded me...
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