I work in a game centre as a part-time worker since May last year. My working hour is from 3.30pm until midnight. It is a place full of smoke, cigarettes, dirty words and young men. I have to change money, sell cards and clean the centre.
I remember, in the middle of last year, if there were protests or blocked roads, I had to walk home. This year, the centre was closed for months in the pandemic of Covid-19 coronavirus.
The most unforgettable day for me in my work was when two young men quarrelled loudly. I didn’t know what to do. When I was walking towards them, I asked the Holy Spirit to open my mouth. I asked one young man to sit by the wall and said, “Are you thirsty? What do you want to drink?”
One answered, “Do you have Coke?” Luckily, I had two cans in the refrigerator. I gave each of them one. The other one asked, “Why do you have Coke?” I answered, “I bought them today.” He continued, “Then you have no Coke now.”
I said, “It’s OK. Don’t worry. Play for fun and joy, not anger.” The one who sat by the wall said, “Why do you treat me so well?”
I said, “Because you are a good boy!”
They calmed down and drank quietly.
Suddenly, I realised that I actually like my job and the young people inside the centre.
Gertrude Poon
