Dexter James is fed up with his job. For ten years he has put in long hours, worked for jerks, and received no rewards for a job well done. Then one day he says no to a temporary promotion. The fallout of that one little action will change the world.
Size: 1052 KB (198,487 words)
Genre: Drama
Sex Contents: No Sex
Tags: Slow
Review by richardshagrin [other reviews by richardshagrin]
Reviewed:
Read this story! It is superb and you shouldn't miss it. It may be the only story by Lazlo Zalezac that isn't given a rating. He hasn't set the story up for voting, but fortunately I have the privilege of writing a review. It is funny, serious, emotional and a lot of other nouns and adjectives. Like so many of the author's stories it will make you think.
Doing the numbers, Plot is a ten, better than A plus. Lots of things happen, the story covers at least three years and a family full of changes. Technical is not quite that good, I will give it an eight, a solid A but there are few minor issues. They didn't affect my happiness in reading the story, but I guess it is true, nobody is perfect. And Nobody isn't a writer on SOL.
On Appeal to this reader, I give the story a ten. I would be amazed if you didn't like it. The only criticism that occurs to me is there is too much to think about, sometimes it gets in the way of "what happens next". Maybe you need to be old, to have had some of the same experiences as the author's character, to appreciate the points the author makes relating Dexter's story. As a student of Latin, I am glad Lazlo gave his hero a right-handed name. The story might be less interesting if the hero were Sinister.
Review by Teloz [other reviews by Teloz]
Reviewed:
I won't précis the story again, I'm sure that if you've got this far you've read the introduction.
I really hope that Lazlo's representation of American business is a caricature, if it isn't the world is in a lot of trouble!
I loved this story, it drew me into the main protagonist's life and held me there until the end. Dexter is the quintessential worm that turns, bringing destruction to his tormentors. In every chapter there's a point where you think, 'That really could happen!'
Blessedly free of the common errors, like word exchanges (too for to; taunt for taut, and so on), that plague many of the stories on SOL, this is a good read from start to finish. If you're looking for sex though, this tale isn't for you.
Review by 54vette [other reviews by 54vette]
Reviewed:
You know what I hate about reading a Lazlo Zalezac story? Knowing full well that once I started it I wasn't going to want it to end! What's worse is having to wait for the next chapter to be posted. What a pain in da ass that is :)
Now, on a serious note LZ has done it AGAIN! Service Society is yet another story that hits so close to home for this reviewer it actually pulled me out of "retirement!"
To say that I am an avid fan of this writer would be a total understatement.
I, too, was and am caught up in a similar situation at my own work. Unpaid overtime and constantly tied to the "electronic leash" known as my iphone. So, imagine my surprise when every chapter from the very beginning (to the current Chapter 17 of Part 2) almost every word resonated with my current employment and living situation.
Lazlo has taken the position of "quality vs quantity" and "service with a smile" should be rewarded.
My mom was a waitress and a short-order cook when I was a child to adolescence. She flirted harmlessly with her customers and was tipped well. In fact, she was their favorite and that opinion was apparently common amongst her "regulars". She didn't betray my father or fool around on him. Not at all! But, she took care of people. She was a 'mother' and a friend and a confidante and psychologist that made a wicked "cheeseburger deluxe" with a Coke or chocolate shake.
The point of sharing that part of my life with those of you kind enough to read my review is simply that Lazlo must be an 'old soul' if not a person in his 50's or 60's He writes of a FULL SERVICE GAS STATION which blew this reader away simply because one of my first jobs as a teen was working at a Texaco. I loved it! "May I help you sir/ma'am?" "Check under the hood for you?" Oh what memories that brought back to me and the smile that appeared on my face simply because it took me back to a time when life was really about "serving others".
There was kindness, consideration with every transaction. And the further lessons I learned from having the mom I had was that if service was lousy the tip was inevitably going to reflect that. In one of the chapters I read Laz has our "hero" sharing his experience at a restaurant. How "cold and distant" the wait staff simply because they didn't actually practice "customer service". That hit home due the fact I just went to a place and experienced that very same thing. Yet, I recently went to Hooters in Atlanta, GA and our cute waitress was very personable and took care of us like we were the only people in the place. It made me feel good to see that someone so young I guessed her age to be 19-20 around there. She was beautiful and had a nice body but, I'm old and I rather have the service than the flirtation. I love my wife and don't need my ego stroked. She did a great job of "balancing" her attention to everyone at the table including our female colleagues. The main reason I mention this in my review is simply like Dexter (the hero of this story) I believe there are those who do care about serving people with dignity and it doesn't matter where they work at.
The real power punch in this story is the hero's handling of his former company and his perfect descriptions of work conditions facing us now. This story targets excellent points about and of the practices that corprorate America has adopted. "Cooking" performance reviews and time/attendance data. Employee backed loans (by virtue of reimbursement policies or lack there of for travel expenses, etc.)
I work in a bureucratic situation where every point brought out in this incredible story hits home as though Lazlo was sitting in the desk next to mine writing this story. It's scary actually. Why? Because Service Society points out just how the enslavement of working class America has happened under the guise of providing "a better future for all if..." while actually never intending to reward the efforts of those who slave away in the pursuit of the goals set up or out by the "inention" of the Corporation.
They (Corporations) are truly trying their best to make robots of us.
READ THIS STORY! Words like EXCELLENT, AWESOME, MAGNIFICENT, RIVETING, etc, hardly do it justice!
Do yourself a favor and take the time to read it and read the rest of the stories by this author. You will not be disappointed!
ENJOY!!!
Review by Dr_Know [other reviews by Dr_Know]
Reviewed:
This story certainly rings true in the depiction of today's corporate America.
I've personally had a company think it was perfectly reasonable to make the employee pay for all travel expenses. They then nickled and dimed the submitted expense form and delayed reimbursement to the point that I was getting late fees on my own credit cards. Of course the company refused to pay the late fees.
Then I had to wait almost six months for a pay check. The company president plead he was poor even though during that time, he was flying his family all over the United States for various holidays.
Lazlo has really struck a cord with me and I think anyone who works via a virtual office or feels downtrodden in their career would feel the same responsive cord.
The only character missing from this excellent story is the evil Human resources Manager from the Dilbert comic strip!
Review by BlackIrish [other reviews by BlackIrish]
Reviewed: - (Review Updated: )
Welcome to Corporate America, circa 2011.
Not a lot of sex, so if you're looking for a stroke, keep looking. However, there is a great story here. This many downloads can't be wtrong.
If you've spent any time in Corporate America-large or small-this story will feel familiar - eerily familiar. It may not be exactly your deal but you've heard, seen it or lived it.
Crackberries, voicemail, text messages, memorandums, meetings that all seem to say and do the same thing - they're here. Oh yeah, don't forget weekend travel and overbearing bosses.
When his job seems to be ruining his life, Dexter takes a walk. H0owever, he does not go gently into the night. Dexter figures out a way to get a little revenge and still tell his side of things.
This story struck a chord in me and it should strike one in you.
