Escape Room Cover Letter

5th April 2023

Dear Escape Room,

I am a security guard. I do have a theater back ground and I could show you a few short films I’ve been in but as a guard I still fit your requirements. It is common for me to work at the entrance, check people in, and direct them where to go. A guard should always be professional, polite, and clear spoken.

I have spent many years working in a hotel where I often greeted guests and had to direct them to their rooms. I was often called to address the angry or disgruntled customers with a professional tone and manner. I’ve had people tell me they were pained to leave having so enjoyed my company.

In addition, I have spent six years working with the homeless. They can be an odd lot. I’ve talked people down from suicide. I’ve dealt with some real stressful situations and came out in good form. I should be able to handle anything that comes my way in an escape room.

I have a part time night job that I should be starting next week. This would be my day job. For the most part, all security guards are used to working weekends and holidays so I’ll be used to the hours you need me for.

Best,

Richard Leland Neal

College Admissions Counselor

14^th June 2020

My Dear Friends,

I have received an email regarding your open position for a College Admissions Counselor and noted that my BA in Psychology places me in eligibility for the post.  My experience as a working American having pulled myself through the two year college system and fought past a four year to get my degree makes me uniquely qualified for the job.

I can say that I’ve spoken to career counselors and college advisors, but never felt that they listened or were receptive to my needs. I was the fellow that walked into their office, showed them my transcripts, and walked out having been told that I wasn’t doing too badly, but having gotten no real help in terms of where to go next.

In my current occupation, I work as a security guard, and I often question new officers about what they want to do with their lives. I help them form a plan as the older and wiser to the younger and less experienced. I have to say, I made my mistakes, and I do my best to keep others from making them as well.

Now, you are offering a part time job, that requires weekends, but I work a full time job, and haven’t had a day off in a month. I work every day I can, if I have nothing to do I’ll be in uniform guarding a homeless shelter or a truck yard.

I can say my job as a guard will be there for me if I work for you. Extra days and short weeks, winter recess, and spring break I need do no more than pick up my phone and go to the app to see what hours my current employer needs me for. I can even ask to be left off the schedule and pick up shifts when they become available. I should have no trouble balancing my life.

 

Best,

Richard Leland Neal

 

Letter to a Soldier: Sick at Work

I have to say that I don’t recall all the events listed here. It’s been four long years and a lot of headaches since. These letters were written in an effort to keep up the spirits of a soldier station in Iraq working in military intelligence.

You all can tell me if I was being a good friend.

The man mentioned in this letter as “roommate” had told the soldier’s wife that he was intentionally being cruel to her so she would not become attracted to him. Why anyone would let a man like that live with his wife I have no idea.

1^st June 2007

Dear (Soldier),

(Your wife) asked me to tell you that (her roommate) is moving out. Apparently, it had something to do with his girlfriend dumping his worthless ass. She said that from an economic stand point it’s no big deal, because he is useless and expensive, but I can’t imagine you think this is a good thing.

I told your mom and dad that you called, and they were all happy to hear it, and your mom said she would tell your grandmother. I know you really can’t say much about what’s going on down there so don’t go into it, but I still wonder if they got (the intelligence man with the discipline problem) to go.

There was a big hubbub at work when I got back from the three day weekend. The client reported one guard on duty, me, at 0410 in the morning on Wednesday. The time sheets indicated four guards on post including the supervisor. This all got back to me at 1912 Wednesday after noon when I got a call from the roving account manager, who asked what had happened. 

When I told him he flipped and said “that’s bullshit, that is bullshit,” and then told me that (the big man), a guard in the supporting position of my gate, had gone home because he had not been feeling well. He had gotten tattoos the day before and hurt his leg. My manager asked me to come to post as soon as possible.

I made it there by 2000 hours, and (the site supervisor) came around 2020. He gave reprimands to the two other guards who had left early. The client gate manager came at 0200 hours to check and see if they had given me adequate support for the night and my Officer in Command arrived at 0300.

The only big thing is that I had over exerted myself the day before and had an infection in my throat. My mouth kept filling with goo, and I had to excuse my self to spit the clear slime in the bushes. By 0800 I had a fever and that staid with me until burning itself out before I came to work the next day.

Well, that was my week or rather the few days from the date of my last letter. I hope you are doing well and can write me back soon.

Peace and long life,

Richard Leland Neal

Car Crash

Here is another letter to Cassi. I’m spending a good amount of my time reminiscing over bad times. Hell, at least I remember who I am.

31st May 2011

Dear Cassi,

In the way of getting through my files I came across a document from my second employment as a Security Guard. It was the very first written assignment they had placed me on with a company that sold its assets the following year and now is no more.

I remember that day well because I was in a car accident that day. They had promised me a post 27 miles from my home but promises are just words. They had said I’d spend a few weeks working at a sporting goods factory first, and that was a drive of about 60 miles.

When I complained the woman at the front desk had told me “You need to go where I need you” my needs never crossed her mind. Sadly, they had me and they knew it. I needed a job back then bad enough to have to put up with their flack.

I went straight from the office to train at the sporting goods factory. I had some trouble finding the place, and I tried to pull a U turn when I got hit from behind. Hit and run, the driver never stopped. The impact spun me around and slammed my face into the door post of my car. I had a cut on my right cheek and I was stunned.

The Guard who was to train me came running out and told me he had called the police. I stood waiting for a few minutes and the guard came back out. He wanted me to start training. “Sometimes the police don’t get here for half an hour,” he said but I insisted I had to stay with my car. “Sometimes they don’t come at all,” he said, but I wouldn’t budge. He left me standing there again. I didn’t want to train at that place to begin with.

In a few more minutes he came out again, and gave me his cell and said the office was on the line. It was the first time I used a hands free. They told me that I’d be going to the other post, the one that they had promised me at the beginning.

It appeared as if they had come to the idea that this could be their fault, and they didn’t want me to hold a grudge. My car wasn’t that bad off anyway, but I’d take the better post.

When the policeman finally got there he was pissed that He had to make a report. It was a felony because of the cut on my face he said. I was just happy to be going home.

I had medical for a few more days under (Yule) and I got checked out. To add insult to injury (Yule) didn’t even call me to see if I was okay.

I was about to turn 22 and I was still on the family car insurance. That all ended when they told me that I would lose my uninsured motorist coverage.

There was good and bad that day, but I got what I needed to make it through another day. Sometimes that’s all you can ask for.

Stay safe,


Richard Leland Neal