"The Company"

IronCross Automotive: My new workhome

My daddy started working at this company several years ago.
Among other things, they produce those tube steps on the sides of trucks. If I were a man, I could probably explain better what all they make.

My role in this male-dominated ecosystem of ex-cons, illegals, and toothless white guys, is inventory girl.
I walk around with a can of spraypaint, a legal pad and pen, stencil numbers, and my phone/camera.

Step 1: Locate a machine.
Step 2: Search all over machine for any type of number or information and record it.
Step 3: Clear away the  grease from a spot on the machine and label it with a number.
Step 4: Take a picture of the machine.
Step 5: Upload pictures and information into spreadsheets.

All this must be done while avoiding forklifts, flying sparks, and pieces of machinery that look as if they're starving to rip off my fingers.

The men have different responses to me.
Some look at me suspiciously (Only woman. Woman with paint).
Some are helpful! (Make the welders cease their face-splattering fireworks and tell me the names of machines)
Some are both helpful and suspicious (Only help me because they're afraid I'm gonna mislabel their machine or cover it with spray paint. Entirely possible. Spray paint is a learned art).

It sure ain't waitressing. But, with backward baseball hat on head, server apron turned tool belt on waist, and okie accent fully on-cue, I am plunging into the world of automotives.