third dimension
tuesday, mcrch 1, 1977
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life ifliaitgtt WitiHiiB
If working sn 8-5 shift isn't for you, you may consider
the advantages of working at night.
Clifford Miller, a driver for Yellow Cab, has had the
"graveyard shift" for five and a half years.
"I like the freedom of it," Miller said. "It doesn't inter
fere with anything."
Sun-
Miller said he has worked nights most of his life, be
cause he has no problem sleeping during the day and he
can bowl or have some time during the day to himself.
Driving cabs suits him, because, he said, he can take a
break and get a cup of coffee if he feels sleepy or when- -ever
business gets slow. In short, he likes his job.
People have had epileptic seizures in his cab. He sees
his share of drunks, but he takes it all in stride with an
easygoing attitude of, if it happens, it happens". But it
also works the other way. He recently met Isaac Stern, the
renouned violinist, during his stay in Lincoln.
Miller, 57, speaks proudly of his boss, Charles Essay..
"He's stern-you can't pull nothin' on him."
Married for 35 years, he is proud of his wife, Zetta, and
then three children: Candace, 23; Cathy, 28; and Clifford,
Jr. 33.
Miller retires in four years, but for now he's more than
content to drive a cab.
Another of those who work the graveyard shift is
Debbie McNichols, who is a donut maker at Dippy
Donuts.
"I just can't get up in the mornings," she said. "I took
this job because I needed the money and had worked for a
bakery before."
Debbie starts work at 1 0 pjn. after the shop has
closed, and into the next morning, until 7, after it has
opened.
Tm a night person, but I also like to stay up during
the day," Debbie explained. It takes her a long time tc
unwind after work, she said, and sometimes she doesnt
sleep for 24 hours, but she doesn't get sleepy at work.
"Once I get here, I'm all right," she said with a grin.
The shop is pretty quiet when it first opens at 6 ajri.
and it has its early morning regulars. Campus police,
Lincoln police and Lincoln Transportation System (LTS)
employes are usually the first customers, she said.
But Debbie likes the quiet shop at night and has the
radio on to keep her company.
"I need the money," she said. And that keeps her
working.
Only one filling station dividend is open in Lincoln 24
hours a day, and Phillip Bury mans it from 1 1 30-8 a jn.
Bury, 21, said the opening at the filling station was the
first "appealing job" he had seen. He also likes the hours.
But dealing with the public as he does, can be aggravat
ing he said.
Bury estimated that 50 per cent of the night business is
drunks and that it is a "pretty rough crowd, but pretty
intriguing."
Bury squashed out another cigarette in an already filled
ash tray.
"I dont like the sun, I like darkness," he said. "Work
ing at night does change my social life, like missing
parties, but it just hardens me to be anti-social. I don't
nund it, or I wouldn't still be working here."
Bury has worked at Dividend for four months. Work
ing alone is nice, he said , but since he sees at least 1 00
customers on wee knights, it isn't always quiet.
"I guess I must like this job, because I knew what I was
getting in for ar.d I haven't missed a day since I've been
here," he said. "I could go back to a day job, but i have to
keep myself out of ruts."
Another night worker is J.L. Cook, a Meadow Gold
deliveryman for 22 years. With his jaunty black knitted
cap and baggy white suit, he looks younger than his 60
years.
Cook has the 2 xsa.-33Q p jn. shift His route is the
downtown campus area and his truck with its flashing
lights is a well known sight.
Although the hours are long and lugging containers of
milk up to houses can be tiring, he says there ts outhing
about the job he dislikes.
Sc why does he stay?
You get used to it and keep going," said cook."
Acquainted with the Night
1 have been one acquainted with the night
I have walked out in rain -and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
1 have passed by the watchman on his beat.
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street.
But not to call me back or say good-by;
And further stiU at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right
I have been one acquainted with the night
Robert Frost
11 :00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.:
Theresa Vos, 21 , UNL campus security guard
Vos, a UNL sophomore theatre major, makes the
rounds in the dormitories checking for loiterers and un
locked door. Dressed in khaki -colored uniform and
armed with key ring, she is the protective night-stalker for
sleeping students.
"I like it. I like the idea of being up when everyone else
is sleeping.
"At night you set your own pace. A slower-paced
person works at night; basically a person who can be by
themselves and enjoy it,
"During the day it's (working) a whole different pace.
Time is so obvious. Lunchtime, breaktime and everything
with other people. The day is so cluttered.
"Afternoon is the nicest part of the day and people
give that part of the day away to work. When you work at
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