The White Elephant 28: Empathy
| Ceilia: | Thanks for your attention everyone. Now, as you know, I attended a conference yesterday and one of the great ideas I learnt was giving members of staff the opportunity to experience what other members of staff do. |
| Mary: | You mean a job swap? |
| Gordon: | So one of you lot is going to try doing my job?! Impossible! |
| Ceilia: | I want you to see what it feels like to be in someone else's shoes. |
| Peter: | But I wouldn't fit in your shoes. |
| Ceilia: | Not literally Peter. It's just to understand what other people do – I'll take your job and you can take mine. And Mary and Gordon you can swap jobs too. Now, I'll take some orders – can I have your notepad please Peter? |
| Gordon: | Oh very well ... actually, from where I'm standing, it seems like I've got the easy job! |
| Mary: | We'll see about that. |
| Peter: | So everyone back to work please. Come on Gordon, we need all these plates washed. |
| Ceilia: | I have an order - Four Seasons Vegetable Ragout for two people. |
| Mary: | OK, coming right up. Gordon – I'll need some large bowls washing ... and I'll need that pan ... come on, quick as you can. |
| Gordon: | I hear you! I just can't believe I've got to do all this. |
| Peter: | Well done Mary ... you're doing a great job. |
| Gordon: | Actually ... can you spare me a thought ... I've got to do all this. |
| Peter: | Hmm, I can see where you're coming from. You can't cope ... you're fired. Off you go. |
| Gordon: | You can't do that! |
| Mary: | Peter! Take some pity on him – he's after all only a washer-upper! |
| Ceilia: | So how's the job swap going? |
| Gordon: | He's sacked me! |
| Ceilia: | Well done. I've been trying to do that for months! How's it going for you Mary? |
| Mary: | It's all fine. All the food's ready to go. I don't know why Gordon makes such a fuss about cooking! |
| Ceilia: | Nor do I. But you see in my job, I have to show empathy for people. So Gordon – you can stay ... for now. |
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