Monday, December 30, 2019
The Nonmarket Environment of McDonaldââ¬â¢s - 830 Words
McDonaldââ¬â¢s can use the power of social media to interact with its consumers to understand their grievances. Perhaps the negative publicity that the company has received is due to lack of proper interaction with the customers (Selcke, 2012). Through social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the company can enlighten the public on the quantity of calories that is present in every food item. Millions of McDonaldââ¬â¢s customers can be reached via Facebook and Twitter. The company should use its Facebook pages to apologize for any bad decisions, set the record straight, and even seek advice from its consumers to enhance positive publicity (Selcke, 2012). Issues Obesity is probably the most significant issue facing the McDonaldââ¬â¢s Company today. The corporation has been severally blamed for the menace due to its wide range of junk foods. As the worldââ¬â¢s largest fast food company, it has become a target of most health related films such as Super Size Me. This is because the public blames the company for failing to give nutritional information concerning the items on its menu (Baron, 2010). The other controversial issue mentioned in the text is the consumer warnings vis-à -vis the acrylamide chemical detected in McDonaldââ¬â¢s French fries. However, despite the CSPIââ¬â¢s confirmation that the fries contained very negligible quantities of the carcinogen, McDonaldââ¬â¢s image had already been tarnished. In addition, McDonaldââ¬â¢s has been facing a series of lawsuits and defamations. An example of suchShow MoreRelatedImproving Ethical Behavior Is An Important Area Where Better Understanding Of Organization Behavior817 Words à |à 4 Pagescom/sites/kensilverstein/2013/05/14/enron-ethics-and-todays-corporate-values/ Another instance where unethical behavior came as a serious nonmarket issue in the case of child labor. Many firms employ child labor in their offshore manufacturing centers, like toys (made by Chinse firm City Toy) used as gift items to the customers of McDonald`s. It was subjected to criticism and McDonaldââ¬â¢s had to stop that strategy. With the pattern of organizational behavior (OB), injustice, corporate dishonesty, exploitation, andRead MoreMarketing Case Study9790 Words à |à 40 Pageseither ethnocentric, polycentric, or regiocentric. CASE 1-2: McDonaldââ¬â¢s Expands Globally While Adjusting Its Local Recipe Overview. Today, McDonaldââ¬â¢s golden arches are one of the most recognized symbols in the world, just behind the Olympic rings. While growth within the U.S. has slowed, the picture outside the U.S. has appeared brighter, until recently. However, globally, taste profiles and consumer desires are changing. McDonaldââ¬â¢s has responded to these changes by altering their basic productsRead MoreAaa Framework5113 Words à |à 21 Pagesnetworkingââ¬âresponsibility for specific parts of a companyââ¬â¢s business model to partner companies to accommodate local requirements, lower cost, or reduce risk. For example, Eli Lilly extensively uses strategic alliances abroad for drug development and testing. McDonaldââ¬â¢s growth strategy abroad uses franchising as well as company-owned stores. And software companies heavily depend on both user adaptation and networking for the development of applications for their basic software platforms. A fourth type of adaptationRead MoreBrand and Page25228 Words à |à 101 Pages it passes most legal tests. d. it is service oriented. e. it will usually not violate cultural taboos. Answer: (b) Difficulty: (2) Knowledge: (F) Page: 351-352 13. Due to differences in the cultural or competitive environment, a company may choose the _______________________ strategy if it wishes to keep its product economies scale intact but customize its communications. a. product and communication extension--dual extension b. product invention Read MoreImpact of Emerging Markets on Marketing15122 Words à |à 61 Pagesbest example is the success of Western Union, which has organized a global money transfer system for migrant workers. Historically, franchising has been the most popular approach to market development, such as the pioneering success of Holiday Inn, McDonaldââ¬â¢s, and Ace Hardware in the United States. P4: In markets consisting of unbranded competition for products and services, market development delivers better financial performance than market orientation. From relationship marketing to institutionalRead MoreMarketing Management130471 Words à |à 522 PagesDBA 1652 Marketing Management UNIT -- I Unit No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Unit Title Marketing management ââ¬â an introduction Marketing environment Marketing with other functional areas of management Market segmentation Market targeting and positioning Product management Brand management Pricing Channel design and management Retailing and Wholesaling Integrated Marketing Communication Advertising management Sales promotion Personal selling Public
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Computer Company Business Plan - 2564 Words
Current Market Status Target Markets and Brands XYZ analyzed available market research data to identify target segments that would be profitable and fit with our strategy. As a result, we identified three initial target markets Ãâ" the Cost Cutter, Workhorse, and Traveler. Use patterns and demand data for these customer segments are shown in Appendix A. Customers in the Cost Cutter segment desire an economical product Ãâ" essential, easy-to-use functions at a low price. We have developed the Charger brand for this market Ãâ" a nicely equipped model, yet the lowest priced in the industry. Our efforts to provide an affordable model have awarded us 69 percent of the market share for this segment. This market is attractive because of itsâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Like SBS, 3B is targeting the Workhorse and Traveler markets. 3B s manufacturing facility is located in the US, and they have sales offices in the US and Europe. Their lower performance can be attributed to higher production costs and fewer sales offices than the competition. Innovation, Inc. is currently trailing all other companies in the industry in both financial performance and market share. Innovation is targeting two markets with lower demand Ãâ" Traveler and Innovator. They have built their manufacturing operations in the US and have placed sales offices in the US and Europe. Innovation is trailing the other companies in the industry due to the lower demand segments they are targeting, increased production costs, and lower sales force productivity. They do have strong ratings for investment in the future, indicating that they are positioning themselves to be more competitive in future years. Company Analysis XYZ has developed several strengths that we will continue to maximize to help us develop a sustainable competitive advantage. These key strengths are: Ã⢠Strong focus on investing in the future Ã⢠Industry leader in manufacturing productivity Ã⢠Among industry leaders in workforce management and productivity In addition to the strengths outlined above, we have also identified several weaknesses that the company must overcome to be successful. Our key weaknesses are: Ã⢠Workhorse is ourShow MoreRelatedMerging Benefits at Huge Computer Company733 Words à |à 3 PagesThe Case: Merging Benefits at Huge Computer Company Two major high-tech companies, Huge Co. (HC and Computer Co. (CC), have recently merged to form Huge Computer Company (HCC) and are now starting to combine the operations of both. A key issue of the integration has been how to treat the benefit and retirement plans from the two-companiesââ¬âin particular, how to blend the plans for the software engineers, who are key to the continued success of the new company. Read the following case and write anRead MoreBus 210 Swot977 Words à |à 4 PagesBusiness 210 SWOT Analysis Danielle Jones October 10,2010 JavaNet Internet Cafà © is the first of its kind located in Eugene, Oregon. The goal of the company is to broaden the communityââ¬â¢s accessibility to affordable Internet through social interaction and entertainment. JavaNet is the creation of University of Oregon graduate Cale Bruckner. Cale has business degrees in both Marketing and Management. His level of expertise also includes product development, product marketing, team managementRead MoreAudit Case Study : Keystone Computers1480 Words à |à 6 PagesAudit Case ââ¬â Keystone Computers An important decision for any shareholder is deciding whether or not to do business with that company. When a business is audited, the operations are reviewed to make sure that nothing is being hidden. An auditor will review the companyââ¬â¢s financial statement and practices to confirm that each are direct and correct. The financial statements are the businessââ¬â¢s way of representing them and showing that they are following the Generally Accepted Accounting PrinciplesRead MoreWhat Is An Algorithm?944 Words à |à 4 Pagesspecific sequential steps that describe exactly what the computer program must do to complete the required work. Figure 10.4, on page 426, shows the stages that each programming project follows. Step two is where the algorithm is, which is ââ¬Å"making the plan.â⬠The example the book uses is the pharmaceutical companies designing new drugs. When they design new drugs, they have to use complex computer programs that model molecules. The computer s oftware programs help chemists create the new drug in aRead MoreTaking a Look at the G-Computers Company1033 Words à |à 4 PagesHOME: G-Computers is designed to help people with IT issues and its job is to provide technical assistance to different corporate and retail sectors across the country. It not only proffers consultancy but also enterprises solutions along with networking which includes sales of hardware and software as well. G-computers is a well-established and one of best rated solution provider of Pakistan. It has always been the hallmark of excellence and perfection since its inception. G-Computers is a proactiveRead MoreThe Business Plan for State-of-the-Art Computer Technology1046 Words à |à 4 PagesIntroduction This business plan has been primarily prepared in order to find out the feasibility in the implementation of state-of-art computer technology and revolutionary computer product. The other plan like marketing plan, operational plan and financial plan are drawn keeping in mind real scenario of the business and current market. By concentrating on its qualities, its key clients, and the underlying qualities they require, Nerd Patrol (NP) will build bargains consistently in its initialRead MoreA Business Plan For Nerd Patrol1501 Words à |à 7 Pages A Business Plan for Nerd Patrol Studentââ¬â¢s Name Unit Title Date ââ¬Æ' Introduction This business plan describes the products and services that Nerd Patrol will be producing and offering starting on January 2016. Nerd patrol is a new company that falls in the telecommunication industry and will start being operational within the next one month. The company will be providing individuals and small businesses with a full range of computer and networking services including hardware and software upgradesRead MoreIntroduction to Information Systems1264 Words à |à 6 PagesChapter 7 Discussion Questions 2. Why there is a strong trend toward cross-functional integrated enterprise system in the business use of information technology? Cross-functional enterprise system is a group of people with different functional expertise working towards a common goal. It can be the people from finance, marketing, operations and human resources. Typically, it includes people from all levels of an organization. Cross-functional enterprise systems often function as self-directedRead MoreStrategic Planning : Key Component Of A Strategic Plan948 Words à |à 4 PagesStrategic planning is vital to the success of a business. A key component of a strategic plan comes in the form of a thorough SWOT analysis. The financial gain of a company can be directly impacted by its strategic plan, and without strategic planning a business or company has no defined direction for the future. Strategic planning aids a business in laying out a direction and path for the business to follow in order to increase its chances of being successful and prosperous. According to the textbookRead MoreVinyl Sign Company Essay717 Words à |à 3 Pagesmore data: A vinyl sign company to make vinyl signs at your house can cater to businesses by making large commercial signs or vehicle lettering and people needing lettering on small signs and vehicles. Write a business plan, including any ideas, projections and goals you have for your business and how you plan to achieve your goals. A vinyl sign company can be run from an office building, warehouse or even your own garage. Choose a beneficial location for your business. Include everything from
Saturday, December 14, 2019
You Suck A Love Story Chapter 7 Free Essays
Chapter Seven The List While Jody showered, Tommy made a list. Feed Laundry New Apartment Toothpaste Sweet Monkey Love Windex Dispose of Vampire Minion ââ¬Å"What do we need an onion for?â⬠Jody asked. She was having a little trouble getting her vision to focus. We will write a custom essay sample on You Suck: A Love Story Chapter 7 or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"Minion, minion,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"Mint-flavored onion? Why do we need that?â⬠ââ¬Å"A minion! Someone who can move around during the day who can help us out. Like I was for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, my bitch.â⬠Tommy dropped his list. ââ¬Å"Nuh-uh.â⬠Jody picked it up and walked over to the kitchen counter where the coffee machine stood. ââ¬Å"I would sell my soul for a big cup of joe.â⬠ââ¬Å"I was not your bitch,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"Right, right, right. Whatever. So how long do we have to do this list?â⬠ââ¬Å"I checked the almanac. Sunrise is at six fifty-three, so we have about twelve hours. Itââ¬â¢s almost the solstice, so we get a lot of darkness.â⬠ââ¬Å"Solstice? Oh my God, itââ¬â¢s almost Christmas.â⬠ââ¬Å"So?â⬠ââ¬Å"Hello? Shopping?â⬠ââ¬Å"Hello? We have an excuse. Weââ¬â¢re dead.â⬠ââ¬Å"My mother doesnââ¬â¢t know that. I have to find something for her that sheââ¬â¢ll disapprove of. And your family ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Oh my God! Christmas. I was supposed to go home to Indiana for Christmas. We need to redo the list.â⬠ââ¬Å"You do it. Iââ¬â¢m going to dry my hair,â⬠Jody said. The new list read: Christmas Presents Call Home Feed Minion (not our Bitch) Hot Monkey Love Windex Write Literature Dispose of Creepy Old Vampire New Apartment Laundry Toothpaste ââ¬Å"I think you should take monkey love off of the list,â⬠Jody said. ââ¬Å"What if we lose the list and someone finds it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well I think ââ¬Ëdispose of Creepy Old Vampireââ¬â¢ would be a little more embarrassing, donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re right, cut monkey love and change ââ¬Ëvampireââ¬â¢ to ââ¬ËElijah. â⬠Jody tapped the list with a pen. ââ¬Å"And take off Windex and put in ââ¬Ëbuy coffee. ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"We canââ¬â¢t drink coffee.â⬠ââ¬Å"We can smell it. Tommy, I desperately need coffee. Itââ¬â¢s like the blood hunger, only, you know, more civilized.â⬠ââ¬Å"Speaking of blood hunger ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Yeah, youââ¬â¢d better move that up the list.â⬠ââ¬Å"And add a bottle of whiskey. Youââ¬â¢re going to have to buy it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry, writer boy, but weââ¬â¢re doing this stupid list together.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not old enough to buy liquor.â⬠Jody stepped away from him and shuddered. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s right. Isnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yep,â⬠Tommy said, nodding ââ¬â trying to look wide-eyed and innocent. ââ¬Å"Well, okay then. I should have checked IDs before picking my bitch.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey!â⬠ââ¬Å"Kidding. What are you going to do with a bottle of whiskey anyway?â⬠ââ¬Å"Check something else off the list,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"I have an idea. Get your purse.â⬠ââ¬Å"What did the Animals want, anyway?â⬠ââ¬Å"Twenty grand.â⬠ââ¬Å"I hope you told them to fuck themselves.â⬠ââ¬Å"They did that already.â⬠ââ¬Å"Did they suspect, you know, about what you are now?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not yet. Lash said I looked a little pale. I sent them to the store. If Clint knows, well ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Oh, good move. Maybe we should just take out an ad. ââ¬ËYoung vampire couple seeks angry village people to hunt them down and kill them. ; ââ¬Å"Ha. Village people. Funny. Put self-tanning lotion on the list. I think the pale thing is giving me away.â⬠At seven in the evening, three days before Christmas, Union Square was awash in shoppers. There was a Santaââ¬â¢s Village set up in the raised square, with a line of children and parents that wound five hundred deep through a labyrinth of red velvet cattle gates. Around the square, the street performers, who would normally have knocked off around five, lined the granite steps up to the square. A juggler here, a sleight-of-hand guy there, a half-dozen ââ¬Å"robotsâ⬠ââ¬â people painted silver and gold who would move in machine-jerk rhythm for the drop of a coin or a bill ââ¬â and even a couple of human statues. Jodyââ¬â¢s favorite was a gold guy in a business suit, who stood motionless for hours on end, as if heââ¬â¢d been frozen in midstep on the way to work. There was a small hole in his briefcase into which people stuffed bills and dropped coins after photographing him or trying to make him flinch. ââ¬Å"This guy used to freak me out,â⬠Tommy whispered. ââ¬Å"But now I can see him breathing and the aura thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"I watched him for a whole lunch hour one time and he never moved,â⬠Jody said. ââ¬Å"In the summer, you know he has to be suffering in that painted suit.â⬠Suddenly she shuddered at the thought of Elijah, the old vampire, still encased in bronze back at the loft. Yes, he had killed her, technically, but in a way heââ¬â¢d just opened a door for her, a door that, no matter how bizarre, was immediate, vital, and passionate. And yes, heââ¬â¢d done it for his amusement, heââ¬â¢d said, but also because he was lonely. She wound her arm into Tommyââ¬â¢s and kissed him on the cheek. ââ¬Å"What was that for?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because youââ¬â¢re here,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s first on the list?â⬠ââ¬Å"Christmas presents.â⬠ââ¬Å"Skip down.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sweet monkey love.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, weââ¬â¢ll do it in the Santaââ¬â¢s Workshop window at Macyââ¬â¢s.â⬠ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, not really.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay, then we need liquor.â⬠Jody snatched the list out of his hand so quickly that most people wouldnââ¬â¢t have even seen her move. ââ¬Å"You are no longer in charge of the list. Weââ¬â¢re getting me a new leather jacket.â⬠I AM HOMELESS AND SOMEONE SHAVED MY HUGE CAT. William had changed his sign. Chet the huge cat was still wearing Jodyââ¬â¢s sweater. He eyed the two vampires suspiciously as they approached. Tommy held the bottle of Johnny Walker out to William. ââ¬Å"Merry Christmas.â⬠William took the liquor and squirreled it away in his coat. ââ¬Å"Most people just give money,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re cutting out the middleman,â⬠Jody said. ââ¬Å"How are you feeling today?â⬠ââ¬Å"Great, why? Really good, you know, considering that Iââ¬â¢m homeless and you guys shaved my cat.â⬠ââ¬Å"You were pretty hammered last night.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but I feel great today.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s how it used to affect me,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"Remember. Kind of energizing.â⬠Jody waved Tommy away. ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t get light-headed or anything?â⬠Jody asked. ââ¬Å"I was a little hungover when I woke up, but I was fine after a couple of cups of coffee.â⬠ââ¬Å"Fuck!â⬠Jody spat. Then she held her head. ââ¬Å"Calm,â⬠Tommy said, patting her shoulder. ââ¬Å"Dr. Flood will make it all better. Maybe.â⬠Jody growled, just loud enough for Tommy to hear. ââ¬Å"Ya know,â⬠said William, when there was a break in the pedestrian traffic and he didnââ¬â¢t have to concentrate on looking pathetic, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m flush for cash, but since youââ¬â¢re in the Christmas spirit, Iââ¬â¢d still go for a look at Redââ¬â¢s hooters.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bite me, dirtbag,â⬠Jody said as she rolled up on William. ââ¬Å"Honey.â⬠Tommy caught the back of her newly purchased red leather jacket, just in case. Theyââ¬â¢d never know if his idea was going to work if Jody snapped the bumââ¬â¢s neck. ââ¬Å"I will not be sexually harassed by the entree.â⬠ââ¬Å"Something you ate isnââ¬â¢t agreeing with you?â⬠Tommy grinned at her when she looked back at him, but the fire went out of her eyes. ââ¬Å"You can just cross sweet monkey love right off your list,â⬠Jody said. ââ¬Å"Jeez, what a bitch,â⬠said William. ââ¬Å"Her time of the month?â⬠Tommy quickly wrapped his arms around Jody, lifted her off her feet, and carried her a few steps around the corner, even as she squirmed. ââ¬Å"Let me go, Iââ¬â¢m not going to hurt him.â⬠ââ¬Å"Good.â⬠ââ¬Å"Much.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what I thought,â⬠Tommy said, still holding her tight. ââ¬Å"Why donââ¬â¢t you head over to the Walgreens and Iââ¬â¢ll finish up with the huge cat guy?â⬠A family of Christmas shoppers smiled as they passed them, thinking they were young lovers indulging in a public display of affection. The father whispered ââ¬Å"Get a roomâ⬠under his breath to his wife, which a normal person wouldnââ¬â¢t have heard. ââ¬Å"Count your lucky stars, buddy, we almost did it in the Santaââ¬â¢s Workshop window. Hot, sweaty elf sex ââ¬â in front of the kids. The kids would have liked that, huh?â⬠The father hurried his family on down the street. ââ¬Å"Nice,â⬠Jody said. ââ¬Å"Way to stay under the radar.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, you know, I like to stay sharp,â⬠Tommy said. Because he was nineteen and had only started having sex regularly since he met Jody, he still thought he had some sort of secret knowledge that was unavailable to other people. How can they possibly be thinking about anything else? he thought in the private part of his mind. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll bet it smells like peppermint,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Elf sex.â⬠ââ¬Å"Would you please put me down.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay, but donââ¬â¢t hurt the huge cat guy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m fine. Iââ¬â¢ll meet you at the drugstore in five minutes. This had better work.â⬠ââ¬Å"Five minutes,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"Cinnamon. Maybe it smells like cinnamon.â⬠The pale couple stalked the aisles of the Walgreens, having a great time dismissing the crass accoutrements of bourgeois American life, and generally scoffing at all the conventions of traditional culture. They were elite, after all. Special. Chosen ââ¬â if you will ââ¬â if only by the nature of their heightened sensitivities and superior sensibilities. They both claimed the ability to look past the faà §ade put on by most people, and see the very depths of the human soul. Strange, then, that they didnââ¬â¢t see it coming when the skinny guy in a flannel shirt popped around the corner in front of them. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s ask these guys,â⬠Flannel said. ââ¬Å"They look like heroin addicts.â⬠Jared White Wolf and Abby Normal backpedaled from the eyeliner display where theyââ¬â¢d been looking for something hypoallergenic. Abbyââ¬â¢s eyes had been watering all night, causing her makeup to run and giving her more of a sad-clown-of-life look than she was going for. Jared hid behind Abby, just a little, which was awkward, since he was nearly a foot taller than she. The guy in flannel was joined by a beautiful, pale redhead, carrying an armload of toiletries. What amazing hair, Abby thought, looking at the long red tresses. Iââ¬â¢d give anything for hair like that. ââ¬Å"Tommy, leave these poor people alone,â⬠said the redhead. ââ¬Å"No, wait.â⬠Flannel turned to Abby and smiled. ââ¬Å"Do you guys know where they keep the syringes?â⬠Abby looked at Jared, who looked at the guy in flannel. ââ¬Å"Well, you canââ¬â¢t just buy them,â⬠Jared said. He was fiddling with the leather straps on his bondage pants, looking coy. Abby slapped his hand. ââ¬Å"You need a prescription to buy syringes,â⬠Abby said. ââ¬Å"Do you really think I look like a heroin addict?â⬠Jared threw his bangs out of his face dramatically. His head was shaved except for his bangs, which reached to his chin, specifically so he could throw them out of his face dramatically. ââ¬Å"I was, like, thinking that maybe I should bulk up. You know, eat and stuff, but ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Well, thanks,â⬠said Flannel Shirt. The redhead moved off down the aisle. ââ¬Å"I was going to try some heroin, but if you canââ¬â¢t buy needles, well, there you go. See you guys. Nice shirt, by the way.â⬠Abby looked down at her T-shirt, black, of course, with the image of a poet taken from a nineteenth-century etching. ââ¬Å"Like you even know who it is.â⬠â⬠ââ¬ËShe walks in beauty, like the night, â⬠quoted the flannel-shirt guy. He winked at her, then grinned. ââ¬Å"Byronââ¬â¢s a hero of mine. See ya.â⬠He turned and started to walk away. Abby reached out and snagged his sleeve. ââ¬Å"Hey, there are needle exchange programs all over town. Theyââ¬â¢re listed in the Bay Guardian.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠said flannel. He turned and Abby grabbed him again. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re going to be at the Glas Kat. Thereââ¬â¢s a Goth club tonight. Five-hundred block of Fourth Street. I know a dealer there. You know, for your heroin.â⬠The flannel-shirt guy nodded, and looked at Byronââ¬â¢s picture on her shirt again, then at her face. Fucksocks. Heââ¬â¢s so looking at my streaking eye makeup. ââ¬Å"Thanks, milady,â⬠said Flannel Shirt. And he was gone, off over the dark moors of the tampon aisle. ââ¬Å"What was that about?â⬠whined Jared. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s so, so Happy Days.â⬠Jared White Wolf spent a lot of time watching Nick at Nite when he wasnââ¬â¢t brooding or fussing with his appearance. Abby walked into the flap of Jaredââ¬â¢s black duster and pounded his slight chest with her palms. ââ¬Å"Didnââ¬â¢t you see. Didnââ¬â¢t you see?â⬠ââ¬Å"What, you acting like a complete ho?â⬠ââ¬Å"He had fangs,â⬠Abby said. ââ¬Å"Well, so do I,â⬠Jared said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pair of perfect, dentistry-quality vampire fangs. ââ¬Å"Duh, everybody does.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but his grew! I saw them. Letââ¬â¢s go,â⬠Abby said, pulling Jared White Wolf by his great bat-wing lapels. ââ¬Å"I have to change into something hot before we go to the club.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wait, I want to get some Halls. My throat is raw from all the cloves we smoked last night.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hurry.â⬠The buckles of Abbyââ¬â¢s black platform boots jangled as she dragged her friend past the lipsticks and hair products before he could get interested. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠said Jared, ââ¬Å"but if I donââ¬â¢t meet a cute guy tonight, you have to stay up all night and hold me while I cry.â⬠ââ¬Å"You should try black lipstick sometime,â⬠Tommy said to Jody as they approached their building, their arms loaded with packages. He was still thinking about the kids at the drugstore. It was the first time since tenth grade that heââ¬â¢d used his knowledge of Romantic poetry. For a while heââ¬â¢d tried molding himself into the tragic Romantic hero, brooding and staring clench-jawed off into space as he composed dark verse in his head. But it turned out that trying to appear tragic in Incontinence, Indiana, was redundant, and his mother kept shouting at him and making him forget his rhymes. ââ¬Å"Tommy, if you keep grinding your teeth like that, theyââ¬â¢ll wear away and youââ¬â¢ll have to have dentures like Aunt Ester.â⬠Tommy only wished his beard was as heavy as Aunt Esterââ¬â¢s ââ¬â then he could stare out over the moors while he stroked it pensively. ââ¬Å"Yeah,â⬠Jody said, ââ¬Å"because I need to make it more obvious that Iââ¬â¢m an undead creature that feeds on the blood of the living.â⬠ââ¬Å"You make it sound so sordid.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, I meant it in a nice way.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh.â⬠ââ¬Å"Because itââ¬â¢s not like people wouldnââ¬â¢t understand if they found out we were vampires, because we slipped up and, oh, I donââ¬â¢t know, UNSHEATHED OUR FANGS IN THE FUCKING DRUGSTORE!â⬠Tommy almost dropped his packages. She hadnââ¬â¢t said a word about that all night. Heââ¬â¢d hoped she hadnââ¬â¢t noticed. ââ¬Å"It was an accident.â⬠ââ¬Å"You called that girl ââ¬Ëmilady. ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"She was impressed with my Byron.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, well, your Byron was probably sticking out a little, too, wasnââ¬â¢t he?â⬠ââ¬Å"It wasnââ¬â¢t like that.â⬠ââ¬Å"You drooled.â⬠Jody paused at their security door and dug into her jacket for her key. Tommy stepped around her. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m still new at this. I think Iââ¬â¢m doing pretty well. My ghastly pallor obviously impressed the lady at the needle exchange.â⬠He reached into his bag and fanned out a handful of sterile-wrapped and capped syringes. ââ¬Å"Congratulations, you can now pass as an HIV-positive heroin addict.â⬠ââ¬Å"Trs chic.â⬠He grinned like he imagined a sexy Italian man-whore might. ââ¬Å"Who drools in public,â⬠Jody said. Damn, sheââ¬â¢s immune to my sexy Italian man-whore grin, Tommy thought. He said, ââ¬Å"Be nice, Iââ¬â¢m new. My lips donââ¬â¢t fit together right when my fangs are out.â⬠She turned the key and swung the door open. There, passed out on the landing, was William the huge cat guy and sleeping on his chest, Chet the huge cat. ââ¬Å"I told you it would work,â⬠Tommy said. Jody stepped into the stairwell and closed the door behind her. ââ¬Å"You go first.â⬠Fifteen minutes later, as he placed five syringes full of blood in their refrigerator, Tommy said, ââ¬Å"This vampire thing is going to be great.â⬠Heââ¬â¢d had a moment when heââ¬â¢d bitten William ââ¬â not just getting over the idea of being that close someone who smelled that nasty, but also being close to another man period. But after cleaning Williamââ¬â¢s neck with an alcohol swab theyââ¬â¢d gotten from the drugstore, and consoling himself that most literary vampires seemed sexually ambivalent anyway, the blood hunger pushed him through. He was feeling more relaxed, now that they had the food problem solved ââ¬â for a while, anyway. If his friends didnââ¬â¢t kill them in the next couple of days, he might even enjoy life as a vampire. Then he turned to Jody and frowned. ââ¬Å"But I canââ¬â¢t help but think that it may be wrong, taking advantage of a homeless alcoholic.â⬠ââ¬Å"We could just hunt and kill people,â⬠Jody said cheerfully. She had a little crust of Williamââ¬â¢s blood in the corner of her mouth. Tommy licked his thumb and wiped it away. ââ¬Å"We did give him a nice sweater for his huge shaved cat,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"I loved that sweater,â⬠Jody said. ââ¬Å"And we are giving him a warm landing to sleep on,â⬠she added, diving onto Tommyââ¬â¢s rationalization dog pile. ââ¬Å"And if we only take a little bit each day, heââ¬â¢ll actually feel better. I know I did.â⬠ââ¬Å"And we wonââ¬â¢t become alcoholics ourselves.â⬠ââ¬Å"How are you feeling, by the way?â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"Better. Hair of the dog. You?â⬠ââ¬Å"Two-beer buzz, max. Iââ¬â¢ll be fine. You want to try the experiment?â⬠Jody checked her watch. ââ¬Å"No time. Weââ¬â¢ll do it tomorrow night.â⬠ââ¬Å"Right. So, on to the list. Looks like hot monkey love.â⬠ââ¬Å"Tommy, we need to find a daytime person to help us. We have to move out of this place.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve been thinking about Alaska.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay, good for you, but we still need to find a place to live where the Animals and Inspector Rivera canââ¬â¢t find us.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, Iââ¬â¢m thinking we should move to Alaska. For one thing, in the winter, itââ¬â¢s dark for like twenty hours a day, so weââ¬â¢d have plenty of time. And I read somewhere that Eskimos put their old people out on the ice when they are ready to die. It would be like people were leaving snacks out for us.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re kidding.â⬠ââ¬Å"Eskimo Pies?â⬠He grinned. Jody put her hand on her hip and looked at him, her mouth hanging open a little, as if she was waiting for something more. When it didnââ¬â¢t come, she said, ââ¬Å"Okay then, Iââ¬â¢m going to change.â⬠ââ¬Å"Into a wolf?â⬠ââ¬Å"Clothes, cadaver breath.â⬠ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t know. I thought maybe youââ¬â¢d learned.â⬠Tommy thought Alaska was a great idea. Just because she was a few years older, she always acted like his ideas were stupid. ââ¬Å"The thing with William worked,â⬠he said defensively as he put away the supplies theyââ¬â¢d bought at the drugstore. ââ¬Å"That was a good idea,â⬠Jody said from inside the closet. Now what? ââ¬Å"Well, Alaska isnââ¬â¢t a bad idea.â⬠ââ¬Å"Tommy, thereââ¬â¢s like nine people in all of Alaska. Weââ¬â¢ll stand out, donââ¬â¢t you think?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, everyone is pale there. They donââ¬â¢t have sun for most of the year.â⬠She came out of the closet wearing her little black cocktail dress and her strappy come-fuck-me pumps. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m ready,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Wow,â⬠Tommy said. Heââ¬â¢d forgotten what they were talking about. ââ¬Å"You think the Ferrari-red lipstick would be too much?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, I love the Ferrari-red lipstick on you.â⬠Hot, sweet monkey love, he thought. This was exactly why he loved her. In the midst of all of the pressure, the danger, really ââ¬â she still took time to think of his feelings. She lifted her breasts until they threatened to spill out of the plunging neckline of the dress. ââ¬Å"Too much?â⬠ââ¬Å"Perfect,â⬠Tommy said, walking toward her with his hands out. ââ¬Å"Gimme.â⬠She breezed past him into the bathroom. ââ¬Å"Not for you. I need to get going.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no, no,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"Hot monkey love.â⬠While Tommy watched from the doorway, Jody applied the Ferrari-red lipstick, checked it, then frowned and wiped it off, then grabbed a different tube off the vanity. ââ¬Å"When I get back.â⬠ââ¬Å"Where?â⬠Tommy said. Sexual frustration had reduced him to single syllables. She turned to him with the new coat of maroon lipstick. ââ¬Å"To get your minion.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not like that, youââ¬â¢re not,â⬠Tommy said. ââ¬Å"This is how it works, Tommy. This is how I got you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nuh-uh, you werenââ¬â¢t wearing that when I met you.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, but the reason you pursued me is because you were interested in me sexually, wasnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, thatââ¬â¢s how it started, but itââ¬â¢s more than that now.â⬠And it was more, but that was no reason to leave him here all aroused and stuff. She walked over to him and put her arms around him. He let his hands slip inside the low back of her dress. His pants were getting tight and he could feel the pressure of his fangs coming out. ââ¬Å"When I get back,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"I promise. Youââ¬â¢re my guy, Tommy. I picked you as my guy, forever. Iââ¬â¢m going to find someone to help us move and do things for us in the daytime.â⬠ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re just going to want to bone you, and when you donââ¬â¢t do them, theyââ¬â¢ll turn on you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not necessarily.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course they will. Look at you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll figure it out, okay. I donââ¬â¢t know how else to go about it.â⬠ââ¬Å"We could put an ad on Craigââ¬â¢s List.â⬠(Craigââ¬â¢s List was a classified Web site that had started in the Bay Area and was now the first place people checked for jobs, apartments, or nearly everything.) ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re not putting an ad on Craigââ¬â¢s List. Look, Tommy, we have more things to do than we have time. You can clean the loft and go get the laundry done and Iââ¬â¢ll get us an onion.â⬠ââ¬Å"Minion,â⬠he corrected. ââ¬Å"Whatever. I love you,â⬠she said. Bitch! He was vanquished. Unfair. ââ¬Å"I love you, too.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll take one of the disposable cell phones you bought. You can call me anytime.â⬠ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re not even activated yet.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, get on that, buddy. The sooner I get out there and find someone, the sooner I can get back here for some hot monkey love.â⬠She has absolutely no sense of ethics, he thought. Sheââ¬â¢s a monster. And yet, there she is, only a few dress straps from being naked. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t step on the huge cat on the way out.â⬠Jody had only been gone twenty minutes before Tommy decided that cleaning and laundry sucked and that he could find a minion as well as she could, even if he didnââ¬â¢t look as hot in a little black dress. He was careful not to wake Chet and William on his way out. How to cite You Suck: A Love Story Chapter 7, Essay examples
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Social Construct free essay sample
Race as a Social Construct ââ¬Å"Race dominates our personal livesâ⬠(192 Lopez). Race is constantly a part of peopleââ¬â¢s lives and throughout the film Rabbit Proof Fence directed by Phillip Noyce and the Critical Race Theory written by Ian Lopez, we are able to see in what ways it affects people. The film depicts a group of three half caste Aborigine girls, who are taken from their family by a white man, Mr. Neville. The girls are taken to be trained as servants and also so they can assimilate to the ââ¬Å"Whiteâ⬠culture. The article explains how race can be mistaken to be a biological difference, but how it actually is a social construct created by society. Throughout their works, Lopez and Noyce portray that race is not determined by biological factors, but rather by society creating social constructs. The Aborigineââ¬â¢s uneasiness towards whites because of how the whites treat and degrade them for their physical attributes exemplifies how race is a social construct. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Construct or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the movie, the half caste kids were nervous of being taken and never being able to see their mothers again. The half castes were taken to their new ââ¬Å"homeâ⬠where they were ââ¬Å"[checked] for skin color and the fairer ones who are clevererâ⬠to see who can be freed to leave and get a good education (Noyce). The whites were the ones who were free and had many more opportunities than the Aborigines did because of the color of their skin; hence, ââ¬Å"Their race in the end determined whether they were free or enslavedâ⬠(192 Lopez). Their freedom was controlled by the whites, who caused them and their familyââ¬â¢s pain because the whites thought their race was superior. In Rabbit Proof Fence, the whites separate themselves and the Aborigines because of their skin color and make the mistake of determining race by biological differences. Although Mollyââ¬â¢s wit is able to fool Mr. Neville, Moodoo knows where the girls are, proving that race is created by society and not by genes. There are times when Moodoo senses the girls nearby, but seems to ignore it. When he is with the white man looking for the girls he says ââ¬Å"sheââ¬â¢s pretty clever that girl, she wants to go homeâ⬠(Noyce) because he wants to pretend he does not know where they are. He understands that it is unfair for these helpless people to be taken from their families out of force because he can relate since his daughter was taken as well. In the Critical Race Theory article, Lopez talks about how ââ¬Å"Black and White are social groups, not genetically distinct branches of humankindâ⬠(193 Lopez). To Mr. Neville, whites are thought to be superior because of how they look compared to the Aborigines; therefore, the fairer ones are more intelligent and clever. Molly and Moodoo prove Mr. Neville wrong when they outsmart him, which verifies that race is a social construct. Race can be thought of ââ¬Å"as a vast group of people loosely bound together by historically contingent, socially significant elementsâ⬠(193 Lopez) from their ancestry. Society has categorized people based on many different characteristics ranging from ââ¬Å"hair, complexion, and facial featuresâ⬠(192 Lopez). We see this categorization in the movie when the whites put the half caste Aborigines in a special camp away from their families because of their skin color. The Critical Race Theory explains to us that race is a social construct created by society and Rabbit Proof Fence provides us with examples from the article. Race is constantly mistaken to be people with different physical attributes, when in reality a personââ¬â¢s biology should not and does not determine which race he or she belongs to. Race is a social construct. Works Cited Delgado, Richard. Critical Race Theory: The Cutting Edge. Philadelphia: Temple UP, 1995. Rabbit-proof Fence. Dir. Phillip Noyce. Perf. Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan, and Kenneth Charles Branagh. Miramax Films, 2002. DVD.
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