Continued..............

In chapter one, Ehrenreich began her low-wage life in Key West, Florida, where she actually lived as a writer. Initially, she was afraid someone from her "real" life would recognize her and she would have to explain her project. No one recognized her. She found her first housing in an economy efficiency 30 miles distant from the employment opportunities of Key West. Ruling out various occupations because of physical limitations or personality, she began filling out applications for jobs in such fields as housekeeping, grocery clerking, and fast food. After 3 days of job searching, one of the big discount hotel chains where she had applied for a housekeeping position contacted her. They inquired if she would be interested in waitressing at the attached family restaurant. She learned that waitressing was not just taking orders and serving customers, but included all the invisible work- sweeping, filing condiment containers, or cleaning out the freezer. Ehrenreich was unable to financially support herself with a single job. She approaches the management of the hotel protion of the restaurant and applies for a housekeeping job on the assumption that it would be less strenuously physical. On her first day of housekeeping, she makes beds, folds towels, etc... She works there from 9am to 3. Ehrenreich, who, up to this point, had mentally and physically immersed herself into her role, suddenly realized she was not trapped by circumstaces and could just walk away without financial consequence. Although she did immediately walk out-leaving behind unfinished work, collectable tips, and final wages.