The Eighth Page

Commons Construction Workers Finally Released From Fenced-in Area

Construction workers hired to renovate Commons were finally released early this past week from the large, fenced-in area in which they have been trapped for over a year. Jimmy C., one of over fifty workers setting up camp inside the chain link fence for the past year, expressed his gratitude to be released: “I haven’t changed clothes, showered or been inside a heated room for over 400 straight days. I’m looking forward to finally being free.” On the contrary, Smitty, another worker, expressed his disgust about being released: “I haven’t seen my family for 407 days. Rumor has it my wife left me. Apparently my mother, dog and cousin Al are all dead too. I would kind of prefer to just stay trapped here.” In a provision scribbled along the bottom of the originally signed contract, all workers unknowingly agreed to remain at the construction site until the job neared completion. The site soon became their home, and while the men grew to love one another, they also grew anxious to get out. “I would ask one of the students walking by for a knife to help cut the barbed wire, and they would just stare at me, laugh and continue on their way. I also asked the headmistress for the key, but she just dangled it in front of my face and giggled,” claimed one distressed worker. “I’m pretty sure you could consider almost everything that was done to us extreme abuse.” Despite the containment, four workers were able to escape at one point or another over the course of the year. The so-called “border-hoppers,” who technically violated the contract, were sued by Barbara Chase and consequently put into jail. “They have no right leaving the construction site until the new Commons is finished. These workers have to realize that this is a very prestigious prep school, and we are simply more important than them. They signed a deal, and I refuse to let them go back on their word,” said Barbara Chase in an official statement released on Wednesday. Some sort of rebuttal is expected from the workers, who have been held against their will for over a year and kept away from the outside world completely. “We have been stuck inside of a bubble inside the so-called Andover Bubble,” stated one worker, whose joking tone quickly led into a serious face, making for quite the awkward situation. Despite the anger over the situation, the workers are just happy to finally be free. “I feel fine,” stated one of the men, “but boy, I feel awful for those poor Addison workers. Glad I’m not one of those guys.””