Waitress

"Good, now my baby has more lunch money," said Tracie to herself as she picked up the five dollar bill her customer left on the table. "All I need now is money for the electric bill." She owed a past due balance of thirty-two dollars. Her paycheck had already been spent on rent and a few other household expenses.

Tracie eyed the clock. The dinner rush would be underway soon. She hoped to pay a few more bills, get more lunch money for her son, and maybe have some extra cash to treat herself. It was a matter of the dance between herself and the patrons going well.

"Good evening," she would say with a smile. "Can I offer you something to drink?"

If the customers looked up at her that was a good sign. They would leave a tip. If they smiled at her, it would be a bigger tip. If she thought of something funny to say and they laughed, then the tip might actually be worth the time she spent on her aching feet.

Anything for a buck.