The Walking Dead: New jobs for Rick and Daryl?

No, I am not suggesting that any cast members of The Walking Dead are looking for other jobs.  I have merely been pondering what it may look like if the characters from the show were out in our world today trying to make a living.

We saw some ambivalence at the end of season 5 when Rick’s group arrives in Alexandria. Haircuts, clean clothes, and toothbrushes seemed foreign to them.  Some adjusted better than others.  Poor Daryl barely ever even went indoors.

So, as I often do when The Walking Dead is on hiatus, I decided to think about places I know and ponder what it might be like if Rick, or maybe Carol, or other favorite characters were there.

For instance, what if Rick Grimes was my friendly barista at The Waking Dead Cafe  or Senoia Coffee and Cafe (did you think I would say Starbucks? This is The Walking Dead we are talking about!).  Would Rick be friendly with customers?  Perhaps I have a very specific, detailed coffee order.  Might Rick cock his head to one side, glare at me with those sparkling blue eyes, and give the infamous “Shutuuuup!”?

How about going out to dinner?  (I hear there is this new place called Nic and Norman’s opening soon!) Maybe Morgan decided to wait tables and earn some big tips.  But he is so anxious to earn tips from the next customer, he becomes obsessed with “clearing” the tables!  And we know he gets angry when someone does not “clear”.  Yikes!

I could see Carol employed as a children’s character in costume.  That way she gets to be with children but not suffer the consequences of getting too attached to them.  She would “get to be invisible again”, hiding beneath her fuzzy costume.  But let’s face it, kids can get pretty wound up and excited meeting their favorite character.  She might have enough and exclaim “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”  Maybe the costume character idea is not so great after all.

Next: How to Vacation with The Walking Dead?

Just picture Sgt. Abraham Ford manning the customer service desk at your local big box retailer. That could be a disaster.  Sure he’s strong and can restock all those returns with ease.  But if you go on a tirade explaining how your cashier was rude, he may just tell you “[he doesn’t] give a monkey’s left nut!” Is there a customer service line for complaints against customer service?

Daryl may take up babysitting because well, you know, he “ain’t afraid of nothing!” He’s well equipped at feeding them, and knows his way around a daycare since he and Maggie searched one for baby formula.  But it’s  actually playing with the kids that becomes difficult.  You see, every time a kid picks up a cool toy to play with, Daryl grabs it out of their hands and shouts “claimed!” This does not go over well with the kids.

Can you imagine our eclectic cast of characters from The Walking Dead working jobs in today’s world.  Where would they be successful?  My mind gets a little silly when the show is not on for a long period of time.  Let’s hope October gets here soon!