Short Story Work By Denis Johnson

Another side of work can also be found in the story “Work” by Denis Johnson. Johnson with his odd but extremely ironic language, defines work as a completion and success. The story Work is very dark, but at the same time reflects another angle of work uniquely amazing. The story is a beautiful piece yet upsetting about a drug addict and his friend. Narrator after a fight with his girlfriend on the street, goes to a bar and meets Wayne. Wayne askes him if he wants to make some money. So they drive to an empty house that had been abandoned after the flood. The house belonged to Wayne. They start tearing a part the house for copper wiring. After their done, they went back to the Vine where the protagonist’s favorite bar tender pours them drinks.