I Should Have Seen the Red Flags

An account of how I found out about a pyramid scheme.
by Cory Heads, as told to Linda Andron-Ostrow

Editors Note: One of the most common fears expressed by parents of both children and adults on the autism spectrum, is that they are naive and will be taken advantage of. Cory’s story, while rife with humor, should help to alleviate this.

My name is Cory Heads. I am a student at West Los Angeles College and have a paid internship in data processing. But I always need more money especially when Comic Con is coming up. 

I had put my resume up on monster.com even when I was in high school. But you know how hard jobs are to find these days. So when this guy called me and said he had seen my resume I was excited. Then he told me the job was one where I could make my own schedule. That sounded great. He told me to come to the Proud Bird restaurant at 7pm.

When I told my parents about it, they said I needed to wear a suit. I hate suits. The first one did not work and it took me 5 minutes to take it off. My parents insisted that I wear a black suit. Not the best idea on a hot summer day. Not the best smell.

I got to the Proud Bird just one minute before 7 and signed in beside the name of the person who had contacted me.

Then he started talking and told one story after the other about how his lawyer had made money for him.

{mp3}PyramidScheme-1{/mp3}

Ok so I thought this was a strange way to do a group interview for a food service job at the Proud Bird. Maybe a way to teach us all the things people could sue for when we spilled something and someone slipped.

By now the red light were flashing and I knew something was up
But I am a really nice guy and I could not walk out.

Editors Note: And now hear how it all came together for Cory and his concern not only for himself but or those who would be effected by his decision.

{mp3}PyramidScheme-2{/mp3}

Then they whipped out the pyramid and actually asked what level everyone was. The guy who recruited me was level three.

Ok time to escape. I have a small bladder and really needed to go to the bathroom. But just as I was standing up they called my name. Ouch. What did you think about it?

Great I said weakly and then escaped.

Editors Note: Another lesson learned. When something is too good to be true it is usually too good to be true. Trust your intuition. Pay attention to the red flags. But remember that hindsight is better than foresight. The take away message for parents and young adults alike is that it is only by exposing yourself to new experiences that you learn the warning signs. Having parents like Cory’s who serve as his guides allows him to expose himself and grow with their backup and support. His father later told me that making him wear the black suit was a bad idea, because the recruiter probably called attention to Cory because he was dressed so nicely. While Cory is very independent he would never sign his name to anything like this without checking with his parents. It is important that young adults not be restricted from the experiences that will build the “muscle” they need to develop resilience and the ability to perceive the intentions of others.

To read more about the many lessons I have learned from Cory and his parents over the years please read The World According to Cory.