Summary

In “The Cracker Packet Job,” Mrs. Masakado found the narrator a new job “with a rice cracker manufacturer” (147). In order to resurrect the failing business, the owner had revamped its advertising and packaging techniques. When Mrs. Masakado told the narrator she would be replacing a man who was “now off work with depression,” the narrator became anxious (149).

On her first day, the company director told the narrator about “the product range” (150). Tasting the crackers, the narrator was impressed. She then became acclimated with the packaging. Her predecessor Mr. Kiyota had invented a number of trivia series for the wrappers, including “Mysteries of the World” and “Poisonous Plants of Japan” (153). It was her job to make the customers “savor [the] packaging” as much as what was inside (154).

The narrator’s first idea was for an International News Trivia Series. Her coworkers supported...