Between 8 and 9 a.m. on any morning, laborers gather near Royal Liquor Store on Southwest Boulevard and West Pennway. Some of them sit on a little wall at the gas station. Others stand in restaurant entranceways. As cars drive by slowly, one or two of the men whistle to gain attention, in effect saying, "Here I am! I'll work for you today!" Eventually, an SUV with Johnson County plates will pull up and motion to the men who flock to his door. Perhaps he needs someone to work in his yard, maybe to dig a koi pool. Carefully choosing, he'll invite five or six workers into his car. The ones left behind complain, but that's the way it is when you're looking for work.
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