The Ponder Point

part III title coming shortly

This time she caught the bus on time. Her uniform was on over her clothes by the time the bus arrived at Fryin' Fred’s Finger-lickin Hut. It wasn't one of the best places to work or eat or breathe or... or really do much of anything, but it's all there was. Without work study none of the businesses affiliated the school would hire her. Nikki clocked in, ignoring the annoyed looks from Chuck, the fry cook. He always watched the clock to see who came in late. It was a habit she found more abrasive as she started coming in later and later. She was on time today, but just barely, that's what got up his ass the most. There weren't that many customers today. The lunch rush was over and the dinner rush had yet to begin so she put on her "thinking cap." It was a device she created to help her study when time was tight. It was a regular work cap, an ugly thing with a chicken frying up its own wing on the front. That was on the surface; underneath was a holding case and dispenser for note cards. By merely touching the top of the cap, a card was popped out at the base of the lid, hanging in front of her eyes. With exams a mere two days away (all of which were on the same day!) and Jess being a class A bitch, every second not studying was a wasted one. Waiting and clearing tables was a bit harder and took a little longer, but these were desperate times. People were starting to notice though, she was sure of it; she could tell by the way they were looking at her. Especially Chuck, he was giving her his "sinner" look. The little perve was giving her his sinner look! Her! She had seen the peephole he built between the men’s and women's room. Hell, she even tried to cover it up a couple of times, but it kept coming back barely noticeable. Oh well, that wasn't her problem. Her problem was figuring out how get a passing grade in electronic journalism without dying. This was one of the quieter nights. No big rush, just a steady stream of unenthused customers, the occasional tip over a dollar, and the heat of the grill. It wasn't that surprising really; the place had been going degrading both in reputation and quality for time out of place. Besides the fact that there were better restaurants opening up all around them, Fryin' Fred was a cheap sob. They hadn't used quality chicken since she worked there. Fred had long since paid off the health inspectors, making roaches a common sight and Chuck wasn't the only vermin common in the bathroom. Still, a job was a job and she had enough to eat tonight (anywhere else) and hopefully pay the rent. "Done for the night?" Chuck asked, not quite looking her in the eye. She hated that twisted little grin of his. "Ten o'clock isn't it?" The less she spoke to him, the better. "Ayup, tis." God damn that fake Yankee accent. He was just as much a yank as she, or Larry the cable guy was. "I just thought it was your week to lock up." "No, that was last week." She grabbed a schedule, and shoved it into his hand. "This is your week, oh and it's your turn to clean out the grease traps. Have fun." She maneuvered towards the door, which he kicked shut. Nikki turned to leave through the back, but he maneuvered in front of her. "The schedule was a misprint," he grabbed her cap off and played with it. "This is your week to lock up, mine was last week. In fact, I think the old fat man was talking about delegating more responsibility. I think it'll be your turn to lock up every day. Unless of course..." he waved the cap in front of her. She yanked her cap back and put on some gloves. As he left, that pervy smirk was still on his greasy face. she flipped him off. _________________________________________

Posted at 10:54PM Jun 17, 2008 by taylor.poro in General  |  Comments[0]