Story 491: Bookstore Pick-Up

(In a bookstore, Customer 1 stands facing a display table, slowly leafing through a sci-fi hardcover.  Customer 2 casually strolls by, casually makes a wide turn, casually picks up a hardcover from the opposite side of the table, and casually leafs through it as well.  Customer 1’s eyes briefly flick up at Customer 2 and then lower back to the book; Customer 2 leafs through a few more pages, then glances up at the title in Customer 1’s hands)

Customer 2: Oh!  (Gestures with the book at Customer 1’s book when the latter looks up) I heard that’s a good one.  (Smiles broadly)

Customer 1: (Neutrally) Really.

Customer 2: Yeah, it’s been getting great reviews; I’ve been thinking about reading it myself.

Customer 1: (Nods) Good to know.  (Returns to leafing)

Customer 2: (Slowly walks around the table to Customer 1’s side, still holding the book open) Sooooo… do you read often?

Customer 1: (Looks up again, barely disguising a smirk) A lot of people do, yes.

Customer 2: Heh, what I mean is, do you… (Looks up to think) read here often?... Come here often… to read?... Buy books here… to read them at home… often?

Customer 1: (Slowly puts the book back onto its pile and straightens it) Are you seriously trying to pick up someone at a bookstore?

Customer 2: (Laughs loudly for a bit, then starts fiddling with the book jacket) I thought a change in venue and clientele would increase the probability of success, yes.

Customer 1: (Nods again) And here I was, thinking I’m the only one with that idea.

Customer 2: (Stares) Really?

Customer 1: Oh yeah, been doing it for ages; definitely at lot safer than a bar.

Customer 2: That’s what I was thinking!  I mean, what’s the worst these nerds could do, am-I-right?  (An elderly couple passing by glare at Customer 2, who whispers at them) No offense.

Customer 1: Well, you still need to be careful.

Customer 2: Of course.

Customer 1: A lot of weirdos actually do come in here, and sometimes you can’t tell right away who’s just passionate about entertainment and whose life is consumed by fandom.

Customer 2: Don’t I know it.

Customer 1: …Wanna tag along?

Customer 2: Yes please.

(After neatly returning the other book to its correct pile, the two casually stroll through the semi-busy store, heads on a constant, unobtrusive swivel)

Customer 1: (Stops and turns to whisper to Customer 2) OK, see that one browsing off to the left there?

Customer 2: (Tries not to look directly at the object of their discussion and whispers back) Yeah?

Customer 1: I’m goin’ in.

Customer 2: Wait a second: here?!

Customer 1: Yeah, why not?

Customer 2: Because, in case you haven’t noticed the ginormous signs all over the place, we are now in the Children’s section!

Customer 1: (Laughs softly, still whispering) This isn’t the Children’s section; it’s the Teen section.

Customer 2: That’s not better!  And I can’t tell from here – what if that one is a teen; we’re literally decades older, we could go to jail!

Customer 1: (Sighs) You need to have your eyes checked: that’s clearly an adult who has eclectic and discerning tastes in all types of literature regardless of the intended audience, and I’m goin’ in.  Watch and learn.

Customer 2: (Moves to stand behind a support pillar) I’ll watch and learn from here as you walk into an obvious sting operation.

Customer 1: (Glares smilingly at Customer 2, then casually strolls past Customer 3 who has taken a book off the shelf and is reading the back cover) Oh!  (Points to the book as Customer 3 looks up) I heard that’s a good one. 

Customer 2: (Grimaces softly) Ugh!

Customer 3: (To Customer 1) Yeah, I’ve been seeing ads for it everywhere; wanted to know what’s all the fuss about.

Customer 1: I know, right?  (Leans an elbow on the bookshelf while facing Customer 3) Word is, if this one does well, the author’ll write a sequel.  Obviously; who doesn’t nowadays?  Everything’s a franchise.

Customer 3: (Laughs) You’re tellin’ me.

Customer 1: (Also laughs) Definitely… So, I’m – (Is cut off by the piercing scream of an infant)

Customer 4: (Rounds a nearby corner, appearing disheveled while pushing a stroller with the crying baby and carrying a whimpering toddler; to Customer 3) Didn’t you hear me calling you?!  It took me 10 minutes to get these two out of the bathroom – what’re you doing all the way over here?!

Customer 3: (Takes the toddler from Customer 4 as Customer 1 makes a hasty retreat) Sorry babe – got distracted.

Customer 4: I wish I had that luxury!  (Sees the book that Customer 3 is holding) Well, if you’re buying that, just add it to the pile.  (Points to a basket hanging underneath the stroller and overflowing with board books and plush toys)

Customer 3: (Puts the book back on the shelf) Nah, not interested.  (To the toddler as the four of them make their way noisily to the front cash registers) Hey bub, what would you like read tonight, huh?

Customer 1: (Trots over to Customer 2, who is stifling giggles) Not a word – let’s go.

(They continue their circuit through the store, navigating around customers and carts of products to be shelved)

Customer 2: (Stops and whispers to Customer 1) Ooh, how about that employee shelving board games over there?  Seems nice.

Customer 1: (Whispers back) “Nice” meaning “hot”?

Customer 2: Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

Customer 1: (Shakes head) Nope; no, employees are off-limits.

Customer 2: What?  Why?

Customer 1: Think about it: there’s already a power imbalance since they’re being paid to serve the customers, so they’ll say anything to keep you happy, and also to go away.

Customer 2: (Falsely humble) Well, I don’t know about you, but I may have had a few promising encounters with staff members in the past.

Customer 1: At places like this?

Customer 2: …No.

Customer 1: Yeah.  No employees.  (Looks around and subtly gestures at a customer in the magazine section) OK, that one browsing through Crafts and Hobbies – seems stable enough.

Customer 2: Eh, I suppose.

Customer 1: Wanna try tag teaming this time?

Customer 2: Considering you have yet to successfully pick up someone here tonight… yes. 

(Customer 1 smothers laughter as they walk over to that section; each grabs a magazine to browse as they slowly move closer to Customer 5 in a pincer movement)

Customer 1: (Unobtrusively leans over to see the type of magazine Customer 5 is reading) Oh, excuse me?

Customer 5: (Looks up at Customer 1) Yes?

Customer 1: Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve always wanted to learn how to knit – (Nods at the magazine) is that a good magazine to start with?

Customer 5: Oh yes, it’s pretty informative.  (Intensely) If you want, I can teach you everything I know.

Customer 1: (Blinks a few times) Sorry, what?

Customer 5: I knit anything and everything – all I do is knit-knit-knit.  I’ve been searching the world over for a protégé to whom I can pass my knowledge – at last, my search has ended.

Customer 1: (Unaware of dropping the magazine onto the floor) Ummmm….

Customer 5: (Grabs Customer 1’s hand) Join me, and we will create a new world, one of peace, and joy, and – !

Customer 2: (Has put back the magazine and slips around Customer 5 to take Customer 1 by the waist) Babe, come on, you know people don’t like it when you talk to them!  (To Customer 5 as they walk away) Sorry, so annoying.

Customer 5: (To their backs as they exit the store) Make sure you subscribe to my channel, “Knit or Not” – it’ll change your life!

(In the parking lot, Customer 1 and Customer 2 separate and stop under a lamppost)

Customer 1: Thank you – that was certainly unexpected.

Customer 2: Sure; guess you just never know what kinds of weirdos you’re gonna meet in places like this.

Customer 1: That indeed.

Customer 2: Well, this was certainly enlightening.  I now know exactly what not to do when trying to pick up a stranger so, you know, thanks for that.

Customer 1: You’re welcome…. So, ever want another lesson?

Customer 2: Heh-heh, you’re hilarious.  Don’t get me wrong, although this wound up being the most enjoyable evening I’ve had in a long time, I seriously doubt the effectiveness of your methods.

Customer 1: Really.

Customer 2: I do, yes.

Customer 1: Worked on you, didn’t they?

Customer 2: (Laughs in disbelief) …No, no, I saw you first; I picked you up.  Tried to, anyway.

Customer 1: Yeeeaaahh, I saw you come into the store about five minutes earlier.  Thought you looked nice, so I... placed myself in your mostly likely path, and I waited.

Customer 2: (Eyes widen in realization) Honey pot?!  That’s the honey pot trap!

Customer 1: (Laughing) Well, I wasn’t out for any state secrets you’re hiding, but basically yeah.

Customer 2: You… sly… trickster!  I take back everything I said earlier: you’re really good.

Customer 1: Why thank you.  (Does a little curtsy)

Customer 2: So, seeing as we both got what we originally were aiming for tonight, how about we celebrate with dessert at the café around the corner?

Customer 1: Sounds great.  (They walk toward their respective cars) Keep in mind: jury’s still out on whether you’re one of the weirdos I have to worry about, though.

Customer 2: Same.

Story 438: Synergy in The Vortex

 (In a gift shop)

Tourist 1: (Entering with Tourist 2) So, what’s so special about this place?  It seems like the same-old, New Age-y, hippe-dippie tourist trap you find all over the world.  (Suddenly sees Employee 1 nearby, staring at them) But the furnishings seem lovely.

Tourist 2: I read that this place is supposed to be at the exact center of The Vortex.  (Spreads arms out as far as possible without hitting spinning racks of meditation CDs and dream catchers hanging from the ceiling) I can already feel my chakras aligning just by being in this sacred space.

Tourist 1: Seriously?  I didn’t think you were into all that stuff.

Tourist 2: (Lowers arms) Then you don’t know me at all.

Tourist 1: (Grabs a deck of tarot cards from off a shelf) But really, what’s the deal with this specific place?  I mean, what is The Vortex?

Employee 1: (Glides over as Tourist 1 puts the card deck back on the shelf) The Vortex, my friends, is the convergence of energies into this central location: by entering this confluence of forces, your spirit will be cleansed, your soul purified, and your aura illuminated.

Tourist 2: Wow.

Tourist 1: Uh-huh.  So does that mean everything in here costs triple what we’d find in the same shop down the street?  (Tourist 2 elbows Tourist 1)

Employee 1: (Mysteriously) You’ll never know what you’ll find in The Vortex…. I’ll be over here if you need me to look for anything in the store room.  (Glides back to restocking stained glass hangings)

Tourist 1: You betcha.

Tourist 2: You’re so rude.

Tourist 1: Whatever: just don’t drop more than $20 in this place, is all I’m saying.

(They start browsing; on turning a corner, they nearly bump into Tourist 3)

Tourist 3: Oops, sorry.

Tourist 1: Nope, my fault: I didn’t take the corner wide enough.

(Tourist 1 and Tourist 3 suddenly stare at each other closely)

Tourist 3: This may sound weird, but… did you go to Main Street Elementary School in Centerville back in the 90s?

Tourist 1: Oh my gosh, you did, too?!  Calculating Colossi 3^rd grade math?!

Tourist 3: Yes!  The classroom with the abacus?

Tourist 1: Yes!

Tourist 3: Oh my goodness, that was over 30 years ago!

Tourist 1: Yes – !  Ugh, don’t remind me.

Tourist 2: Not to mention, it’s about 10 states away from here.

Tourist 3: Absolutely!  What’re the odds, huh?

Tourist 1: (Sees Employee 1 staring at them expectantly) Eh, probably bound to happen at some point in life; might as well be here.

Tourist 2: Or, it’s The –

Tourist 1: Don’t say it.

(Tourist 4 emerges from the back of the store carrying wind chimes, stops upon seeing the group, and points at Tourist 1)

Tourist 4: Weren’t you in my after-school group when you were a wee little thing?

Tourist 1: (Narrows eyes, then widens them in shock) Oh my gosh, you were my Den Leader for seven years!  You taught us how to fly fish and how to bake bread!

Tourist 4: Yes, I was a full-service mentor.

Tourist 2: (To Tourist 1) What a small world.

Tourist 1: Yeah, uh, well, it – it happens.

(Employee 2 glides over to the growing group)

Employee 2: Hello, does anyone need any help – ?  (Notices Tourist 1) Oh my stars, I haven’t see you in ages!  How’ve you been?

Tourist 1: (Eyes widen even wider) Oh – my – gosh: you’re the kid I was supposed to go to prom with but I totally flaked off to play video games instead!  (Winces) Really sorry about that – I was very immature back then.

Tourist 2: “Was”?

Employee 2: (Chuckles) It’s OK: as you can see, I’ve recovered from the social trauma.  I actually wound up going with someone else that night, and we’ll be celebrating our 25^th wedding anniversary this year.

Tourist 1: Whoa, that’s amazing.  And you both moved all the way out here?

Employee 2: Oh yeah, we just felt this calling, you know?

Tourist 1: I guess.

Tourist 3: I’m tellin’ ya, we’ve all been drawn here for this very moment!

Tourist 4: It does seem like Fate, doesn’t it?

Employee 1: (Glides over to stare intently at Tourist 1) Yes, doesn’t it?

Tourist 1: No it doesn’t!  This is just a series of bizarre coincides that the laws of odds and averages make happen at one, singular, freaky moment in our lives, and – (Suddenly notices objects in a glass display case) and – and is that the seashell collection I lost when I was 5?!

(The group whirls around as a clock chimes the hour)

Tourist 1: (Gasps) My grandfather’s grandfather clock?!

(The group whirls around as the shop door opens and Tourist 5 enters)

Tourist 1: (Gasps) Mom??!!

Tourist 5: Yeah – I’ve been waiting in the car for over 15 minutes; are you two gonna get a move on or what?

Tourist 2: We will: we were just catching up with some old acquaintances here.

Tourist 5: (Takes in the group) Oh.  You all do look vaguely familiar, but I’m too tired on this trip to play catch-up – bye.  (Leaves the store)

(The group stare at each other)

Tourist 1: All y’all weren’t hired by some weirdo to play an elaborate trick on me, were you?  (The rest shake their heads)

Tourist 3: I only came in here to use the bathroom – turns out there aren’t any for customers.

Tourist 2: I’m telling you, it’s The Vortex!

Employee 1: I’ll say: we’ve never had a convergence quite this massive before; I must note it in the store’s log.

Employee 2: You do that – you’re the only one who reads that thing anyway.  (To Tourist 1) So this certainly was life-affirming and soul-impacting, wasn’t it?

Tourist 1: I have to admit, I’ve never had an experience quite like it; I’m low-key questioning reality right about now.

Employee 2: Enough to possibly buy back your long-lost seashell collection?

Tourist 1: Not that much.

Story 357: Finding a Perfectly Adequate Gift Is Hard

            (Friend 1 is talking on the phone while walking through a parking lot) 

            Friend 1: Sorry to cut you off, but I’m almost at the pharmacy now.

            Friend 2: (On the phone) Oh sure, what do you have to pick up if you don't mind me asking?

            Friend 1: Just a gift for a coworker’s birthday – tomorrow.

            Friend 2: I thought you said you were going to the pharmacy?

            Friend 1: I am; this one has the best gifts.  Their candle display is unrivalled!

            Friend 2: …OK, know what you’re gonna get?

            Friend 1: Nah, I figure something’ll hit me when I’m in there.

            Friend 2: Shyeah, OK.

            Friend 1: I don’t like the sound of that.

          Friend 2: It’s just, if you don’t have at least an idea of what type of gift you’re getting, then nothing there will be the right one.

            Friend 1: That’s not true!  I’ll find something perfectly adequate in five minutes, tops!

            Friend 2: Mm-hm: so what does your intended recipient like?

          Friend 1: (Entering the store and heading for the gift section) That’s easy, there’s – hang on – (Walks past multiple displays, touching random items) – water bottle?  No, the office’s already given us a million of these – ooh, comfy socks!

            Friend 2: Uh-huh.  What size does the person wear?

            Friend 1: …Average?  Never look at people’s feet, to be honest.

            Friend 2: Maybe keep looking at the shelves there instead.

          Friend 1: Oh all right.  (Keeps touching random objects) I guess a new wallet would be nice, for… (Turns it over to see the price tag) $60?!  Get outta here!  (Tosses the wallet back onto the display)  I wouldn’t spend that much on one gift for my own blood relative, let alone an almost-stranger!

            Friend 2: OK, maybe move on to another section.

          Friend 1: Sure, sure.  (Walks toward the front of the store) Ooh, maybe this pretty little Halloween witch with a poisoned cauldron and a bloody skull!

            Friend 2: I’d say not.  And nothing Halloween – we just got over Labor Day.

           Friend 1: So? It’s fine to get Halloween things now; I only refused to look at this stuff when they were out right after 4^th of July.

            Friend 2: Ugh.  Maybe no holiday-themed items: this is for a birthday, so no double-dipping.

            Friend 1: Guess a Nativity scene’s out, then?

           Friend 2: No holidays!  Or seasons, for that matter – no “Happy Fall” or “Welcome, Winter” or “Come Back, Summer” or “Where Are You, Spring?” or anything else that detracts from the birthday!

            Friend 1: Fine.  Maybe this huge wine glass with streamers and balloons painted on it’ll do.

            Friend 2: Does the person drink alcohol?

            Friend 1: Doesn’t everybody?

            Friend 2: I don’t!

            Friend 1: Oh right, forgot – heh.

            Friend 2: If you’re not certain, then skip it.  What about a mug for coffee or tea?

            Friend 1: Don’t know if they drink coffee or tea.

            Friend 2: You can put anything hot in it!

            Friend 1: Don’t know if they drink anything hot.

            Friend 2: Fine – what about bath stuff?

            Friend 1: Don’t know if they take baths.

            Friend 2: [Grinds teeth]

            Friend 1: (Rifles through bath products on a shelf) Ooh, I can get this bar of goat milk soap; that sounds pretty healthy for the skin, right?

            Friend 2: Are you kidding me?!

            Friend 1: Too cheap?

            Friend 2: You don’t give someone bar soap as a present!  Bubble bath, maybe, but not bar soap!

            Friend 1: Still don’t know if they take baths.

            Friend 2: Fine-fine-fine, no bath stuff.  How about the candle display you raved about earlier?

          Friend 1: Ooh, right, great idea!  (Runs to the other side of the store, using a foot to right a display toppling in the slipstream on the way) Let’s see… (Picks up and puts down several candles before settling on one) Yes!  Nice scent, nice size, nice price, perfect!

            Friend 2: Thank goodness.  Bye.

            Friend 1: Oh wait: I think they have seasonal allergies, so scented candles probably would make it worse.

            Friend 2: Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh....

            Friend 1: (Sets the candle back onto the shelf and looks towards the store’s front window) Ooh, they have the lottery here!  I’ll just get some birthday scratch-offs!  (Runs to the front of the store, using a foot to right a customer toppling in the slipstream on the way)

            Friend 2: Ugh, that is such a non-gift!

            Friend 1: (Pauses at the front counter) Eh?

            Friend 2: If the tickets are a bust, it’s as if you didn’t give anything!

            Friend 1: Hm.  (Rummages through the various small items for sale on the counter displays)

            Sales Associate: Could you please stop touching everything?!  We have to disinfect all of it after you leave!

            Friend 1: I’m an indecisive shopper!  (To Friend 2) How about impulse-buy chocolate bars?

            Friend 2: (Wearily) Is the person allergic to chocolate?

            Friend 1: Nah, I distinctively remember them scarfing down brownies at the last work birthday.

            Friend 2: Then please grab some of those, stick a bow on `em, and call it a day.

          Friend 1: Sweet!  (Pays for the bars and is hustled out of the store by the employees and other customers)  Thanks for all your help; I would’ve still been in there, wandering the aisles and weeping, for at least another hour.

            Friend 1: I just can’t believe I got sucked into all that without even realizing it.  I hope this coworker’s worth it.

            Friend 1: Not really: they’re mean to everybody and yell a lot, but you know.  Birthday’s a birthday.

Story 310: Why Is No One Here As Stressed Out As I Am?!

            (In an office)

           Coworker 1: (Reading an e-mail) Oh no… oh no-no-no-no-no – this can’t be happening – what are we going to do – this can’t be happening – (Stands on top of the desk to address the sea of cubicles using a megaphone) Attention everyone, stop what you’re doing, we have a Code Red situation happening right now!  (Almost everyone casually looks up at Coworker 1; the rest continue with whatever it was they were doing) We all just got an e-mail that Corporate is coming, and we are nowhere near meeting regulatory requirements to pass any kind of inspection!  Nowhere!  Near!  Meeting!

            Coworker 2: (At a nearby cubicle) Oh, that e-mail?  They probably won’t even come to this department.

            Coworker 1: (Aims megaphone at Coworker 2) What kind of attitude is that to bring to the workplace?!  (Directs megaphone back to the rest of the office) All right, employees!  We need a complete inventory and thorough policy review done, ASAP and stat!

            Coworker 3: (Standing up and walking away) I’m going for a coffee break – anyone wanna join? (Ten others stand up and they all head for the break room)

            Coworker 1: (Directing the megaphone at their backs and then in a sweeping 360° to address the whole room) Does no one here comprehend the seriousness of the situation?!  Corporate, people, Cor-por-ate!  Our work parents!  Have any of you even thought within the past two years to dust your workstations and disinfect every surface you touch, hm?  Or inspect the fire alarms and the fire extinguishers?  How many of you keep food tucked away in the file cabinet drawers – forget that, are your files even filed properly?!

            Coworker 4: We have file cabinets?  I just keep everything on the server.

            Coworker 1: And what is your back-up if the server crashes, I ask you?!

            Coworker 4: Umm… the back-up server?

          Coworker 1: And if that also crashes?  Or gets hacked?  Or there’s a power surge and gigabytes of data are just gone, all gone?!

          Coworker 4: Umm…. Then I think the company’d have bigger problems by then and we’d probably all be out of a job so what’s the point?

            Coworker 1: Apathy!  Sloth!  That’s what leads to chaos and ruin and empires falling!

         Coworker 5: (Stands at desk) Hey everybody, it’s time for the downstairs receptionist’s retirement party!

             Coworker 6: Yay, cake!  (Another 20 people leave)

            Coworker 1: (Directing the megaphone at their backs) Wait a minute, you can’t leave now, we haven’t even gotten our emergency procedure manual in order yet, it hasn’t been updated in years!  And that cake better not have been sitting out for more than five minutes or else that’s a violation of Section 33.A.17 of the Infection Control Policy!

          Manager: (Wearing shorts and a T-shirt, zooms over to Coworker 1’s cubicle in a scooter) Hey, get down from there.

           Coworker 1: Sorry.  (Finally turns off the megaphone and jumps down to the floor) Don’t you worry about the Corporate visit today: I’m all over it.

           Manager: Yeah, about that – (Sips from a frozen drink) that e-mail was more of an FYI to everybody just so you’re aware they’re coming today; we’ve already gone through everything to make sure policies are updated and all that.

             Coworker 1: Oh.  But what about the lackadaisical behavior I’m seeing all around me?

            Manager: The managers’ll handle Corporate when they get here, and everyone else knows to be on their best behavior.  They’ll get here around 2:00, so maybe take the rest of the day off – there won’t be any work for you to do then, and it won’t affect your internship if you do a half day today.

          Coworker 1: But how will I ever learn anything if I’m not immersed in all aspects of the business milieu?

             Manager: (While zooming away) You’ll learn soon enough.