[6:30 am]

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

*GROAN*

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *SLAM*

    "A day to work for my pay," Emma said before she brushed her teeth, a put on a nice red blouse and dark jean, brush her hair and have her thick spiky bangs held back making her appear as if she have a pixie cut.

    She checked the living room, Mitch wasn't there, but he left a putrid stench in a dumpster she had to rinse outside besides the bowls and plates she used for breakfast.

     They arrived 5 minutes before 7:00 where Emma works and as usual were greeted by Jared. Emma pulled out her apron and punch the clock with her time card. 

    "Could I ask people here about the job they have or what job they are going for is like?" Dawn ask.

    "It's for the 'when I grow up' activities" Emma said.

    "Sure thing Dawny," Jared obliged.

     Business was slow early in the morning, usually consisting of those who worked across from them. Sometimes including the man from the boutique. The first interaction she had with Emma had with him were very awkward freezing like a deer in headlights before she broke into having a full on malfunction when she eventually tried respond to him. So she a coworker she was staffed with to greet and ask him his order to save the man from any embarrassment.

    That was until he arrived around noon after Jared left to enjoy lunchbreak elsewhere. He came with what appeared to be a friend with a canine needed to be held on a short leash due to how excited she was acting. Emma treated her attention to the customers a little like a rehearsal before he was at the counter. 

    'Deep breaths Emma, act normal and a smile,' "hello sir, how may I help you?"

   "Two coffees, one regular the other iced; two bacon burgers; a ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato sandwich with mayo sub, 6 butter cookies and a small cup of whip cream for my friend's lovely doggy daughter please," he said, making her giggle. "I'm glad that made a smile on a pretty little lady such as yourself. It did for me after I thought my friend Maury, meant a girlfriend, fiance, or wife when he said Lovely Liana, but no he mean a large pup that's keeping him pretty busy out there. Must be happy to spread her legs after a long drive."

    "I'm going to start you off with your beverages and coffee, I mean pasties. Both coffee beverages and pastries," Emma said, "so Maury came all the way to see you again?"

     "That's partly true but not all of his intent there's quite a few coincidences that made him decide to stop by. Well the woman they normally went to after I left is out of commission since her arm and shoulder was shattered by a potted plant that fell from a two story building,"

    "Oh my gosh,"

   "Indeed, though luckily Maury and a large amounts of community theater members pitched in to help her and she got enough to pay her medical bills plus a little extra that could help her get by while she's in the process of healing."

   "That's wonderful,"

   "Indeed,"

   "So your tailoring some of their costumes?"

   "I will,"

   "For what characters,"

   "Well on for Erik and the other for Christine from-"

   "The Phantom of the Opera, oh I'm sorry,"

   "Its okay. So you know the play?"

   "Yes, it's one of my favorites. I always wanted to play Christine as well as a few other roles."

    "Yep wish of wanting to have roles in a dark romance or drama, just like a lot of the girls going through such cringey fangirling phases of their lives," Archie said.

    "Says the one who decided to try to imitate Batman's broodiness and continues it to this day, it would have been immaculate if it weren't for a tub load of jerk wad added to the mix,"

   "Shouldn't you have gave him his total before you've prepared his order?" Archie said.

    "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry,"

    "No worries I added up in my head, it okay,"

   "At least have the cream on me," Emma said, "as well as the cookies."

   "You know that's bad for business,"

    "Which is why I should pocket out for my own bumbling, including for the last time I also did so to you."

    "It alright, besides how you've approached me is a lot better. I've been pretty nervous myself starting some of of my earliest jobs."

    "Really,"

   "I was used to working behind the scenes with little interactions that is until I was pushed to be one of the cast members a few time. I actually played the phantom since they did found me pretty intimidating. Playing for an audience was intimidating, so much more of a role than when I was a toad stool in my elementary school play."

    "I can imagine that being the case. Though besides being intimidating I fine it's easy for them to choose to cast you since you do have a nice voice."

    "Thank you. It was a good experience and afterwards I decided to be more involved. Act more charming, be more efficient. Build myself to who I am today."

     "Being on stage, intertwining with a story can be amazing,"

    "Wait are you the same girl who ran away from the block when I was rechecking where I would set up shop?"

     "Umm,"

     "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions and making you uncomfortable."

     "No, I was just processing the change that was made to the store,"

     "When you were running away the woman who I was with, Gracie called out your name. She told me she would regularly drop her have her at the store while she gets some grocery during her break since you know how to keep kids enthralled with your performance."

    "I was a theatre brat almost as long as I could remember. Taking in the attention I could receive, a job well done. Though I think my inspiration was from my mother since she was absolutely magnificent in bringing stories to life. Archie and I use to fuss over which books she were to animate for us but regardless we enjoy witnessing what she unveiled for us."

    "That's kind of similar to how I learned some methods of sewing, witnessing my mother at working on her customer's blankets, sheets and clothing,"

     "Hey Eddie did you forget about us?" Maury said sticking his head in while blocking Liana from entering the establishment.

    "I'm so sorry for taking much of your time,"

    "No I actually enjoyed our conversation and would enjoy talking some more with you."

   "Really? I mean that's sound nice. Okay here's you order. I hope you enjoy your order Mr. Gluskin and see you soon."

    "You too, by the way you can call me Eddie instead if you like darling"

    "Darling?"

    "I know it sounds so stereotypical for someone who is involve with designing clothing to say that but I just do that to joke around," Eddie responded.

    "Yes,"

    "Have a good day,

     "You too," Emma said glimmering with joy, while Archie continued to have an overwhelmed feeling of within his guts about the man, and a flood of utter dread.