Girlfriend types 01
Hello there, I'm Brad and I'm that guy that you knew of back in the day or that guy that you remember playing a sport with once or twice, but you struggle to remember much else about me. Or maybe I should just come out and say that I was a loner growing up, but not so much of a loner that I never owned a ball glove or a pair of spikes, both of which I have for sale online and yes, they are both in that good of condition and the claim in my ad that they were only used once is absolutely true, so.
So, here's how those years went, I graduated HS without fanfare, I graduated from CC with about the same amount of fanfare, but here I am at 22, back in Middleton and earning a living by providing a tasty snack to any and all shoppers at the local mall.
Now before you chuckle at me for buying into a national franchise chain for a Hot Pretzel kiosk counter inside of the local mall food cantina court, well, I mean, my bank account may not be overflowing just yet, but it does enjoy positive contributions on a regular basis and that's what I chuckle about. And I'm an employer too. I mean, none of my kiosk positions are lifetime employment opportunities, but I offer paid work and I have a city plaque to proof it, LOL. Um, well, I have been told that I have a "type" when it comes to hiring, but I dismiss that with those who would be interested in earning shoe money by working at a mall kiosk counter and that's all I have to say about that.
Oh, and it's not all a bed of roses though. I mean, malls, right? Seven days a week from 9 to 9. Well, it's more like 10 to 9 for my Hot Pretzel kiosk because my main day shift employee, Darla, insists that she has proof positive survey results that show most shoppers don't need a snack until 10 am, so.
So, other than that, my life is pretty good right, my awkward appearance from the past have smoothed out and working at the mall offers so many opportunities to meet other people, so, life is pretty good and I spread it around too. I mean, I eat and drink at the other cantina counters and I don't say anything to any of my employees when they do the same. I mean, a tasty soft pretzel only goes so far, right?
"Welcome to the Lava Java Hut, where our coffee is thicker than road tar, so, how can I help you today, oh, um, hi Brad, I mean, should I go get Kelsey from the back because she's the only one who can make your coffee your special way, Brad? Mm-mmm?"
"Carli, what makes you think that I don't come for my coffee when I know that you're working, huh?"
"Because everyone knows that Kelsey is your Lava Girlfriend and I may or may not be reminding you that her 20th birthday is this weekend, so she's just right for you, so. I mean, if there was ever a reason for you to have a small celebration mixer for a few of your favorite mall rat workers, I mean, what better reason then, right Brad? Also, is Darby working this evening?"
"Well, if flirting is the same as working, then yes, Darby is on the schedule for this evening. And keep your voice down about Kelsey. She may not appreciate being referred to as a Lava Girlfriend and all, so."
Um, folks, I may have left a few things to be read between the lines above, but at least I didn't lie about my love life experiences. I mean, it's not zero, but it's a long way from knowing how to have and treat a Lava Girlfriend, so.
"Well, I don't think that Kelsey minds and some of us in the food court may or may not have begun hash tagging "Lava Girlfriend", but you heard me when I said that she's this close to turning 20, right Brad? That's prime, Brad, that's prime. Besides, I also noticed that you "liked" her most recent posting on Chang that said "a Lava Girlfriend? Who, me?" and all, so. I mean, that was a lot of emojis, Brad."
"Well Carli, I never said that I didn't like my Lava Girlfriend, I mean, Kelsey, so."
"Well, I'll just make your special bold double-double with one and one tar coffee and give you a moment to think about having a quiet mixer to, you know, maybe heat up the lava flow. I'll also mention that she's on her break right now and she's shopping at the Red Bag store, so."
I mean, I mean, I mean, the Red Bag store, well, the Red Bag store rules!
"Alright, boss stud man Brad, one cup of pipe cleaner to go and two fair warnings."
Oh, wow, I never noticed before how a counter worker uses her eyes to direct your attention to the tip jar, but it seemed to work, so good business practice, I guess."
"One, LOL, check your phone for an announcement of your small mixer."
[Ping.]
"And two, I mean, you're done with that little fem boy date night stuff, right Brad? I mean, make your Lava Girlfriend a few promises about that and think about the Red Bag store, Brad, the Red Bag store."
Well, I said that there were a few things to be read between the lines above and all. But in my defense, well, he's, oops, Gee G "was" cute as hell and he tricked me into letting him blow me a couple of times a month and insert nine other excuses here and let's just move on, alright folks?
"Well, this quiet mixer notification that just came across my phone seems to have originated from my phone, so."
"Please Brad, Darby hacked your cell phone codes long ago. I mean, she's your best employee and all, so. And Brad, I promise to keep things small and quiet, so Darby and I will attend as mixer dates, so???"
"Carli, is that same as saying that you and Darby already have "plus one" dates lined up?"
"(And Lillianna too.) Well, just one hard ice tea each and we won't stay too long, so???"
I mean, work life in a mall, right? There is never a dull moment, so.
Also, woo, I mean, wow, wow, the Lava Java Hut should change their neon sign to include "Storm Drain Cleaning" too! I mean, ahh, a piping hot road tar lava, right? I mean, OMG, why in hell do I drink this stuff? Oh yeah, because my Lava Girlfriend lures me in.
"OMG, boss, boss Brad, everyone is talking about it and you're hash tagging all over Chang, boss!"
"Darby, I've told you plenty of times, we always start with "how's business" here at my Hot Pretzel kiosk counter before we jump into all the silly gossip, so?"
"Please Brad, look at my adorable face, will you? Nobody can resist me, which means everyone just has to grab a hot pretzel, which means you stack more paper and I bag more tips, so???"
"Fine, so, I mean, if the people were talking and all, I mean, what might the people be hash tag saying, Darby? And don't forget to interpret for me. I seem to get lost in the hash tag lingo, so."