My first job after high school was as a cashier at a retail store at the nearby mall. The pay was okay, the people working and shopping there were friendly and polite, and my supervisors were pretty accommodating with me taking classes. Unfortunately, retail gets really hectic as the holidays approach. I got some first-hand experience with this fact one particularly busy night, and it was an experience I will never forget.
It all started innocuously enough during my lunch break. I had a sandwich and a large soda in the food court. It was really good, and I almost lost track of the time. Glancing at my watch I realize I don't have much time left, so I gulp down the last of my drink and head back to my store. As I'm walking, I feel the first signal of a need to urinate, but I don't give it much thought. Besides, I need to sign back in and get back to my register. I don't want to keep anyone from taking their break.
As I get back to the break room to sign back in, I realize I probably should go to the bathroom. My boss is there, though, and I really don't have more time. I head back to my register and pass the word on to a coworker that they can now take their break. It's still quite busy, but I'm not the only one working at this set of registers, so business isn't too overwhelming. I'm able to focus on my work and ignore the fluids building up in my bladder.
About an hour or so later, the throngs of people have subsided and it is pretty quiet. Large piles of merchandise that customers decided they did not want as they were in line have accumulated at the registers, which my coworkers and I will need to put away. The fluids I drank during my break have all but finished making their way to my bladder. I feel the sudden pang of discomfort and shift on my feet. I am not too worried at this point, I know I have another break coming up.
I don't feel like staying late to put stuff away, so while I do not have anyone queued at my register, I collect an assortment of items to put away. The walking and the way my belt and pants fit across my stomach makes me I feel a modest amount of discomfort in my stretching bladder. Soon, it's all I can think about. I know I have a break coming up and my bladder isn't so full that I should be worried. Perhaps all the stories I had been reading about accidents was making me over-react and panic now that I might be facing the prospect of having one. Despite my fears, I know I can hold it. Probably....