Yesterday was all sorts of creeper. The first creeper who came in was a homeless man who bore an unsettling resemblance to Santa. He parked his cart of hobo things out front and came in. He didn't set off as many warning bells as he could have because he didn't smell like caked piss and dirt, and spoke sanely enough. So we let him wander, pawning him off on Christian. I went to help a bachelorette party and forgot about him. I was involved for a good long while and when I finished I saw that Christian had texted me, despite being two feet away. I read that he and Kat were about to call the police because the homeless man was touching himself. I look over. He's standing at books, obviously reading rather than flipping through and see a quick motion. I say that the cops should be called only if he wouldn't leave, and told Christian to ask him to stop. Christian and Kat both look at me helplessly. "Seriously?" I asked. Christian refused point blank and Kat hefted the phone so I made a face and headed over to him. "I'm sorry sir, we do have a time limit as to how long you can read books." He looks at me with a bland smile, "Oh but it's a really good book." I grimace a smile, "That's why it's a rule." I walked away. He stayed looking at the book for another minute, then left the store.
Later it was just me and Kat, and three young Mexican guys came in. I came back from my lunch as they were coming up to the counter. I had just leaned in against the counter when one asked, "Are you ladies ready?" It was such an odd question that I looked over at Kat, and we both look at them perplexed. "Ready?" Kat asked. He points over his shoulder to our dressing rooms and both of our hackles rise at the perceived insult. It's possible, barely, that there was a miscommunication, that the young man was not in fact propositioning us like we were prostitutes. Perhaps he was joking, or perhaps he thought they were public booths we had to let them into. But I seriously fucking doubt it. Both of our expressions became glacial, and we both tense because it's two small females against three young males. I was mentally measuring the distance to the box cutters while Kat gave a brittle laugh and said, "Those are the dressing rooms."
They didn't comment as they were rung up for a bottle of flavored lubricant. I was staring stonily ahead and slightly away, but one of the guys moved closer to me and stared at me fixedly. I refused to make eye contact, and radiated hostility at him. He kept staring, and finally asked, "Are you having a nice day?" I turned to him, all bubbles and sunshine. "Yeah, it was so sunny out, the drive in was great." I grinned at him with all my teeth showing, and he gave an uncomfortable smile and stepped back a pace.
As they were leaving they bid us all good night and he turned back for a last look at me before proceeding out the door. We relaxed and then exploded with irritation. I've had people ask what I expect, working where I do. But does a grocery clerk get asked to prepare a meal? Does a car salesman act as your chauffeur? It's a goddamn retail job.Were we ready? Ready to kick some ass.
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