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Do A Little Turn On The Catwalk (Asher)
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Post by Asher on Dec 17, 2016 8:34:42 GMT
"Practice makes perfect?" The boy tried to encourage his trainee, looking at the newer flower. Once he figured out how to make the petals more even, he'd be fine! Maybe.
Placing another finished flower on the tray, a voice popped up behind the two. "Ash. Why are you still here?"
"Not my name," Asher was quick to respond, though he put on his fake smile and spun to look at an older girl in a maid's outfit. "I was waiting for you! Did you know that you're, uh," yellow eyes flickered to look at the clock on the wall, "fooorty-five second late. I had to keep productive! Can't have slackers!"
This didn't seem to be quite the answer that the girl wanted, but she simply looked at Isaac, then let out a groan. "New kid?" This received a nod, and the maid lifted her arms in the air, clearly uninterested after the confirmation. At least he wasn't bringing random people into the kitchen that didn't belong! "I thought you had plans after work? Shouldn't you be hurrying?" Oof. This woman wanted him out! Now!
Still, Asher didn't seem particularly phased, offering for Isaac to put his flower on the tray before he covered it to put back in the fridge. "I do have plans, but do you ever think I'm on time for them, anyway? I can't go places if you're forty five seconds late!" Stop mentioning the forty five seconds, Asher, you're making her mad! "At least I'm filling my job description! Arrive on time, leave when the relief shows!"
"Well, she showed. Now get. You're throwing off the flow of my shift."
Friendly as ever! With a quick gesture, the redhead shoved the tray of flowers into the girl's arms. "You got it. Since you don't want me here, though, mind cleaning up my mess? Then, I'll just be in the way!" Did people just not get along here, or what? "Oh! And Isaac, this is one of the other shift managers!" Well, that was a pleasant introduction. "I'll let her introduce herself when you're on her shift, because she clearly doesn't want my people tainting her workspace!" With an afterthought that really should have been kept to himself, the teen clicked his tongue again. "Oh, speaking of tainting the workplace, can you keep that kind of thing at home? I'm still not over the last time."
Gathering up the items on the table, the maid seemed to turn all sorts of shades of pink, before hurrying off toward the cooler. Hey, apparently she really did want him gone, if she was willing to take care of his workspace! "Just... Just go home already!"
Gently taking Isaac's arm, the young man was quick to begin guiding him from the kitchen. "Okay! You heard the lady! We're leaving!" Still, he had to stop by the office to pick up his jacket, so he paused for a moment. "She's actually a lot nicer than that, most of the time! I promise, nobody actually bites!" Except for, maybe, Asher himself! "And, you'll get a legitimate introduction eventually!" Slipping into the office, the teen pulled on his hoodie, before walking out again. "Any more questions, concerns, blahblahblah, before we punch out?"
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Dec 17, 2016 8:46:25 GMT
Isaac nodded, mashing New Flower up for a third pass. Unfortunately, it was heavily unlikely he'd get said chance. The new manager was here, and she did not sound happy to see Asher. In fact, his mere presence was ticking her off bigtime! And she went right for the jugular, too, using nicknames that weren't actual nicknames to throw Asher off of his game. From there, the two entered into a textbook manager fight. Asher cited latenesses. New girl snidely emphasized hurrying up. She accused him of throwing off her flow. And then, with the death blow of accusing her of unsavory behavior, Asher sent the other manager fleeing with her tail between their legs. The only way this could've been more tense was if it was narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Isaac considered asking if she needed a hand with cleaning up their little side project, but apparently she didn't need Asher's employees tainting up her workspace. Instead he kept his head down and his mouth shut, because poking the wrong person on the chain of command was the easiest way to get his ass shipped off to janitorial duty. He turned to Asher as the two left, commenting "So many people happy to see me, eh? Although from the sound of things, first days get chilly receptions pretty often." Not all of them got quit within 10 minutes of training first receptions, but Asher was special like that.
Maybe once Isaac was proven to stick around and legitimate introductions were at hand, the rest of the crew would warm up a bit.
"I think I'm good for now," Isaac remarked at Asher's all-encompassing question about questions. "Pretty productive first day, at least in my books. Although now I kinda wonder . . ."
He turned to Asher, the other shift manager's question now burning in his head. "After work plans, huh?" Asher didn't seem the type to have plans, after all! The only dates he went on were dates with his bed, from the sound of things. Was there more to the secret life of Asher than anyone else had guessed, or was he just fancying up his sleep schedule?
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Post by Asher on Dec 17, 2016 9:04:42 GMT
Was Isaac worried about the fact that none of the workers seemed overly thrilled to meet him? "It takes a couple of days. Nobody wants to remember your name, if you'll quit before you finish being trained." That made sense. Jobs could be like revolving doors with employees. "Don't take it personally. You'll probably understand why, after the next few people get hired." After all, Isaac probably wouldn't have time to consider remembering their names if they left in a day!
"Sure! Why wouldn't I have plans?" What did he take Asher for? Someone who never left the house? "I promised I'd take Piper to a movie." That probably made more sense. After all, who else could make Asher want to be on time for something? "Something about a guy keeping monsters in his suitcase, I think? I don't know. She's excited about it, so I guess I'll try not to sleep through it." At least he was trying! "Otherwise, I'd have no reason to request certain shifts!" Oh, that reminded him! "I'll teach you how to do requests for days off, and stuff, next time we work together, alright? Don't let me forget!"
Walking toward the back door, the teen was already looking at his phone, texting his sister. "Why? Did you think I had a date or something?" That was a great joke! "I figured you'd just be happy that meant you were getting out on time, too." If Asher hadn't had plans, who knew if he'd remember what time his trainee was supposed to go home at? It wasn't like he watched the time!
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Dec 17, 2016 18:53:27 GMT
Isaac nodded. It sucked being on the receiving end of people's suspicions, but it also sucked having employees constantly coming in and out like a revolving door. Still, did the chilly reception contribute to that a little? Maybe, maybe not. If someone was going to leave they were likely going to leave any way, after all. Regardless, as New Guy, he might as well try to be a good olive branch to the next few New Guys that rotated in. "Yeah, I think I get that," he said. "Well, you're not gonna have to worry about me dropping off the map, at least." The more Isaac considered his plan, the more getting out after Christmas was seeming unfeasible. Having actual money to work with was also sounding a good deal more appealing. It wasn't a job Isaac knew he wanted, but definitely one he could work with.
Well, at least there was one girl in his life Asher would drop anything for. Even to the point of sacrificing the oh-so-important sleep schedule, too. He smiled slightly at mention of the movies, remembering that Elliot had been hounding him to go at least see something too. Unfortunately, it always ended up kind of infeasible. Why did all the stuff Elliot want to see have to be too high-rated? "Sounds like a nice day," Isaac replied, voice warm.
Although the fact that someone like Asher seemed almost incredulous about the date idea was a bit eyebrow raising, he figured there were enough people bugging Asher about the matter to make the prospect unappealing. When it wasn't crazy fangirls, it was crazy random strangers! Didn't change the fact that if Asher did want a date he could probably get one with ease, of course, but he already got enough hair-dolls as is. "Nah. Get the feeling you'd need a break from that kind of thing," Isaac said, at least trying to be more careful this time than with the accidental paparazzi remark. He'd be a hypocrite if he didn't try to understand where Asher's coming from.
At mention of Isaac getting out on time too, Isaac shrugged. "Afraid I'd get snapped up by the other manager on you?" he teased. "Don't worry. I wouldn't let her lie about you." Then again, it was truthing about Asher that would probably be way more concerning than lying about him!
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Post by Asher on Dec 18, 2016 6:31:02 GMT
Well, that was a good sign. Isaac actually seemed interested in this job! "I know what class you're in, if you try to ditch work, though. Remember that!" Of course, this sounded more like a sing-song taunt than a legitimate threat. Though Piper might actually turn it into more of a threat, if she were to confront the boy. That girl could be kind of scary when she wanted to be!
Asher debated briefly on inviting his new coworker along for the movie. But, eh, Pip might not appreciate that. Plus, then he'd feel responsible for other people, and he really didn't care to! "I hope it is." Unless the theater was packed. Which, considering how popular the movie sounded, it wouldn't surprise the teen in the slightest. Ah well. He'd struggle through a little claustrophobia if it meant that his sister would be happy about it.
The redhead shrugged, thinking about if he really needed a break or not. Actually, he had no idea if he was even too interested in dating! A major problem with dates was that he didn't really want to bother with someone that wasn't serious. But, it was nearly impossible to just randomly pick a person, and them be the right one. Not to mention, he'd have to find someone that could legitimately tolerate him! The teen could barely handle himself, some days!
"Nah, she's not new-kid friendly. You probably won't actually be on one of her shifts until you can work alone." The highest first-day turnover rates were if she tried to train people! ...Okay, maybe the other manager could be a little mean. But just because she didn't like to deal with incompetence! But, it made him think. What would she say about him, given the chance? "I don't think she'd lie about anything, actually! She'd just choose the truths that aren't as pleasing!" After all, everyone would get dirt on their coworkers after enough time. "Might scare you away!" The last part was meant to be teasing, but Asher had to wonder if there was anything that could do that. Oh well! He really didn't care if Isaac liked him at the end of the day! Or, if anyone did, for that matter!
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Dec 18, 2016 7:05:08 GMT
"Me? Ditch? Maybe if the world was ending or something," Isaac boasted. Although then again, the world ending was a surprisingly legitimate scenario considering the Digital World. Maybe that would be cause for a day off. Good thing Asher was showing him how to request shifts soon, at least. "So long as I'm able to get Christmas, at least for part of it, I'm good for whatever you can toss at me." Those were words that Isaac would surely come to regret once hours started stacking up, but might as well try and look good in front of his boss, right? The real important part was spending the holidays with Maia. Everything else, it would be time to roll with the punches.
At hearing the other manager wasn't newbie friendly, Isaac let a sigh of relief escape him. For all he knew he was a perfectly nice lady, but she seemed quite intimidating. And Isaac really didn't want to get a bad tongue lashing on one of his first few days on the job. "Well, at least that'll be something to look forward to later, huh?" Isaac joked, voice dry. It seemed like Asher agreed with Isaac's assessment that the unfortunate truths would hit harder than any lies, though. Isaac couldn't imagine it would be too hard to find material, but then again it would've also been foolish to pass over his better points.
Still, Asher probably had to give his fair share of employee evaluations as well. That got Isaac thinking about one last question. "Well, you've got a lot of experience here. How do you think I did?" he asked, a tiny bit of hesitance solidifying into a final bit of self-assurance. He had the feeling Asher and Elliot already discussed it, but he wanted an honest, to-his-face assessment with the kid gloves taken right off. "I know I've probably got a good deal of growing into the role to do, but I hope I didn't crash and burn, at least."
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Post by Asher on Dec 18, 2016 7:49:46 GMT
"Plenty of things to look forward to later!" Asher assured, letting the subject sail over his head. What was the point in maintaining topics, when he could just encompass everything? Oh, and things about days off. Yeah. "I'm sure you'll get Christmas off. Our hours are shortened, and people who don't celebrate usually work those shifts." That was the best solution, after all!
But, as far as how well he did? "Two out of three newbies quit in the first week. Ask me after that!" Then again, by that mark, Isaac would surely have a decent enough handle on it. And, if not? He would know. Maybe it was a cop-out answer, but Asher didn't care. It was too hard to judge someone from three table's worth of experience!
Looking to his phone again, the manager hummed, "I need to leave now, though. Piper won't be happy if I cut it too close to the show time. Might miss those all-important previews!" Opening the back door, Asher paused, "oh! And, make sure to never use the front door when you're working. Breaks the image of us being great butlers, if we're spotted in the cafe wearing civilian clothes within five minutes of our fancy outfits." Hopefully, it would make sense to Isaac. After all, who wanted to see their butler in a baggy hoodie and faded jeans?
Lifting one hand up, to give a small wave, Asher chimed a, "later!" before wandering out the door.
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Dec 18, 2016 8:04:55 GMT
Two out of three? Seriously? Isaac had expected a high turnover rate, but even that seemed a bit much! He looked quite shocked by finding this out, having expected something more along the lines of a quarter, maybe half at most, to bail. And that's the first week alone. Who knew how many planned on sticking around for the long haul rather than bowing out within the first month or so? "Yikes," was all he could think to say in the face of that statistic. However, his shock slowly gave way to a more joking smirk. "Hey, that'll put me in the top third by default, at least."
Isaac nodded at Asher's last bit of advice, realizing this probably meant going back through stale cigarette alley. It was an even less glamorous exit than leaving through the front door in civilian clothes, but at least it meant there was a better chance of keeping the illusion for the customers. "Yeah, and if I take too long Elliot's gonna be waiting for me, too," Isaac admitted, sure that Elliot was going to be patrolling the area in search of him. He probably would want to hit the Digital World up soon, or maybe just crash at home.
It was interesting, in a way. Elliot was first to complain when Isaac wanted to go to the Digital World, but now that they were going less frequently he was starting to complain about missing it. Sometimes, Isaac wondered if Elliot ever knew what he wanted.
He raised a hand to wave farewell to Asher as well. "See you next time," he said, only to promptly head out the same door. Thankfully, he made sure to go down the opposite alleyway to avoid making it an awkward exit.
Once reaching the exit Elliot promptly caught up to him, falling in step with his big brother. "So! How'd you like your first day?" Elliot asked, the tone of his voice implying it was going to be the first of many.
"Y'know? It was exhausting, but I think I can get used to it." Isaac responded, smirking confidently.
"Ha! There's my big bro!" Elliot gave Isaac a gentle punch to the arm, smiling back. "So. Why the new job, huh? 'Cause I'm pretty sure every time we talked about it, you always told me things were too busy."
"Alright, alright. I'll tell you on the way back home, okay?" Isaac said. Slowly the two walked off as Isaac started to tell all.
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