FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 17

Spec was groggy as he fumbled with the coffee maker. Luna left last night after having dinner and some drinks with the couple. Cindy was in the bathroom freshening up and getting dressed.

"Do you want some coffee Cindy? If so I'll make a full pot."

"If you have anymore milk or half and half yes, I'd love some."

He checked the fridge which did have a carton of half and half and about half a gallon of milk. He was surprised he had that much after all the cereal the three of them had the previous morning. The coffee machine started brewing as Spec made his way to the bathroom to wash up.

"Coffee is brewing Cindy. Pour yourself a cup when you are ready. I'll be out in a minute."

He decided to skip showering as he took one last night right before bed. He quickly brushed his teeth and applied deodorant before putting on a clean black button up shirt and black jeans. Cindy was blowing at her coffee mug as he poured his own cup.

"You sleep well Spec?"

"Not really Cindy. I guess I'm nervous about the new girls. Especially Kit. I don't need her to have a panic attack while training her you know?"

He had a sip of his coffee with out adding anything to it.

"You like your coffee black?"

"Only this blend made from three different kinds of beans. Doc told me about it from the exchange post. Some times I'll add cream and sugar but its pretty good black like this."

She took another sip from her mug as she looked in the fridge for something to eat.

"Did you get any bread? I want to make some toast before we start the day."

He handed her the bread bag as he looked around the kitchen wondering if he was going to have anything himself.

"Could you make me some too with a little butter? I'm going to go downstairs and see if Jen or Kit showed up early."

Cindy nodded as she placed some slices into the toaster. He couldn't see anyone in front of the store but unlocked the door just incase some one arrived while he wasn't looking. It was going to be a slow day as nothing new came in. Spec figured it would be the perfect time to train two people at once as Cindy came down with a plate of toast. She had her cute purple top and black pants on as her lanyard and name take bounced off her chest while coming down the stairs.

"For you, toast with light butter."

He chuckled and thanked her before eating. Cindy filled the register as Spec went over the orders for later in the week when the door opened. They both looked up to see Jen who was wearing a white button up shirt with white pants. She removed her red light weight jacket as she waved to them.

"Hello, thank you again for the job opportunity. I promise I'll do my best."

"It's nice to see you again Jen. This is Cindy, my assistant manager."

Cindy said "Hello" as she extended her hand. The panda took it and shook as she nodded.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Cindy. When do we get started?"

"Well we are expecting one more person. As soon as she gets here we can decide what to train you on first. You'll most likely be working with Spec Jen. For now why don't I show you the break room where you can hang your jacket up and store your belongings?"

Jen nodded as she followed Cindy to the break room. Spec continued to eat his toast when the front door opened again. He looked up to see Kit walking very slowly.

"Good morning Kit. How are you doing?"

The red fox was still a bit nervous as she let out a weak "hello" while waving. He let out a nervous laugh and sighs as he thought to him self, "At least she can respond to me talking to her." He composed himself after taking a sip of his coffee.

"Why don't you put your things and jacket in the break room. It's were we talked last time. Cindy is back there now showing our other new hire around. You should go meet her."

Kit nodded as she made her way to the back. Spec watched her as he gulped his coffee now that it had cooled down.

**********

"Welcome to Twilight books. As you both know, I'm Spec and this is Cindy."

He points to Cindy who waves to the ladies who wave back. Kit was now in her pink tee as the weather was warming up in the city.

"So, seeing as it is your first day we will keep things simple and show you how to work the registers and stock books. It should be pretty simple but feel free to ask any questions if you have any."

He looked at Kit who was still fidgeting a bit when he looked at her. He let out a drawn out moan as he turned to Cindy.

"Why don't you show Kit the stock rooms and our sections? I'll start Jen on the register and show her how to handle credit cards and what not."

She nodded seeing Kit.

"Come on Kit, store rooms are back this way."

The two of them walked off as Spec shook his head, looking down. Jen walked up to him and whispered "What was that all about?"

"Kit has a strong fear of wolves. A friend of hers who comes here regularly suggested she work here so she could see wolves aren't all bad. Surprisingly she is doing a lot better then when I first met her. Before she couldn't even look at me let alone form a sentence."

She looked up with an expression of realization about Kit. Spec walked behind the counter, motioning for Jen to join him. He started to shower the register system to her.

"So it's a pretty simple system. It's a touch screen but we also have a keyboard that pulls out just above the money till. It might seem intimidating at first but once you check out a few customers it will be pretty easy. Want to give it a try?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

She takes her position behind the counter and waits for the first customer.

**********

The morning was slow as expected on a Monday. A couple of customers came in to buy weekly digest books to read while on the bus or while having coffee. Not wanting to seem like he was playing favoritism, Spec had Jen and Kit switch off so the fox could learn to work the register as well.

"So you see; it's pretty easy to get the hang of. Do you want to try it out on the next customer?"

"Okay, I'll give it a try."

Kit's voice was a little weak as she spoke. She took her position behind the register and waited. It wasn't long before the front door open as a familiar face walked in. Jon stood at the counter looking at Kit. She was taken back a bit as she never really met anyone as tall as him. Spec cleared his throat, in turn catching the ferret's attention.

"I take it you are off today Jon."

"Yeah, I'm off, wife is at work, and kids are with the grand parents. Who is this?"

"This is Kit, one of the new hires. Kit, this is Jon, my friend from when I was in the Navy. He is also a constant pain in my side."

"What ever spec, everyone knows you love me."

Jon took his usual spot behind the counter as Spec rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger.

"Cindy, could you please bring Jen up here? I want her to meet my walking headache."

"Oh, Jon is here?"

The ferret laughed as Spec sighed realizing how predictable he had become when it came to describing his friends. Cindy and Jen were soon at the counter as Spec continued the introductions.

"Jen, Jon. Jon, Jen. This part of the training I can't stress enough. He does not work here nor is he a customer. Feel free to be rude and beat him if need be."

The fox and panda were confused as both Cindy and Jon laughed at the statement. Spec shook his head and continued.

"Seriously though, Jon is allowed back here. Just don't let him 'help' customers or take books home he hasn't paid for. He can read as many as he wants while here though."

"So are you sleeping with these two yet?"

Spec was furious at Jon's question. Kit and Jen were also shocked as Cindy shook her head annoyed. Spec looked as if he was about to kill Jon when he took some deep breaths. He exhaled and turned to face his new employees.

"Pardon my soon to be dead ferret friend here. I swear I did not hire you two to have sex with you. But the fact of the matter is after I hired Cindy we started dating and that is what my tactless friend was trying to get at. Please, don't take his tasteless humor the wrong way."

Both nodded as Cindy gave Jon a look. He shrugged at her as Spec walked from behind the counter towards the back.

"Jon, would you kindly join me in the back where there are no witnesses? Ladies, if you wouldn't mind watching the front for me I'd appreciate it."

The ferret followed his friend into the break room. Spec quickly turned around pointing his finger into Jon's chest.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now and eat you."

"Cause then you'd have to take care of my kids and wife and explain why they don't have a daddy anymore."

He was caught off guard by the witty come back as he lowered his hand and thought for a second.

"Damn that was a pretty good comeback. Well why I shouldn't break your legs at least?"

"Cause you are too cheap to pay for the ambulance to haul me away after."

"... Just stop fucking with my new hires okay?"

"But it's so much fun watching you panic."

"Maybe for you but I have enough shit to deal with without you making those girls think I'm going to hit on them, especially kit. Poor girl is so scared of me it would be a cold day in hell before she would consider sleeping with me."

Spec picked up some paper towels someone left crumpled up by the mini fridge as he walked back to the break room door.

"So it's that bad? Why'd you hire her then?"

"Cindy talked me into it. I don't want to explain the details."

He was about to open the break room door when he realized he still had the paper towel in his hand. With his back to the trash can, he tossed it over his shoulder with out looking. After a short pause he turned to watch as the paper towel ball made it into the trash bin across the room in one smooth motion.

"You know if you had done that with out looking it would have been more badass?"

Spec shrugged as he walked back to the front of the store. He could see that Kit was shaking as she talked to someone.

"I'm sorry sir I don't know what you are talking about. It's my first day here."

"What's going on here?" Spec asked as he saw a toothy grin coming form underneath a brown fedora and a collar up trench coat. He instantly realized who it was.

"Hey Alejandro, how have you been?"

The hyena gave a soft chuckle as he looked back still grinning at Spec.

"I've been well but it seems I've given your new employee here a fright. I was wondering if you had pulled the books I asked for."

He talked in a low voice that was clear but had a hint of mystery to it. It was almost like listening to an old horror movie announcer when he spoke.

"Oh yeah we have them. Kit this is Alejandro, another regular like Angie. You don't have to worry about him. He just sounds scary."

"I resent that Spec. I'm as pleasant as a new born, that is until you cross me."

His grin seemed to grow wider as Cindy got a better look at him.

"Hello sir. I don't mean to be rude or anything but I've been working here a couple of months now and I've never seen you here before."

"That is a very true statement miss. As it were I have been... Well let's say I've been traveling for business."

He let out an unsettling chuckle as Spec put a stack of magazines and a book on the counter.

"Okay Alejandro, we have some knitting and craft magazines, a copy of Illuminations, a couple of Horror Cinema monthly, and a copy of quick and easy meals for busy families."

"Add this to the pile please."

He handed Spec a weekly copy of Liz and Katy comics, a spin off of the Andy comic series.

"I will never understand how you work Alejandro. Kit could you ring him up please?"

She slowly takes each book from the pile and scans them. She is a bit shaky as is everyone else besides Jon and Spec. Kit finished the transaction and handed the still grinning hyena a bag with his purchase.

"Ah, thank you much young lady. I'm sorry if I gave you a fright. Here, have a caramel."

He raised his hand offering Kit a small candy in a wrapper. She looks to Spec who nods assuring her it was okay. She took it and thanked him. He chuckled again as he tipped his hat to her.

"You are very welcome. In fact, everyone should have a caramel."

Again he raised his hand producing a piece of caramel for everyone in the store. It was eerie as no one saw him reach into his pockets or anything. It was as if the candy just appeared out of thin air into his hand. Spec and Jon were the first to take some pieces but Jen and Cindy shook their heads and politely declined.

"Very well then, perhaps next time I'll bring cookies for everyone. Take care and be safe when out at night."

He walked out of the store still chuckling as Spec and Jon waved him off. Kit was still looking at her caramel, confused at what had just happened. Cindy leaned over to Spec to whisper "That was not normal, at all." Spec grinned as he chewed his piece of candy.

"No it wasn't but Alejandro is anything but normal. He's a nice guy and all. I think he has a family. He's not big on words. But he seems to make home made treats and he always shares with people. You'll get used to him eventually I think."

"I don't know how you can get use to that."Jen added as she propped herself against the check out counter.

"It's not so hard. I mean if you can get used to Spec here you should be fine with Alejandro."

Spec looked back at Jon and tossed his wrapper at him for his remake. The ferret was able to knock it away with his hand. Spec shook his head as Jon got his graphic novel and continued to read.

"Okay, let's get back to work. But remember, Alejandro is a regular so get used to him giving you stuff. I tried to get him to stop but he almost never takes no for an answer until at least one person takes something from him."

Cindy took Jen to the back of the store to show her how to restock the books. Spec looked to Kit who seemed to be a bit rattled still. He instinctively reached out to touch her shoulder but stopped short remembering her fear.

"Are you okay Kit?"

"I'm fine but I just need a moment."

Spec nodded as he stepped back.

"Alejandro can be intimidating. I blame the low voice and constant grinning. Why don't you go see if Jen and Cindy are ready for a break and the three of you can get some drinks or something and get a breather? I'll be fine by myself for a bit."

Kit nodded as she moved from behind the register and went in the direction that Cindy and Jen went. Spec sighed as he took the spot behind the register.

"So why did you hire her again when she seems to always be a nervous wreck?"

"I don't know Jon. I guess I'm just a nice guy who is a sucker for cute girls and I am easily suckered in when Cindy says I can help people."

Jon paused a second to look at Spec.

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

Spec turned his head towards his friend who went back to his book. He sighed as he turned back.

"You know what though Jon? I really hope Cindy is right and that I can help Kit. That poor girl needs a confidence boost if she is going to be a fox in the city."

"Fox in the city. That sounds like the title of a weird sex story or TV show."

"Jon, to you everything sounds like a weird sexy story or TV show."

"That's rich coming from the guy that showed me a comic series that is basically about living latex suits."

"No one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to read it Jon."

"Yeah, you got me there."