The Stand: Origins
“Hey hubby! Thanks for swinging by the store! I've finally got the store closed for the day.” Vivian said to her husband Dan while coming over to him for a hug.
“No problem baby!” He said while returning her hug and giving her a quick kiss.
“How'd your interview go today?” She asked while still in his embrace.
She felt his shoulders slump before he started talking, “Ugh, not good. Well, the interview went great but at the end I was once again told that I had way to much experience for the job so they weren't going to offer it to me” He said with a sigh.
“Aw honey, that sucks.” She said and then kissed him again, “What are you going to do now?” She asked.
“I don't know. No one is hiring someone with the I.T. Qualifications I have. Everyone is looking to cut costs by hiring people with the minimum requirements to get the job done. Everyone is afraid I'll swoop in and leave after a while because of the pay cut I would be taking from my previous job.” He said in defeat.
“Well, I know how frustrated you are and I know you don't want to work in a women's clothing store but I could really use your help.” Vivian said while disentangling herself from his embrace.
Dan crossed his arms and said, “I know baby but it I just wouldn't fit in working here and I would just feel awkward the whole time.”
“I know Dan, it's just that business has been getting better and it's not showing signs of slowing down. If you worked here in the store with me I wouldn't have to hire someone from the outside. Even though Business has been good but I would loose most of those profits to the cost of hiring a new person.” She said in a placating tone.
“I know, I know. I could keep your Point-of-Sale system up and running and do the accounting for you.” Dan said in a hopeful tone.
“Dan, you've already tweaked the POS as much as you can and it is super reliable and we both know you don't have the patience to work with numbers so I really need you to help me out on the floor.” Vivian said in a tone that conveyed that her patience was wearing thin.
“OK, you win. I will help you. It's the least I can do since you've been working so hard supporting both of us. I just wish there was someway I could do it without the embarrassment.” He said in a resigned voice.
“Really honey?! Awesome! I already have an idea on how you can be the most help. If my idea works I'll drum up even more business so I can make it cost effective to hire another person AND make it so you won't feel so out of place here at the store!” She said while throwing herself at him and plastering his face with kisses.
“Heh, I'm glad I could make you so happy but how exactly will I be helping you where I wont feel so out of place?” He asked in an amused tone.
“I'm going to make you my visual merchandiser!” she said with a mischievous smile.
Dan laughed again and said, “OK, but how will that help me feeling out of place?”
“Oh, I have my ways!” She said while wiggling the fingers of one hand in his face.
“You're going to use your magic? Oh boy, what have I agreed to...?” He said with some trepidation as she led him out on the sales floor.