Market Price

This is a role play log from out first grocery store role play evening.

Matt White comes in for his shift nodding to Eien on his way by "Hi Mrs. Chen"

Ushi Chen stares into Matt's head like she's drilling a hole with her eyes "Ms....never been married. Good for nothing..." she trails off and then barks "No more chit chat. Go fill the veggie cooler Matt!"

Eien Fumetsu  walks into the supermarket. He had decided to give it a try. Knowing Matt from earlier, Eien looks at the older woman. Must be Ms Chen by their conversation. he moves to her and speaks in his always present Japanese accent. "I am looking for proper vegetables for cooking." he announces, bowing to her in greeting.

Matt nods and goes out back and comes back out with a cart filled with various vegetables for restocking the vegetables stands ,  starts sorting through the vegetables , moving the older stuff to the front , removing any vegetables that appear to be suspect , then refilling the empty spaces behind with new product , checking the sprayers as well while he does so

Ushi  looks at the vegetable seeker like he's insane. She does not return the bow but says flatly "Did you see the produce cooler? We put vegetables in it...” her tone suggests she's speaking simply for him with some condescension.

Eien shakes his head and leaves the store with no purchases considered or made.

 Matt looks at Eien as he heads back out and shrugs , then returns back to his work . then glances up again as Dr Pierson enters in

Adam Pierson walks in, grabs a basket and fishes a piece of paper out of his jeans pocket and looks it over. He heads right for the beverage coolers by Matt, nodding as he walks past.

 Ushi  had watched the man with dreads leave with an eye roll. She hears the door open again but doesn't look up right away as she starts changing the till receipt tape. It jams and she smacks the machine "Come on you stupid piece of crap." she says loudly.

Wolfgang Pots swaggers in making a beeline for the post office with a large package in his arms.. he is whistling dixie as he waits at the counter.

Matt quietly says "hello" to the Doctor , then quickly glances at Ushi and then at Wolf whistling , then goes right back to the vegetables

Adam  looks at his list, looks at the beverage coolers and frowns. "Matt, do they have beer here? I'm looking for Guinness."

 Ushi snickers, overhearing the question and then forces the till tape in and looks down the aisle, seeing if Matt answers the doctor properly.

Wolfgang  puts the package on the counter and hands over the money .. 'yeah .. its going all the way to Atlanta ,.. for my favorite little lady ' he says chuckling. He looks around and nods at everyone.

Alison Chase leaves the fur coat in the car and marches into the grocery store, glancing around at all assembled, she recognises the woman from Saturday night ..... and oh .,. the bag boy is here as well. She sees Wolf as well and sniffs, haughtily beginning to walk around. For a moment she wonders if she should just ask ... then decides she SHOULD ask. Looking towards Matt, she clears her throat in that 'em, em' way one might associate with Delores Umbridge.

Matt  looks at Alison as she enters , then turns to the Doctor to answer his question "No sorry , we don't sell alcoholic products here , Doctor" then looks over towards Alison again and waits patiently to see if she has a question

Adam sighs and grabs some bottled water instead. He proceeds to move through the refrigerated cases after yogurt and a few other things.

Ushi looks annoyed at the whistling but then nods at Matt's answer. She sees movement at the other end of the store but can't make out who all the people are, probably no one she likes anyway.

Wolfgang  smiles as the person behind the counter take his package and he start to wander the aisle seeing if he need anything

Alison looks at Matt as he looks at her, yet does not move. She waits a moment to see if he will speak to her, watching the man getting things on his own. Finally she huffs and walks over to him, looking rather put about at the walking. "Hello ... Matt was it?" she looks around. "oh this is .... where you .... work?" she isn’t sure work is the right word, but.... "I have an order." she announces, like this is his department .. and for all she knows .. it is.

Matt looks around a moment to see if anyone is watching, then back at Alison , "The carts are outside. If you need help finding anything, I would be happy to show you where the items are located it, all you have to do is ask" indicating that he would not fill her order for her by his words only and turns back to the vegetable cart he has out, having just finished with the vegetables, returns with it to the back, then comes back out with a cart of canned goods to restock those shelves

Adam moves on to the packaged meats, but passes them over with a sigh. He doesn't have the room. He moves back over where the woman with the cough was standing, and makes a pleased noise at the packaged bakery. In Tupperware even. He selects two.

Ushi sees Matt come out with canned goods without being nagged. She raises a brow and gives a quiet little "Hmm." It could almost be mistaken for an impressed reaction. She watches the people round the ends of aisles and duck back in after with a somewhat blank expression.

Wolfgang starts grabbing stuff off the shelves and then grabs himself two baskets and place what he has so far in the basket .. he heads over to the meat section

Alison blinks. "The what?" she asks. And then he turns his back to her and LEAVES?? Again she blinks and when he returns she follows him. "Are you refusing to serve me, Matthew?" she reaches out to grab his arm and force his attention on her if allowed. "Who is your supervisor?" she demands, still grabbing at Matt if she was ever allowed the contact.

Matt looks at her hand grabbing his arm in disbelief then looks up at her , "Ms Chen over at the register is the supervisor on duty tonight" trying to yank his arm free as her grip is a little tight and he needed to get back to his job , not answering her first question as that really needed no answering

Adam moves into the aisle where Matt and the woman are, and frowns as she grabs the stock boy. He says in a cool tone, "Is there a problem here?"

Ushi hears the commotion and scowls. She knows that voice. Without hesitation she shouts across the store "Alison!"

Wolfgang laughs softly as he places his order "I’ll have a pound of livers, pork .. yeah my regular ' he say to the butcher . 'he chuckles . He receives it and walks toward the canned food section .. he leans slightly on the shelve 'Shiiitt., I thought I left the high class bitchy southern belles .. in the south . They got them here. in extra bitchy.. 'He states and just goes on shopping even take some of the can he needed

Alison tosses Matt’s shirt back at him as if it was dirty and he is immediately forgotten. She looks at the man speaking to her coolly. "That depends on if you are going to stay in my way or not." and, if allowed, will brush briskly past him, perhaps knocking shoulders with him. Then she hears Ushi and looks at her, shouting back. "Why isn't Lee working here instead of THIS idiot." she swings her hand to point at Matt and may or may not clip one or both of the men still in her orbit.

The sudden release as Matt is still trying to tug his arm free sends Matt stumbling back a few steps into the shelf, knocking some cans onto the floor, he grimaces thinking of them now being dented , but drops down onto his knees to pick them up and replace them back on the shelf , wondering what Alison's problem is , not even realizing he just missed getting sideswiped in the head.

Adam looks at Matt sympathetically, then steps obliquely out of Allison's way. He isn't above crowding her a little. He ducks when she swings, resisting the urge to grab that swinging arm. "Money doesn't fix manners..."

Ushi strides over to the produce area and picks up the sprayer hose for the leafy greens. She doesn't even beat around the bush "What do you want Alison?" She looks pointedly at her expensive looking cashmere sweater wondering how much she'd like it soaking wet. She darts a look at Matt checking he's not hurt and then looks at the doctor and makes a little hand motion for him to scooch in case she sprays and then holds up her hand indicating the whistling man should just stay back.

Wolfgang nods “Obviously  ...” He goes forward pick up some Lucky Charms “…stupid is as stupid does.. “He says, not disturbed by the psycho bitch’s antics “Jail cell didn do ya  good huh ?” he says ..

Alison barely registered Matt's fall and the spill. She 'ppffftttssss' at the other man. In her world money may not fix manners but it buys what is needed in lack thereof. But then she ignores him too and focuses on Ushi, who is holding a sprayer on her as if it were a pistol. She shrugs in her soft sweater. "I want a delivery and this ... clumsy oaf ... can't seem to figure out the basics of the idea. Where is Lee? He's always been our delivery boy." she looks at her almost innocently as Lee had been delivering groceries first to Alison’s family and then to she and her husband. She looks over at Wolf. "I was out in two hours. It's called bail, you little troll."

Matt finishes picking up the cans and hearing all the commotion going on , gets up takes several steps back away from Alison , not wanting to get any more involved than he already is.

Adam idly looks over the aisles near him, pretty much finished. He's wondering how the Chen matriarch will handle this uppity woman.

Ushi glares at Alison "Lee got another job. So now you're harassing all the other clerks? You like buying our food? Don't shove your way around here. Or you can buy somewhere else."

Wolfgang shrugs "pfftt" not really caring .. “sorta used to dealing with high class bitchy woman back in day of his stunt with debutantes .. “ he just goes about shopping .. like she wasn’t even there.

Alison gapes. "Of all the ....." she sounds surprised Lee got another job .. but considering his mother .... "You're refusing to do business with me?" she sounds absolutely flabbergasted, as if she’s never heard the like. Turning away MONEY? This little peasant woman?

Matt,  uncertain what to do about this situation , decides to return to his job if at all possible , but leaves the canned goods cart there for now , goes out back and brings out a crate of milk and starts to rotate the milk properly so that the newest is in the back , trying to ignore all the commotion going on

Adam scans the nearby aisles trying to see if there's anything he's forgetting, then remembers he wanted some fruit... but considering the situation, he'll get that another time. He heads toward the aisles without uppity women.

Ushi watches Matt go to the dairy and then looks back at Alison "We don't have to serve anyone who acts like you. We've got a whole town of customers. If you want help, be nice. Otherwise, Vancouver has lots of grocery stores." She does a small visual scan of the store, trying to be aware of where the other shoppers are now as well.

 Wolfgang just claps at Ushi for putting the snob in her place and slowly starts his way towards  the deli .

 Alison stares at Mrs Chen in utter disbelief. "I will then." she replies, almost pleasantly. On her way out, she grabs the cart with the cans on it and overturns it and then kicks or throws every basket by the door she entered. Wrestling with the door, she tries to wrench it open and storm away.

 Matt turns and groans at all the cans being scattered as he will now have to go pick them up then hears the sound of other items being thrown and turns at disbelief at seeing fruit splattered

"Definitely no fruit today." Adam mutters and heads toward the register.

Ushi watches Alison's path of destruction with the look of a bull barely held back from charging. She holds up the sprayer as Alison is near the door but then doesn't use it and throws it back at the produce. Exhaling hard she walks past Matt, stepping over cans and mess to check if anyone's at the till. She shoots a glance back at Matt that looks for the briefest moment, apologetic and says tiredly "You did OK kid." before heading up front.

Wolfgang mutters to Ms. Chen “word of advice madam .. hit her where it count.. in the pocketbook.. only place those kinda hussies feel pain .. "

Matt nods briefly at Ms Chen , then goes out back to get a mop and wet floor sign to start cleaning up the ruined fruit.

Adam walks up to the register and murmurs quietly to Mrs. Chen, "Send her a bill. I would."

Ushi had nodded at the whistling man as she heard his words. She  slides the doctor's items roughly across the scanner "Maybe you can check her head Doc. Something's gone a little lose. That'll be $43.20."

Adam nods as he pulls out his wallet and the cash. He leaves a tip as well. "She's gotta come in first, so..." He shrugs. "You have a better evening, Mrs. Chen."

Wolfgang carefully makes his way toward the back trying not to make a bigger mess and picks out what produce ain’t  mashed ..he places some peaches in a bag .. chuckles at the orchid name as he fills up on the them  “Shady lane.. “ he makes his way to the front to check

Matt turns to go out back to get towels and a bucket of water and notices he forgot to take the milk back with him so grabs that on his way by, then comes back out and wipes down the display as best as he can, he then heads out back again to get a waste bucket to throw the broken fruit into

Adam neatly bags his items and shifts them to one hand, waving as he walks out the door.

Ushi watches after the doctor, nods and mutters "MS! Why does everyone think I'm married? Do I look like I have a good for nothing man in my life?" She hears Matt scrubbing and says "Stupid bitch...."

Wolfgang chuckles “Dont take it personally I was taught when was knee height to a grasshopper to say madam .. to every lady .. don’t matter the age or state of marriage or lack thereof .”he says placing his baskets on the counter “Southern thang. “he says.

Paying more attention on his job than the talk up front , Matt doesn’t hear them except as background noise , comes back out with the waste bucket , finishes cleaning up the fruit stand , double checks the floor and wet floor sign , then takes everything else not needed out back , making two trips to do so.

Ushi reaches for the southern man's basket and sees two. Raising a brow she says "Maybe a cart next time eh?" She waits until he puts one up before trying to take any items to scan "Well I'm no Madame either. She's just a stupid rich cow."

Wolfgang chuckles “Nah.. I like carry two baskets” he shrugs “I agree.. bet her milk would churn out sour milk ..though”.

After finishing with carrying everything back , he then turns to the canned goods and cart , sighs , rights the cart , and starts picking up cans , starting with the ones that fell directly under where the cart landed , sets them aside as unusable now , and then sorts all the rest of the cans back to where they belonged , and goes back to restocking the rest of the canned goods

Ushi actually chuckles sardonically at the sour milk comment and then she deadpans "So you wanna pay?" looking down at his still held baskets.

Wolfgang sets the basket on the counter “Yeah.”

Matt  finishes the canned goods , then checks over the rest of the dry goods to see what else might be needing restocking then returns the cart out back and brings out what is needed

 Ushi starts swiping the Southern man's groceries across and then looking at the volume yells "Matt! Come bag please." She looks casually up at the customer "That's a lot of peaches."

Wolfgang laughs “Kinda grown a sweet spot for them.” he smiles and chuckles “Raised on them .. Probably have peach juice for blood.”he laughs

Matt looks up as he is called and immediately sets down the items he was working on , and walks up front , starts bagging the items , making sure that anything hot was kept away from anything that might melt , as well as keeping all the cold stuff together , and bagging the bakery items by themselves as well as any non food stuff to avoid contamination

Ushi looks at the customer like he has three heads and then shrugs "$71.85, how do you want to pay?" She takes note of Matt's work, all of it being exemplary, but gives him no more obvious signs of her approval.

Wolfgang smiles “Ya ok there matt?” he adds as he bags the groceries  and chuckles at her look not taking any offense “oh debit” he says handing her his debit card.

Matt looks at Wolf and nods "I am fine, thank you for asking. Will you need help with carrying any of this out?" to be polite even though he knows that Wolf probably can manage

Ushi swipes through the debit card and then pushes the machine to the customer. Matt offers help after the ordeal of the day and Ushi has to visibly fight a small grin while she waits for the transaction to go through.

Wolfgang smiles “Nah but thank ya kindly.” he smiles as he waits for his receipt.

Matt nods and then returns back to stocking, then cleaning up the aisles , helping wherever needed until his shift was over.

Ushi drops the receipt into a bag without asking if that's what the customer wants and then says "Alright here you go." She walks away from the till to the back room quietly, digesting all that's happened in the evening.

Wolfgang waves to Matt and smiles and grabs his bags chuckling softly fishing out a peach and eating it on the way out.

Hell in a Handbasket

This is a role play log from a night that started out pleasantly enough....he he he

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 slowly nurses his bottle of beer checking his watch and just  relaxing

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi orders a rocket beer and is listening to the music

Matt White: wanders in and looks around before taking a seat at the bar

Alison Chase comes through the back door sporting a full length snow white fur coat. She rolls her shoulders and looks at the people in the bar. She moves with purpose and complete confidence through the crowd to the front, where she checks the coat, telling the poor check girl what will happen to her if the loses or damages the coat. Then she returns to the bar, standing to one side and looking at the room, taking in every man and woman in the joint.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 pull the peanut bowl close to himself and grabs a handful of it .. throw one nut in the air and catching it his mouth.. he repeats this action over and over grabbing for more peanuts when his hand is empty of nuts

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi is a bit self conscious as she is "slumming it" in jeans and top. She looks around casually seeing if those that know her are reacting to her change of attire.

Matt White: asks for a soda as he is not too fond of alcoholic drinks , most are too bitter for him taste wise.

Alison Chase considers another moment, and decides to sit beside the youngish looking man at the bar. She sits on the stool, crosses her legs and smiles at the bartender, not yet ordering but pulling the bowl of nuts a bit closer to herself. Looking to her left, she smiles at the young man, friendly .. almost flirtatiously. She notes his order and arches a professionally plucked brow.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 watches the lady sit down and looks at her curiously.. like he should know her or maybe see her before .. he shrugs and looks around 'Heya Oshi.. 'he wolf whistle at her winking but smiles in a joking manner .. 'washer broke or something 'he say with his thick Georgia accent

Oshi Shikigami: Laundry? it's tomorrow. So ya'all gotta suffer till then! (oshi looks slightly mortified, yet happy to see someone notice her at all.

Matt White: still not knowing many people yet in town , just listens to the conversation , not noticing the raised eyebrow he was given by the lady beside him , taking a sip of his soda, then notices her smile , smiles back and says "Hi" feeling a little awkward at the same time

Alison Chase looks down at the other end of the bar at the American Southern accent. The voice sounds familiar, but she can't place it. Then he looks at the woman he wolf whistled at and arches her perfect eyebrow. Japanese. Figgers. Then she turns her attention back to the young man with the non-alcoholic drink. When he speaks to her, she smiles, cheerfully. "Hey there." she replies. "How are you?" she begins the small talk.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laughs softly "if this is torture chain me to the wall 'he jokes .. 'ya look good , sug.. he turns slightly at the women in white and looks puzzled swearing he should know her but shrugs and looks back at Oshi .. 'can i sit with ya 'he say in a friendly tone . he grabs his drink and the nut bowl

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi turns and looks a wolf, and seems fairly surprised. She flusters a bit. And then a smile crossses her lips. She looks again and says, Uh yeah, if you like. Fine with me. I what is hoped to be a neutral sort of statement. not anxious or rude.

Matt White: looks over at the lady beside him "I am doing well , still getting used to Cedar Point"

Alison Chase bats her emerald green eyes at the young man, letting them twinkle. She hears the other man speak and is still struggling to remember him, but not too hard. If he were important, she'd remember him. But that accent was grating. She looks at him, slightly surprised. "Oh, you're new in town!" she sounds happy still. "Where are you from? This is just the most ADOREABLE town." she smiles.

"I went to school here."

Jack Douglas comes in hauling bags upon bags of ice and looking a bit irritated about it. He shoves them on the bar and goes around the other side to start loading them to the freezer. Nodding to the patrons he says an politely toned "Evening."

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 chuckles and sits down beside Oshi 'can i buy ya a drink, how ya been 'he says in rapid session.

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi has her iPhone out. she is playing with it. She looks engrossed in what she is reading. (Although I doubt any can actually see what is on her screen). Oshi notes Wolfgang join her smiles politely and nods to him. Glad you came over. She looks at her phone, frowns and says, dam physics problem... It requires a lot of engineering background to do. But ultimately is it just a straightforward plumbing problem. She smiles and continues but I can do that later. She looks to him and says, My name is Oshi. And you are?...

Matt White: looks at the man hauling ice in , wondering if that was one of the two who were mentioned for him to talk to about the First People then turns back to the lady beside him "I am from New Brunswick" not giving the town he was from specifically "Here does seem very nice , yes"

Alison Chase sees the man come out from the back hauling bags and for a split second her demeanor cools ... then warms .. there and gone in an instant. She watches him out of the corner of her eye a moment, waiting on the young man to reply to her. He does and drags the conversation one more slow and painful step. "Oh that’s so nice." she almost simpers. Then she looks at Jack and smiles. "Hello, Jack. May I have a watermelon wine cooler, please?" she bats the emerald green eyes at him.

Jack Douglas finishes loading the freezer and wipes his cold hands on a bar towel. He hears his name and turns and then half smiles "Oh hi Alison. Sure..." He gives her a cautious look and nods to the man beside her "Need anything there pal?"

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 mocks a hurt look clutching his heart' yer kill me ' he laughs 'Im Wolf.. I’ve met ya before 'he laughs 'but since youre purdier then a bouquet of flowers.. I’ll  let it slide . can i get ya a drink?” he asks again, tapping his boot to the music

Oshi Shikigami: Wolf! Can't you tell, I was 'pulling your leg' man? I was just happy to be able to chat enough to know you better (Oshi smiles weekly and hope he doesn't think she had totally forgotten him. She perhaps erred at being too formal?

Matt White: looks down at his soda glass, now empty , and responds to Jack "Could I have another soda please."

Alison Chase smiles and cants her cute little head. "Thank you." she watches him go for it. She looks at the young man and wonders for a moment if he isn’t underage, all these sodas. She turns her attention back to Jack. "Looking good Jack." she compliments him. "Life treating you well?"

Jack Douglas goes the fridge and back, sliding a watermelon wine cooler to Alison. He chuckles at her compliment "Can't complain." He looks at the man's glass "What kinda pop were you drinking?" He would pause for the answer and then put his hand on the bar as he went by "Just gotta check a few others and I'll get em all.." He heads around, looking at drinks and tables and patrons and stops in front of the blonde man and the white haired woman "You two need refills?"

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 chuckles and reaches over to pat her back 'i knew you was just joshing me ' he winks 'how the heck ya been , hows life treating you . 'he glances over his shoulder at Alison looking at her funny .. it irked him that he couldn't remember .. her .. he turns back 'Jack 'he bellow "a drink for Oshi' what you want again 'he say to Oshi before .. turning to see Jack approach ''sorry , man 'he say as he has screamed in his face

Oshi Shikigami: "Bartender, This beer developed a very unfortunate leak. It all seems to have spilled out of the top! Please replace it? with a 'non-defective' one? (Oshi smiles, then returns her attention fully to her 'friend' Wolf. Oshi is a bit taken aback by the physical contact. But she does not wince. She smiles at him and says, good! I had hoped to chat with you. (the word "chant" seemed a pit parenthetical. But her demeanor seems to still be friendly.

Matt White: looks at his glass , "Ginger Ale if you please , thank you"

Alison Chase looks at the bottle he slides in her direction and takes it, caressing it in an absent-minded but highly suggestive manner before she lifts it up and drinks a quarter of it in a draught. She'll look at the pop drinker. "So what are you doing here in Cedar Point?" she wonders and then, when Jack returns she asks him, perfectly innocently. "Hows the family? Tams? Megan?"

Jack Douglas smiles at the blonde man "I've had worse buddy." He gives the white haired lady a cheeky look and nods "Yeah, they do that eh. Try not to tip the next one upside down too fast." He nodded to the man about the pop as he went to get both the beer and then pour the ginger ale from the fountain into a glass. With a grumble he opens a bag of ice and drops two cubes in with a pair of stainless steel bar tongs. He delivers the beer to the lady and then sets the pop down in front of the young man before answering Alison "Uh...alright....." He looks at her like he's a little confused by the question.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 chuckles at Oshi 'well i was hankering to talk with ya ... he laughs 'did you finally get settled somewhere alright 'he ask his friend 'he looks up at Jack 'must be a contagious thang .. my bottles empty .. can get another .. ohh 'he offers the empty bowl 'and more nuts.. you can’t every have too much nuts 'he chuckles at his double innuendo. he catches Alison 's petting of the bottle, gulps a bit but recovers and goes back at the conversation at hand'

Oshi Shikigami: "you don't by some miracle, remember the formula for the 'rare of flow for a cylinder, with a specific viscosity, at monomial room temperatures? Humm?" Assuming any sort of negative answer, she will laugh a good hearty laugh, and say I thought so! with an exaggerated smile, then sets her iPhone aside. And looks directly at wolf...

Matt White: He again thanks Jack for the soda while he debates how to respond to Alison's question . Should he tell her why he came to Cedar Point , or what he currently is doing in Cedar Point for work , he opts more safely for the later "I am working over at the grocery store."

Alison Chase nods at Jacks reply and drinks another quarter of her wine cooler. She catches the comment about nuts through the crowd, rolls her eyes and kills the wine cooler. "May I have another, Jack. Please." she simpers. "And maybe a GLASS this time?" her voice is still sweet. She turns to the young man. "Oh ..... I see ...." she seems to be calculating his yearly wage in her head. The job suggested to her he had no education and no money. But that didn’t mean he didn't have other positive qualities ... somewhere.

Jack Douglas goes to take the nut bowl with a small snicker and nods, heading for the beer fridge again. He pulls out a bottle and cracks it and then refills the nuts. Dropping them off he looks between the two patrons, observing bar life as any bartender tends to do. He gives the lady a half smile and shakes his head at Mr. Innuendo. He takes the empties and then swings back to gather Alison's empty bottle, and the empty pop glass from before and then pulls out a cooler, and a glass and sighs. He'll need ice if it's in a glass. Everything was about ice right now, god dammit. He plunks two cubes in and drops off the cooler, glancing between Alison and the young man as they converse.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at you 'umm..two to the second power 'he shrugs 'maybe .. i think 'he scratches his room 'i sort think that applies .. when i fix the machines in the cannery 'he say 'but i could be wrong ' he chuckles '' he grabs for the nut bowl plopping it on the table and grabs another handful 'watch this 'he repeats his action of tossing  'peanuts in the air ' and looks at Oshi smiling as he finish 'tada' he laugh and drinks his beer

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi reply with a snicker and looks to him and says, "That my friend, is the closest to an answer, that I have heard in a LONG time! Oshi waves to the bartender, and says, give this man a shot of whatever he likes! He earned it" and then looks back and has a genuine smile...

Matt White: looks at Jack , noticing that he does look a lot like what a member of the First People should , asks him "How much do you know of the local Semiamhoo?"

Alison Chase barely suppresses a sigh as the glass and the drink are delivered.... not properly mixed. She looks at the glass, but it seems ok, so she tips the bottle and pours the drink herself. When Jack is back in earshot. "Well, I mean ... Megan and I were so close. I was wondering how she's doing." she tells him, throwing out another baited line. Why must men be so SLOW on the uptake? "Is she working? Does she have a boyfriend? Is she HAPPY?" because of course ... if they are friends, Alison would want nothing but her friends happiness. She lifts the glass to her lips and downs half of it. She turns her head, assuming the young man was speaking to her. "The local ... what?"

Jack Douglas calls over to the white haired woman as she orders a shot for the nut man "Yeah just a sec..." He leans across the far bar and says to the guy "What'll it be then?" He walks back down the bar and answers the young man "Well you're looking at one kid. What are you some kind of archeologist? Most of my ancestors were wiped out by Smallpox but what do you wanna know?" He looks carefully at Alison "Meg doesn't talk much to you any more. I don't know what happened between you girls but....maybe you should be asking her....maybe time heals eh?"

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laugsh 'atta girl 'he patts Oshi 'but hard liquor and beer ain't the best of friends.. just get me other beer once this one magically disappears. " he chuckles

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi, looks for a second and then smiles. I understand. You have whatever is your preference. it is no problem. She slightly blushes a the miner social vexation. And files it away for further analysis...

Matt White: wonders why Alison if having grown up in this town is not familiar with the "First People" Semiamhoo that were here before the settlers from Europe took over , perhaps she never paid much attention to the history and folklore of the area. He himself , being from New Brunswick did not know much of them , but did try to look some info up in various libraries as he made his way across Canada of all the First People tribes that he could , even though he himself had no ancestry tying him to them. He was a bit taken aback by the response he got from Jack and just gives a generalized response he has used in the past so as not to cause more problems "I am just curious on the various tribes throughout Canada , I have an interest in history and am taking correspondence courses on them online"

Alison Chase pauses only a moment at the news she isn’t being talked about. "Well, it has been a long time." she excuses it. "Do you have her number? Maybe I could call her? Or maybe you know where she works. I could stop by and say hello." she smiles encouragingly. "Time heals. Exactly." which is why she needed to see and talk to Megan. Some things were simply unacceptable. She looks at the young man, the exact same question popping into her head that Jack actually asked. The man just got slightly more interesting ... as archaeologists made more money then bag boys or whatever he was at that supermarket. She listens to him and asks, flat out. "Correspondence courses? Why not college?" her thought in her voice that correspondence courses were lame and college would be much better for him.

Jack Douglas nodded and laughed to the nut man and his white haired friend or would be friend about keeping tabs on his beer. He studies the younger man and then smiles sheepishly "I'm just a dude who runs a bar. I never really got in touch with my "roots". Just trying to make it. There might be some stuff up at our museum when that crack pot opens the place up again. Or you could ask my Aunt Shirley. She did a whole degree on First Nations studies a long time back. She'd know some shit." He frowns a bit at Alison "Not everyone can throw money at a big school." He's stalling, answering out of order because he clearly doesn't want to share too much about Megan "Why don't I give her your info Alison? Then she can decide when a good time is. She went away for the weekend but she'll be around next week...."

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 chuckles and drops his voice 'yer cute when ya blush.  ' he chuckles 'a beer then ' he bellow to Jack 'uh hope that didn’t offend ya none ' he says then awkwardly changes his tone 'what you been up to Oshi'he say . he glances over to Alison furrow his brow . shaking his head 'oh damn .. 'he curses under his breath .. as his mind sorta pieces together the small slivers of where he might 'was i that drunk .. ' he mutter just enough for oshi to hear .he shakes his head 'not enough alcohol..in the world 'he mutters on .. but .. then shakes his head 'Naahhh ' he convinces himself and turns back to Oshi  and absent-mindedly gives her his trademark prince charming grin

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi looks a bit surprised by this. She says Um - Thank you, I guess. and chuckles. Then looks about noting who might also be listening? She smiles and says, pay them no mind. They will in all likelihood remember nothing of this at all tomorrow. And then makes a hand gesture to look like "beer goggles", then slowly smiles in his direction...

Matt White: turns to Alison "I have not been in one place long enough til now to do anything other than correspondence , but I plan on seeing what is nearby for colleges" then to Jack "I  heard your aunt is the Mayor ?" just now realizing this is who was mentioned at Sunday's brunch " I would not want to disturb her with personal matters that would seem trivial to her"

Alison Chase scoffs at the comment about throwing money around. Just because she did, she assumes. "They have things for the needy, don't they. Scholarships and grants and like that, eh?" she looks at the young pop drinker. "I'm sure you could get something like that. If being a grocery ... whatever you are ... doesn't pay you too much." she laughs heartily and downs her drink. "Oh ... that's a good idea Jack." she gets up and moves without stumbling back to the coat check and is back in about 30 seconds with a full length snow white mink coat. She fishes in the pocket and brings out an expensive looking wallet. "My card." she announces and slides it on the counter to Jack. It has her name and proclaims her to be an 'interior designer' with her phone number and an office address in West Vancouver. "Oh yes, stop that correspondence shit." she rolls her eyes.

Jack Douglas blinks slowly and looks at Alison. He takes the card and pockets it casually "You know Alison, his path is his deal." He shakes his head a bit and then chuckles at the young man "What's your name kid? My Aunt's not the pretentious type....she'd love to talk your ear off I'm sure." He darts a glance at Alison as if to suggest a comparison of pretension.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002: chuckles 'more like beer lobotomy 'he pulls a brain dead face . he chuckles 'straight outta One flew over the cuckoo nest or my Personal favorite Suckerpunch .. ; he say with winks 'gotta love that movie ' he laughs

Oshi Shikigami: Yeah, that was a great on... They don't make many like that any more either... So - it is good to find someone that has shall I say, 'halfa brain'? She chuckles, and continues. "You work at the cannery, huh? what do you do there?" Oshi looks genuinely interested for a response...

Matt White: is put off a little by Alison's comments but just shrugs and doesn't respond , turns to Jack "My name is Matt White , I am staying over at the B&B" then reaches in his pocket to get his wallet to pay for his orders , adding in an fairly reasonable tip as well , then returns his wallet to his pocket "Thank you for the soda , I should head back to get some rest." then to both "It was nice meeting you both"

Alison Chase 'ppffts' and is about to say something when he makes a non too subtle comment about her being pretentious. She straightens and you can almost see the blue blood in her veins begin to heat up. "Vodka. Straight up, Jack." she orders. So much for coolers. She looks at Matt. "Good to meet you, Matt. And if you need a sponsor, let me know ... I am sure we can ... work something out ...." she slides another card over to Matt.

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi seems to be enjoying the conversation. But seems annoyed with the constant 'buzzing' of her iPhone. She reluctantly pulls it out again, and reads for a moment. Oh dammit! she mumbles under her breath. This is just (air quotes) "super!" And she looks about, almost embarrassed. And she says, "Seems my younger cousin, yet again (her voice rises a bit) has run into another (air quotes) Life changing" "things" that I - alone seem needed to deal with!? Oshi looks chagrined.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laughs 'nah just half the bitchy attitude and sense of entitlement 'he shrugs 'a little goes a long way that 'he laughs 'yeah I’m the handyman slash i work the line when its slow . but i do odd jobs around the town 'he smiles . 'that happens .. not looking forward when Huni runs into that .. 'he winces '

Jack Douglas glances over at the nut man and the white hair. they seem to be chatting away so he'll check their drinks in a while. He smiles at Matt "I'm Jack. Have a good one man, and thanks." He eyes Alison as if sizing up her weight and alcohol ratio and then goes to get the vodka "Alright...."

Oshi Shikigami: Oshi pays whatever tab she has, and bows deeply to Wolfgang. She then picks up her stuff, smiles and makes a retreat.

Matt White: looks a little baffled by Alison's last comment but takes the card to be polite "Uh , Thanks , if I need help , I may be in touch" then to Jack "Thanks again" and gets up and heads out

Alison Chase smiles and twiddles her fingers at him in farewell, then looks back to the bar for her drinkie.

Jack Douglas puts the vodka down and watches Alison with mild concern "So, you doing OK?" His tone is almost parental as she had once been a childhood friend of his daughters.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 waves to Oshi as she bow and stand grabbing the bowl of nut and sits at the bar 'ill take a beer 'he say sitting away from the snotty lady .

Alison Chase downs the drink like she was dying of thirst. "I am wonderful, thank you." she pushes the glass back at him; a silent order for another. "A little lonely now, but I am so much better off alone. It was so awful for me with .... you know." she is getting the idea Jack may not have been up on the latest news so she may as well milk that cow.

Jack Douglas looks at Alison's glass and hesitates, pulling it across the bar and then holding up a finger to go get a beer for the man first. He takes his time "how you folks doin down here?" he says to the man and the other patrons. He grabs a beer and cracks it, passing it to the man "Mind like a sieve, what's your name again man?"

Alison Chase arches her brows, trying to still look sweet and darling but annoyed she’s been put on hold.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002'Wolf names wolf like the animal 'he laughs  . he takes a swag 'you ok 'he chuckles ' he points his head towards Alison 'mind me of some of the country club characters back at home 'he say in a hushed tone

Jack Douglas shrugs "Nothing I can’t handle..." he says back quietly. As he walks away he says at normal volume "This ain't my first rodeo." Nonetheless he cracks another beer fro himself and heads back after a long sip. He takes the vodka and pours a slightly smaller shot than last time before passing a new glass across and scooping up the empty.

Alison Chase doesn’t heart the comment from wolf lucky for HIM ... but she does get the NAME and it hits her. She nods to herself, unashamed. NOW she remembers him. when Jack finally returns, Alison downs it without noticing he’s poured less. "God that's good." she almost moans, looking at him from under lids either seductively lowered or lowered from inebriation ... she sure as hell doesn’t know which. "You ARE looking good, Jack." the bag boy didn't pan out but the night isn’t over YET.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laughs softly and just sorta talks with the lady in red exchanging town gossip and making small talk as he drinks .he almost chokes on his next sip .. and shakes his head at watching the black window go all predator on her next victim

Jack Douglas looks between Alison and her empty glass and laughs "And you're looking drunk. Did you drive here?"

Alison Chase looks at him, scandalized. "I beg your PARDON?" she isn’t slurring her words ... which means less than nothing. "Of course I drove here. I am not walking the hells off a five hundred dollar pair of boots just to get HERE!" she snorts.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 snickers softly but just continue chatting with the lady another regular as he sips his beer

Jack Douglas casually starts wiping the bar, looking down at Wolf for a second to try to draw Alison's gaze. If she happens to turn her head he jumps for the coat and tries to do a fast dig for keys in the pockets.

Alison Chase falls for it and by the time she looks back her coat is being molested. She doesn’t react fast enough to save her keys and screeches. "Give me those back!" she reaches for her shot glass and Matt's abandoned glass. "Give me my keys you cock sucking son of a bitch!" she brandishes both glasses as if the is going to throw them if he doesn’t give her what she wants.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002: like cock sucking is a bad thing ' he whisper and he shrug and turns away going on chatting with his friend at the bar

Jack Douglas yanks the whole coat back "You sure about that honey? I gotta a lot of red wine back here..." he runs his hands over the white fur."And if you cut me with glass, I'll bleed on it...."

Alison Chase hisses at him like a cat. "Fuck YOU old man!" and she throws both glasses at him, the left holding the shot glass and the right holding the soda glass. Apparently the cost of the coat is not a huge concern for her. She hops off the stool and stumbles. "Give me my fucking COAT you piece of trash!" and she begins to9 back towards the pool table. She will get her hands on some balls one way or another tonight.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 grabs for his friends phone 'shell call you back and why didn’t you call me back 'he say to the person on the other line 'snooty stuck up psycho bomb about to blow .. .. well call me back then ' did you need me to call the .. never mind.. ' he talks to the person on the phone 'no its alright . but seriously call me back ' he hands over the phone

Jack Douglas gets hit in the chest with the ginger ale glass. It clearly hurts because he doubles forward a bit. the shot glass hits the bar and shatters, shards going towards both Jack and Alison. Jack tries to dodge then but gets one embedded in his forearm deeply. The blood seeps out and slides down onto the coat as he threatened/predicted "For fuck's sakes!" He cries out in shock and pain. He really thought she was just threatening.

Alison Chase gets cut by a piece of shrapnel but doesn’t seem to notice. She reaches the pool table and grabs some balls. "Give." she throws a pool ball at him. "Me." another ball goes flying. "My." a third ball. "Coat!" and a fourth flies. Some bottles may get hit.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 grabs her phone again 'ill call you back ..  he tells the other person 'jack .. ' he looks at him pointing a the phone 'you ok .. should i .. "  .. can’t believe i screwed her . he say to mutter .. the other person still on the line ..

Jack Douglas holds the coat up as a shield and ducks down. The first ball hits the whiskey flying just over his head and shatters it, causing a waterfall of booze to pour down the shelves. "Fuck Wolf! Call the cops!" he yells, trying to lunge and dodge the second. He just moves in time when the third clocks him in the temple. Jack sees stars and then everything goes black as he falls with the coat, landing on top of it on the floor. ((giving myself and option to bring a cop if we go there. We can assume Jack is knocked out for a bit:))

Alison Chase is on a roll and blind rage. She keeps throwing pool balls a minute before she realizes he is down. "Come up you fucking COWARD!" and she heads for the wall and the poll cues .....

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 grabs his friend and pulls her down and hangs up . on his friend and dials 'he shields his friend 'umm yall boy might wanna come down here some snotty psycho bitch is drunk an madder then a hornets nest .and tearing shit up .

Jack Douglas lays on the floor out cold. The rise and fall of his back indicates he's still alive and breathing.

Alison Chase selects a pool cue and moves towards the bar. Most of the patrons are just sort of stunned. She moves behind the bar and notices Jack is out cold. "Fucker." she bends down and pulls her coat orr or out from under him and puts it on. Then, as if she were in her own parlor, she takes a bottle, opens it and drinks straight from it. "Got my coat back too, fucker." and she kicks him, holding the bottle in one hand and the pool cue in the other.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 shield his friend and exhales 'hey Alison you got your fucking coat now sit down 'he say to her

Ryan Yamada fast walks in and looks around. The room is dim but he sees a woman in white behind the bar and two patrons at the end where one seems to be shielding the other. He focuses in on the woman, walking around to her. As he sees her more clearly he mutters "God dammit." under his breath. Seeing Jack down on the floor as he rounds the corner he yells "Step out from behind the bar please."

Alison Chase now has the nights drinks coursing through her lithe body. She looks to Wolf and sneers. "Fuck you .. no .. never mind. been there done that AND forgot about it until just now." she takes another huge three swallow swig from the bottle of .. Ironically enough ... Jack; standing in her now thoroughly ruined fur coat as if it were still bright and shiny new. She sees Ryan and laughs. "And fuck you too ... oh no your probably as limp a dick as your little friend." she probably means her ex. She chugs from the bottle and drops it ... possibly on Jacks head or hand ... and takes the poll cue in both hands. "Bring it, Tiny Tim." she looks ready to swing.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laughs an mutter 'believe not enough alcohol to forget at fucking mistake .. just like the white trash trailer park chicks back in Georgia ..or a drunk southern belle ' he shrugs

Ryan Yamada pulls out his tazer and clicks it "Don't do this Alison. You can go sleep it off in the station...or you can deal with even more charges for assaulting yet another person."

Alison Chase actually pauses at the sight of the tazer. It looked potentially painful. It is only then she sees the blood on her arm and she drops the cue in shock. "He CUT me!" she sounds indignant and begins to cry. "I was only defending my property, Ryan. Honest. He stole my coat .. Look, he RUINED it!" she holds her arms out so he can see the damage.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 just watches and calls his friend back watching and commentating the exchange between the cop and the drunken woman 'he pipes up . 'he only was trying to prevent ya from drying like drunken raccoon that got in the moonshine .. 'he say to her and the cop

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002:. he mutter 'yeah that happen once . 'he say to the person on the other line

Ryan Yamada looks down at Jack, concerned and then at Alison's arms. He whips out his cuffs and tried to slap them on her. He's pretty quick and practiced at it and says "I'm inclined to take the word of the witness about the drunk driving and Jack...." He knows an ambulance is likely not far behind as when 911 is dialed they do send everything.

Alison Chase 's heat snaps in Wolf's direction like a snake ready to strike. Her tears and history ... its like they were never there. Possibly because they weren't. "I. AM. NOT. DRUNK!" she insists and straightens, rolling her shoulders and trying to look dignified. But before she can do much else, she is in handcuffs. "Ryan?!" she sounds disbelieving. "What the HELL are you doing?" she looks stunned at him. "You can't take me to jail?" she suddenly looks anxious. "Adum isnt on duty tonight, is he?"

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 just mutter on the phone explain the raccoon story 'well it got into some moonshine.. nah not my moonshine.. someone else.. that’s beside the point.. anyway got on a driving mower and mower down half of grandma bettty prized roses and stop short of grandma betty .. yeah . they’re hall her in i think.. 'he just looks up from and stands up and bring his friend up to once the cuff are on ..

Ryan Yamada tries to steer Alison to behind the bar but not near Jack and sit her down in a position that's not easy to get up from without the use of her hands. If this works, he'll move to Jack and check his pulse.

Alison Chase sits don uncomfortably and watches him check on Jack. "He's faking!" she accuses. "And what about MEEE!" she whines and holds out her cuffed arm where the blood has already clotted. "I need MEDICAL ASSISTANCE!" she demands.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 smirk and adds 'more like mental help" he chuckles.

Ryan Yamada: Ryan looks back and Alison and rolls his eyes, not even trying to hide it. He nods to the bar patron "I'm going to need to take a statement from you...don't run away." His hand back on Jack's neck he is about to count when Jack stirs.

Jack Douglas wakes horribly "That's going to be some motherfuckin goose egg...." he mutters.

Alison Chase hears wolf and screams "You son of a BITCH!" and tries to lunge at him, but falls down in a heap. she stares at Jack now. "I got my coat back, you fucker." she singsongs vey childishly. "Serves you right." and she glares up at Ryan. "Help me UP you uneducated little Chinaman!"

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laughs 'hes fucking Japanese you snooty .. racist  hussie '

Alison Chase rolls her eyes. "Same thing!" she insists. "And I am not a RACIST! I...." and she rolled over. "Married an IRISHMAN!"

Ryan Yamada looks pleased with Jack waking "Yeah sorry man. Just go slow." He looks up at the blonde guy with a grateful look and then down at Alison "Fuck, seriously?" He grabs for her arm roughly to pull her up "I'm taking you in. That Irishman's done a whole lot better."

Jack Douglas just holds his head and crawls towards the freezer for ice. He holds three cubes against his temple and mumbles "Crazy bitch."

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 laughs and smile at Ryan understanding 'aint the same you uneducated gold digger .. two different country .. what you do sleep wit your professor and teacher to pass school '

Alison Chase is unceremoniously hauled to her high heeled feet. "What are you talking about? Adum? He couldn't get a date without advance payment." she snorts and hears Jack and lunges for him as if her arm was NOT in Ryan's hand. But then she hears Wolf and can't move in two directions she simply cries. "You can't arrest ME! He ruined my PROPERTY!" she whines pretty good for not being three anymore.

Ryan Yamada: Ryan grips Alison firmly and holds on "I don't think so Bitchface. First of all, he doesn't live here anymore, second, he's stupidly happy with someone else. You can stew about that while you spend a night in a very small room with an extremely public bathroom." He starts to try to steer her out from behind the bar.

Wolfgang.Pots @hypergrid.org:8002 waves 'have fun in jail.. you shared a toilet with other room. no 5 star accommodations "

Jack Douglas's ice is almost melted, the water running down his face. He's too messed up to fight back on any of it and just sits against the freezer.

Alison Chase blinks and looks at him. "Who would be that DESPERATE?" she wonders aloud. Then she realizes she’s going to jail. "I want to call my FATHER! NOW!" as if Jack would gladly let her use the phone.

Fresh Stock

This is a role play log where Matt White is seeking employment at Chen's Grocer. I don't blog every role play but I think other folks might find this one an amusing read too. I play Ushi and Sirius plays Matt. We had fun with this:)

Matt White wanders into the store hoping to check on the status of his application "Hi , is the manager around?"

Ushi Chen looks the young man up and down as if sizing him up for a fight "I'm a manager. You got a problem?"

Matt takes a step back at the scrutiny "No , I submitted an application last Friday , and was just following up on it"

Ushi  looks even more annoyed and start ripping through a pile of paper under the till drawer "Friday huh? Nobody tells me....." She finds a small stack of applications and squints at him "You're not Lisa.....or Buttface......ah...stupid kids..." she tosses the prank one into the recycling "Matt?"

Matt, feeling a little more uncomfortable , gulps and says "Yes Ma'am"

Ushi  gets out a red pen and starts making notes right on the application. She circles a few things without explanation and puts a big red X beside two others as she asks distractedly "You speak anything besides English?"

"No ma'am , just English" since he only knows a few Abenaki words , and they are on the other side of the continent

Ushi  makes another red X and then says "You're kinda small. Can you lift stuff?" with no regard for how insulting that might be sounding.

Matt nods "Yes Ma'am "

Ushi  looks around "Have you worked in a grocery store before?" she turns the application over to the blank side, now making her own illegible notations.

Matt nods "I spent about a year doing so back in my hometown in New Brunswick after school"

Ushi  nods, thinking about this and then sharply barks "Walk around with me. Let's make sure you're not a moron."

Matt  nods and follows as instructed "Yes Ma'am"

Ushi  stops at the meat department "We clean with bleach. Tell me how much you should put in a bucket."

"One part bleach to 20 parts water?"

Ushi 's expression is a mixture of mildly impressed and disappointed he didn't fail. She beckons him to the dairy cooler. The first row of whole milk has the furthest date stocked in front and the closest to expiry behind it "What did my stock boy do wrong last night here?"

"First in should be first out , otherwise product gets wasted and the store loses money"

Ushi  looks at him like he's a puppy "Good Matt. Don't get cocky, there's more." her tone flattens as the sentence ends. She moves to the produce cooler.

Matt apologizes "Sorry Ma'am , I was only trying to properly explain what was wrong and why."

Ushi  smiles a bit, but it's kind of a scary smile. She scans the lettuce which all looks great and frowns, moving to the fruit "Pick me the perfect canteloupe."

Matt  looks over the melons , comparing their colour first of all , then picks up one , notices that it is still a little too hard , puts it back down and picks up another , turns it around looking it over and notices a soft spot at the bottom , sets it apart from the others , and picks up a third one that feels not too hard but not with any noticeable spots and hands it to her "I think this one is very good Ma'am""

Ushi gives Matt a steely look and takes the melon. She turns it and sniffs the bottom and then her expression softens "Edible. Let's go back to the front. I'm going to call one of your references while you wait and then I'll decide."

Matt  heads back to the front of the store , and moves over by the wall to stand and wait patiently , without leaning on the wall , giving her space to do as she needs to , in case customers or clerks need her for something while he waits.

Ushi  looks around and randomly picks one of the people on his list. Her side of the conversation goes like this "Hi, this is Ushi Chen. Matt White has you as a reference and wants to work in my store." She waits and then looks impatient "Yeah yeah yeah...that's fine. I only have a few questions. Did he steal, did he show up drunk or high and is he a pain in the ass?" She waits, laughing at the confusion of the person at the other end "You want to work with a pain in the ass? OK, whatever....I got what I need lady." She puts the phone back on the receiver without so much as a goodbye "Bit of a freak eh? So Matt, you still want the job?"

Matt looks uncomfortable again but knows he needs something to keep money coming in and knows he can handle the work , if not the comments "Yes Ma'am , if it pleases you"

Ushi  gives Matt a look as if to express there's not much in the world that pleases her at all but then nods "You'll do. I'll get you an apron. Wear a white shirt and black pants. You'll start on stock and train your way around if you don't screw it up." She slides the application back across the counter "Write your social insurance number on here so I can pay you. Can you start today at 4? Truck comes in at 3. You'll have lots to unpack."

Matt nods "Yes ma'am" comes over and writes his s.i. number down "I will be here a few minutes before 4 ma'am"

Ushi  takes the paper back "See you then Matt." It's not in any way a warm welcome but it's her way.

Culture Shock

The following is an excerpt from a role play where Eien Fumetsu is on his second day at his new job at Sakura Sushi. Because it’s a small business and employees need to be versatile in more than one area of the work, Stephanie Yamada is training Eien to close the till.

Stephanie Yamada was already behind the till before the chef's shift began. She was going through the cash out envelope from the night before and running the curled debit machine receipts through her thumb and her pointer finger to flatten them before piling them up again in neater stacks. She pulled out the calculator and began rechecking the totals with a look of intense focus. Her sleek black hair was wound into an interesting sort of figure 8. Her square glasses slid down her nose a bit as she leaned over the receipts. Stephanie had a slim build and wore a simple black v-neck t-shirt with a teal cotton circle skirt that came just above the knees over black leggings. Black ballet flats contained her small feet and the left one tapped on the floor softly as she worked.

Eien Fumetsu walked into Sakura Sushi in much higher spirits.  A second job under his belt and, he hoped, a third before another twenty-four hours had past.  His locs were secured in a dead simple head wrap, nothing wild sticking out.  So he was appropriate.  The hairnets never seemed to look right to him, but they were practical.  Just ugly and even he had moments of ego.  There was a woman at the register, and he guessed it was Stephanie Yamada.  "Konnichwa."  he greets her and moves past, setting his bag in the space provided for him.  "You are Yamada-san, yes?"  if she was a thief, she had a very impractical way of going about it.

Stephanie looked up and gave Eien a friendly smile " Konnichiwa Fumetsu-san. Yes I better be. No one else can read Garrett's scribbles. Just catching up on deposits. How was your first night?" She kept on task while chatting and bagged the receipts and cash and then moved onto the envelope from the lunch shift that had just past that day. 

Eien watched her work and was surprised both in her use of Japanese, which only the elders had used with him so far and her ability to work and talk, as he did.  A good work ethic and he approved, not that it mattered.  "The first night went very well, thank you."  he continued to use English to speak.  "I was a bit taken back with the shift being only four hours, but I have found other work to make up for missing hours."  he isn't really complaining, especially since he has found other jobs.  "Soon I will get used to Canadian ways."  he promises her.

Stephanie laughed "You would have gotten along well with my grandfather. Work hard...work harder...work some more...drink Sake. He used to say. The labour laws are different too here." She paused briefly to rapidly add up her next sets of receipts and then looked up again "So tonight you're going to learn some of this. I think Garrett gave you the basics of ringing things up and charging with cards on the machine. He probably didn't make you watch him close with all the deliveries I see though right? I'm not going to make you watch. I'm going to walk you through the steps as you do it. The more you do the close, the faster you remember how it goes. First thing today, we have a big tray order for the town hall meeting. Ready to cook for the mayor on your second day Eien? Gar should be here soon as well....and Mom with my kid - to hand off to my friend Anna to babysit tonight." She sticks a lengthy but immaculately written order sheet in a magnet clip by the prep area.

Eien laughed as well.  "But I do not drink sake.  My parents did not believe in drinking, so when they went to Osaka from Trinidad, they did not pick up the drinking.  I only drink very little."  he nods.  "In Japan I do not think they tell you how much you can work."  he agreed.  Then he watched her and nodded as she told him what he would be doing.  "I learn the best by doing, so I think you."  he takes in a deep breath.  "Hai!  I am ready for the mayor."  and he bows, honored to have been given a job for a very important person.  He looks a bit excited and eager for the responsibility.  "I will not fail."

Stephanie smiled and finished the deposit bag, sealing the top and then stuffing it in her purse. Just then Sakura Yamada came in herding a cherub faced young boy who was walking with a slight limp. He had Stephanie's eyes, hair colour and nose but a very European descended Winston Churchill-esque mouth, chin and jaw set. He wore black track pants, hightop runners and a yellow hoodie sporting a graphic of the Minecraft Enderdragon. Sakura looked like an older, slightly curvier and more glamorous version of Stephanie. Her grey hair was rolled back on both sides and pulled together at the nape of her neck with a sparkling butterfly clip. She wore a deep red blouse and a high waisted black and white herringbone checked skirt with a pair of simple black pumps. Stephanie scooted out from behind the till and hugged the child and then spoke with him quietly for a few minutes. He did not look enthusiastic about the conversation and made several faces of protest during it.

Sakura beamed at Eien and walked behind the counter speaking cheerfully in Japanese after a respectful bow "Welcome Fumetsu-san! I'm so glad to meet you after our emails and phone call. Garrett tells me you make a great Nabemono. I'm sorry I missed it. Hiro was having a tough night. Tonight is better. "

Eien watched Stephanie while she worked, learning. He looked towards the door when it opened and made a note of the child, who had to be this clumsy son.  He smiles slightly and bows deeply to the elder.  "Konnichwa, Yamada-sama.  It is an honor to met with you as well.  And I am flattered by the compliment to my cooking.  If you desire I can make you nabemono whenever you desire."  for him the employer is as close as he currently has to a family.  He does not look at the child, thinking it may be disrespectful.  "I am glad that he is doing better."

The door opened again and Garrett dashed in with a guilty expression "Sorry I'm late." He muttered as he passed his mother and exchanged a black hoodie for his chef's jacket. He wore his usual black cargo pants and khaki green cap for work and slip on casual checked shoes. He washed his hands quickly with his back to Sakura's momentary look of disapproval. She quickly replaced her smile as she turned back to Eien "City hall order tonight?" She said after glancing at the order up. “Mayor Douglas loves the Alaska Roll. Make that one extra nice, just a bit of cucumber for the crunch."

Garrett turned towards the serving area looking humble and as he walked forward, the door opened again and Anna Wright came in. Garrett froze like a deer in the headlights. Sakura inhaled audibly and shot a concerned look between Garrett and Anna.

Stephanie threw her arms in the air and swooped at Anna "You're a lifesaver. Thank you thank you thank you!"

Anna smiled awkwardly and hugged Stephanie and then looked down at the child "Hey Tristan. I hear you need to put your feet up. Wanna order some pizza and watch Minions?"

Tristan grinned and fist pumped the air "Yes!"

Anna laughed and then looked behind the counter like she was trying to be very careful about something "Hello Sakura." Her voice got noticeably quieter as she said "Hey Garrett." She quickly looked away and noticed Eien "Oh hi....." She trailed off in the overall tension of the moment.

Eien nods, listening to Sakura.  "Hai.  I will add a bit of the cucumber.  Thank you for the suggestion."  he bows and begins to do the order up for the Mayor.  He glances up at the sigh and when Anna speaks to him, he replies, although he doesn't stop in his work.  "Herro, Anna Wright-san."  he speaks the first word very slowly.  He and Anna knew each other very slightly but she had helped him to fine-tune that one very difficult English word.  As long as he didn't speak too quickly, he thought he might be alright.  He wasn't in a physical position to see any exchange between Anna and Garrett.  "You look very good today."  he complimented her.

Garrett grunted something back at Anna that vaguely sounded like "Hi." and then picked up a knife and started slicing into eel like he was committing a murder. Sakura finally exhaled and stepped away from the chef's table, leaving Eien to stand beside the carnage alone.

Stephanie looked her her mother and her mouth formed an O before she winced and then lifted Tristan's chin with the crook of her finger and looked him in the eyes "Anna is the boss. Don't be a pizza pig and mind your manners. Got that kiddo?"

Tristan struggled to pull away from the finger under his chin but his mother's hold was practised “Mom! OK...OK.....let go!"

Stephanie smiled, gave him a peck on the cheek and let go "And have fun. Use napkins not your shirt.....off you go."

Tristan hobbled as fast as his injured foot would let him and grabbed Anna by the hand "Come on boss lady! We're free!!! FREE!"

Anna looked thankful to be dragged out and yelled back "Bye!" to the whole group.

Sakura called after "No kiss for Grandma? Ah...he's too fast and she said the p word." Anna and Tristan were out the door before Sakura finished the sentence.

Stephanie tiptoed behind the counter and walked around to the side of Garrett furthest from Eien "Gare...I'm sorry. Is this the first time you've seen her since you guys broke up?"

The eel Garrett was massacring was now not even fit to be served. His eyes were watering fiercely and he shook his head "Yep. It's fine." He wiped his eyes with the back of his arm and looked at the eel, putting down the knife "Shit..." Stephanie leaned her head on his shoulder and wound her arm gently around his lower back.

Sakura put a stack of take out menus into the holder in front of the till and shook her head quietly.

Eien was about to protest the treatment of the eels when he figured out that there was something between Anna and Garrett.  A breakup, apparently.  He could sympathize, but he was still preparing the sushi, hie care delaying him only slightly.  So looking back to his work, he began to roll the sushi.  "Perhaps try it in miso soup.  If you offer clam, perhaps eel will also be a good option." he suggested, then straightened and surveyed the order he was preparing for the mayor.  "I will have it for my meal break."  if it was bad, only he would suffer, although he believed that Garrett should eat it, as he is the one that ruined the eel.  Such an emotional display over a woman.  Incredible.

Stephanie nodded at Eien "That's a good idea. Or we could batter it and do tempura too. Garrett, go take 5 OK? I'll prep for Eien."

Garrett nodded and stepped away from the prep table, washing his hands again and stepping towards the door. Before he was out it Stephanie called him "Hey, can you take the deposit?"

He nodded and came back to grab it from her. Sakura patted his shoulder as he passed her while she set tables.

Stephanie opened the cupboard and pulled out a hairnet "God I hate these..." she said as she carefully slid it over her head. She put on a chef's jacket that was slightly too big for her and washed her hands before coming to stand beside Eien "OK disclaimer, I can make all the standards but nothing fancy or off the board. I don't roll fast but they'll be neat and I hate touching the squid. How can I pitch in?"

Eien finished up the mayor's order, complete with presentation and boxing, although the box is not closed yet.  He set it aside and then turned in time to hear Stephanie complain about the hairnet.  "Yamada-san, you could perhaps wrap your hair, as I do mine. I do not know if you have seen my hair, but there is a lot of it.  My mother taught me to wrap my locs when I complained about a hairnet.  It is an African sort of style, if you are interested."  he suggests.  And then he glances at Sakura.  "Would you like to inspect the Mayors order,Yamada-sama?"

Sakura walked back behind the counter and marvelled at Eien's work with a hand over her heart "Perfection Fumetsu-san. Feeding our council well will help with better decision making."

Stephanie looked over Eien's wrap and nodded curiously with a quiet "Hmmm." She peered into the box "Nice job. Mom maybe he should go cook for those buffoons in the American debates then. I can't even watch the news."

Eien bowed deeply.  "Arigatou gozaimashita, Sakura-sama."  he thought her words were wise.  He cant's his head about the Americans and their election.  He hadn't found time to watch any television, so he was ignorant of politics in ANY country.  "I will close the box.  Will I also be delivering it?"  he asks as he closes the box, finishing the order.

Sakura shook her head "Nope, we need to unlock the doors. You cook. Steph text Garrett to come back and take it. It'll give him something else to think about." she walked away but muttered "Such a nice girl. Why'd he have to screw it up?" just loud enough for Steph and Eien to hear.

"Hai, Sakura-sama." he awaits his first order and glances at Stephanie when her mother speaks.  He isn't sure what ... if anything to say, so he goes with hat he knows ... the Japanese way and pretends he didn't hear a word, although Stephanie may know otherwise.

Garrett came back and took the City Hall delivery with quiet indignation. The rest of the night he worked steadily but didn't make conversation beyond what was necessary to work with Eien and the others. Sakura seated people, made the rounds with green tea and rang most of the customers through. Stephanie waited tables and doubled as a back up prep cook when Garrett went out on deliveries. The night was busy enough not to focus on the early tension and drama. At some point a tall man came in in a Cedar Point Police uniform. He looked like a younger but male version of Stephanie and introduced himself to Eien as Ryan Yamada with less Japanese custom than even Garrett displayed. His manner was nonetheless very friendly as he reached across to offer to shake Eien's hand and thank him jovially for preparing his take out order that he was picking up for the station. He hugged his Mom and sister before he left and managed to joke Garrett into a genuine smile before slapping him on the back and heading back to work. Both Stephanie and Sakura looked grateful afterwards. As the customers dwindled and eventually filed out and the clean up was half way to being completed, Stephanie tapped Eien on the arm and said matter of factly "I'm stealing you now for the till. Garrett and Mom can wrap this stuff up." She unlocked the till drawer and stood waiting for Eien to join her.

Eien loved the sushi shop, an he buried himself in his work.  When yet another Yamada came in and even offered to shake hands, Eien did so with little hesitation.  He had to keep reminding himself that these Japanese were Canadian.  This Ryan seemed to cheer everyone up, which was a good thing.  Tension was not meant to be felt.  During the nightly cleanup, Stephanie tapped on his arm and he nodded, going to join her after carefully finished the cleaning of his area, then carefully and thoroughly washing his hands.

Stephanie folded her arms to prevent the urge to habitually reach out and start the cashout herself. She started from the absolute beginning "Pick a pen and grab the calculator. On the second shelf below the till in this cupboard are sheets to fill in for counting the float. Start at the nickels and fill it all in. Yes there are pennies in the till but we don't use them in Canada anymore. If you pay by cards you might not have noticed that."

Eien sands and listens, then grabs a pen and the calculator.  He looks into the till and considers.  The bills are easy, but after a few seconds, he has to look at her, ashamed.  "Forgive me, Yamada-san. I am not yet familiar with Canadian money.  Only the bills so far."  he bows in apology.

Stephanie looks sympathetic and uncrosses her arms. She picks up each coin and kindly explains them "Nickel-5 cents, dime-10 cents, quarter-25 cents, loonie-one dollar, toonie-two dollars."

Eien nods at each option, committing them to his quick memory.  "Arigatou gozaimashita, Yamada-san.  I will remember this immediately."  he promises, and then gets back to work on the sheet.  Very soon it is complete.  Doing it as soon as she told him helped him as he sorted through the coins.

Stephanie smiles “No problem. The float should be as close to 150.00 as you can get at the start of each shift. After that we'll run the sales reports and close off the debit machine."

Eien followed her as best he could, nodding and bowing often.  "Is this all there is to it?"  he wonders, his voice deep, yet soft.

Stephanie nodded, her eyes drifting sideways for a moment at the sound of his voice. Inhaling she gestured at the computer "Reports, two to print and one backup. Click quit, reports, sales by group item, detailed items and then print. Got it?"

Eien nods, listening carefully.  "Hai, I think I do."  he replies.  "It is very simple.  I was never allowed to do this in the restaurant I worked in in Osaka, so it is all new to me."

Stephanie smiled "Good. The more of us that can close, the better. Next report is called Bank Reconciliation. You can cross check it with the Debit machine and make sure they match. Click to print that and then move to the machine. When you get faster you can multi task and count while printing reports. the cash out only takes about 10 minutes once you've got it down. Out of curiosity, why didn't they teach you this kind of stuff in Osaka? Did they have a huge staff?"

Eien nods and works on the task.  Once it is done, he nods to himself and then looks at Stephanie.  "The owner was very ..."  he pauses a moment.  "Japanese.  So he did not trust me because I am a gaijin.  Not Japanese.  That is just how it works.  I lived in Japan from the age of seven, but I will always be gaijin."

Stephanie made a face "Ugh, racist much? That's not cool. People are a mix of so many things here....we don't judge based on your skin. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I mean I have a kid who's half white....." She shook her head and then pointed at the debit machine "Press the second button down and then choose "Batch close. Then just keep saying yes to all the questions until it processes it."

Eien shrugs slightly.  "It is their way.  I respect it.  Other than that, my employer was very good to me."  he nods.  "I am not hafu.  They get worse treatment than gaijun many times.  My parents were also gaijun, but my father earned much respect working with the Japanese.  He insisted I learn the language and now I even think in Japanese."  he chuckles softly.  "So when people hear me speak they are confused.  I do not sound like I am from Trinidad."

Stephanie looks thoughtful "I wasn't meaning to come across so harsh. It's just we've fought so long against racism in Canada. My grandfather was in an internment camp...so many Japanese were from here...and all over. It's been instilled in me to question it, fight it at every instance......it's not gone...but we're working on it." She falls silent and just watches Eien work.

Eien nods and smiles, softly.  "My mother would get so angry because black gaijin are treated worse she says.  But I do not see reason to be upset.  Maybe it is because, when I speak Japanese so well, they begin to understand I have been here a long time."  he shrugs.  "Maybe you can teach me when I should be angry, but it is not easy.  In many ways I am a Japanese man, my mother tells me.  So my emotions in public are ...  I don't know how to say .. it is not my private face."

Stephanie nodded and then held up a hand "I can't and won't tell you what or how to feel about this Eien. It sounds like you've been through way more discrimination that I can even imagine. I grew up in Canada where in this era, my rights and my cultural identity are protected by law. Sure clueless people still make a few stupid comments and stereotypes sometimes but if it goes beyond that I can get help. Cedar Point is an amazing place to live that way too. We've got so many cultures of origin and they've blended so many times over. Are your parents still in Japan?"

Eien offered her a small smile.  "Maybe it is that I take the treatment and just ...  what do they say ... sit with the punches.  Or because I have dealt with it all of my life.  But I like it here in Cedar Point.  There are kind people here .. but very .. emotional."  that part confuses him, especially among the Japanese.  "I will adjust."  those three words are becoming his personal mantra.  "My father died a little over a year ago, and my mother went back to Trinidad."  he tells her.  "Then this job became available and I took the opportunity to travel.  I have made a good choice, I think.  It is an honor to work for your family."

Stephanie smiled kindly "We are honoured to have you here Eien. I'm very sorry about your father. Garrett is a mess right now. He's not normally like this. He's been in love with Anna since we were kids. She just went through some crazy crap in the fall and she just can't open up to being with someone so she ended it when he said the L word. He's normally pretty happy go lucky. Never a hard worker but always fun and a good sport." She gestured at the debit machine "Now that it's printed you need to match the totals in each section from the receipts...Debit, Visa, Mastercard et cetera. By the way we don't take Amex. They charge stupid rates per transaction. Pile your receipts and add them up. It helps to smooth them sometimes."

Eien nods as he smiles.  "So that is it.  In Japan men do not say .. the L word.  My father told me Trini men do not either, but my mother always called him a liar."  he chuckled to himself.  "So I am doomed.  I only show my feelings through action."  he can rethink his opinion of Ryan a bit more now.  Moving on, he does as she bids. Without looking at her, he adds.  "Like attention or gifts.  The words are hard.  Like I would tell you that you are pretty even in a hair net."  he finished the words and that part of the job at the same time.

Stephanie was opening the cupboard to reach for the envelopes and stopped suddenly, her cheeks flushing slightly. She laughed nervously "Thanks. I'll bet you say that to all the girls.." she joked to cover her reaction. Pulling an envelope out she stood up, looking back to business "OK, all the paperwork and cash goes in one of these. And then I'll show you where that goes, you shut down the computer and that's it."

Eien missed the blush, but replies honestly.  "No.  If you looked terrible in the hair net, I would probably say nothing."  he moves forward a bit and reaches for the envelope.  "Alright." he says, going through the evening in his head, carefully, to remember it.

Stephanie pursed her lips and nodded "Fair enough. Alright follow me. The safe hidden is in the cooler." She starts walking to the back and opens the door, propping it with her foot while she waits for him to catch up. Whenever he does she starts shifting some boxes that surround a small safe on a low shelf. There's no combination just a simple knob to turn and open. It's a very slack set up but concealed enough to do the trick.

Eien follows her and watches her move the boxes and open the safe.  He looks as she place it in the safe, kneeling down to see better.  "It is very simple and elegant."  he murmurs, turning his head to look at her .. look up if she is still standing.

Stephanie made eye contact with Eien and then laughed "Actually it's kind of lame. Dad got it at a garage sale but it does the trick. We used to keep them under the till drawer but we got robbed one night and this was his solution." She stood up and self consciously smoothed her skirt "OK the computer....almost done. You're doing great."

Eien smiles and nods.  "A wise solution." he stands as well and takes in a deep breath.  "The computer!"  he allows a little silliness to escape, sounding slightly like a overblown fictional ... Batman or someone.  "Thank you Yamada-san.  I am a quick learner."  the use of her family name reminds him that he doesn't yet know her well enough to call her by her first name.  And of his position in this family business.

Stephanie's reply betrays both the catching of his silly joke and being the middle sister between two nerdy brothers "To the sushi cave!" She dramatically glides back to the till and then chuckles before saying seriously "Click the quit button to close the POS program. It will ask you if you're sure, if you've run your reports, you are sure. Then just shut it down like any computer. The float drawer stays in but the drawer key, goes in a red basket in the cupboard, under out business cards. We'll make you an alarm code next week too if you can still stand us all." the last part is said in jest.

Eien chuckles as h follows her and he closes the program, then shuts the computer down. He nods to the other information, but misses the joke.  "Alarm code?  But I like all of you."  he bites his lip, realizing he is missing SOMETHING but not sure entirely what.  More things to adjust to.

Stephanie snickers "I'm joking with you Eien. We'll run through this again tomorrow night but I won't prompt you unless you need a reminder on something. You're free to head home now. Thanks for all the hard work today."

Eien smiles brightly and nods.  "I see.  I will have to work on that as well.  Thank you for teaching me, Yamada-san.  Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu."  he bows deeply and turns for the door, then turns back with a sigh.  "That was too formal, wasn't it?"  he makes a frustrated noise.  "I .... do not know how to treat you.  It is SO not Japan here, but I ... your brother said I would learn how to relax, but I have no one to teach me that."  it is a rare rant from him, perhaps a minor explosion because of the culture shock.

Stephanie returns the smile and bows back, saying in Japanese "Be who you are, not who anyone else tells you to be. It will all work out. Goodnight Fumetsu-san. Sleep well when you do." Garrett and Sakura also say their good nights as the three Yamadas all start pulling on light jackets and sweaters to leave as well.

Eien is still trying to remember which Yamadas speak Japanese and which ones don't.  He bows to them all, grabs his bag and leaves into the night for the B&B.