Cindy started two days after the interview. Most of the sales stuff was easy to pick up as it was a pretty straight forward P.O.S system that the store used. It took a little bit to memorize the locations of different genera of books for re-stocking but it was nothing too serious. When Cindy wasn't sure, Spec and Jen were both more then willing to help her figure it out. Between sales and re-stocking, Spec would show Cindy the order invoices and sales numbers. Cindy was a quick learner. She was confident that she could have ordered new books and magazines on her own if she needed too.
“You got the hang of things quick” said Jen to Cindy who had just finished checking out a customer. “Thanks. It was a bit intimidating at first but got easier with practice”. “Just wait till college semesters start. This place is one of the few places that sells text books at reasonable prices. We get students out the wood works then” said Jen as she shuddered, remembering the rush and demand of students from last year right after summer ended. “The horror...”
The front door opened suddenly as a female wolf with gray silver fur and dark gray long hair walked in. She had an annoyed look on her face and wore a light blue choker that stood out against her rather casual outfit that consisted of a tee shirt and and jeans. A tag hung from the choker with a capital “L” engraved in the center of it. She placed a duffel on the counter and cracked her neck from side to said as she asked, “Where is he?” Jen, unphased, pointed to the back and said “Restocking mystery”. “Thank you” she said as she went to the back. Cindy watched and asked Jen, “What's going on?” Jen smiled and leaned forward to watch as she said, “Don't worry. Just enjoy the show”.
There is a moment of silence before the woman suddenly yelled “CHICKEN WING!” followed by Spec yelling “WHAT THE F” before getting cut off as a loud crash could be heard. Spec rolled into view from behind a book shelf as the woman had him in some sort of grapple hold with her arm around his neck. “TAP! TAP DAMN IT!” yelled the woman as they both tumbled back to the check out counter. In a panic, Cindy jumped the counter and grabbed the heaviest book she could find in the heat of the moment. She hit the woman dead center of her back causing her to let Spec go. “FUCK!” said the woman as she laid on the floor holding her back. Spec stood between the woman and Cindy with his hands up to stop the skunk from attacking again.
“It's okay!” yelled Spec as he coughed, trying to catch his breath. He eventually stood up and said, “Believe it or not, this crazy bitch is my sister, Luna”. Luna moaned as she stood up, cracking her back. “I get assaulted by a hardback but I'm the bitch?” She looked at and Cindy and gave a small grumble before extending her hand. “Hi, Luna. I'm...” She paused and looked at Spec before continuing. “Spec's 'older' twin sister”. “You are older by like 40 minutes Luna” snapped Spec. “Still older 'baby' brother”. The siblings growled at each other as Cindy stood there confused. “Wait. Spec, you are telling me you have a twin sister?” Luna looked at Cindy again smiling as she said, “Oh, has he not talked about me?” she asked as she nuzzled up to Spec trying to look cute and innocent. Spec groaned as he pushed Luna off of him. “No Luna, I didn't tell Cindy about you. She is a new hire. She started about a week ago”.
“Oh, Nice to properly meet you Cindy” she said as she extended her hand again, this time actually shaking Cindy's hand. “I do hope my brother has been treating you well”. “Yes, he is a good boss” said Cindy as Spec shook his head and went behind the check out counter. “So when did you get back sis? I assume Japan was fun”. “Very” said Luna as she opened up the duffel bag. “The photo shoot went smoothly and I brought back goodies”. She took out a box with a bipedal robot on it and several bags of snack. “A mech model for you, and an assortment of snacks for you and Jen. I would have gotten more but no one told me you had hired someone new”. Spec rolled his eyes as he gathered up the gifts. “Thanks sis. You two help yourself to the snacks when you want. Just remember to clip em if you open em” he said as he took everything back into the break room.
As Spec went to the back, Luna leaned on the check out counter. “You ladies think you can cover the store for a bit? I'm gonna try and convince Spec to take me out to lunch at that Chinese place”. “Garden Fountain? They do make a mean snow pea and mushroom stir fry” said Jen as she smacked her lips thinking about it. “Well if you two watch the store, I'll bring you back lunch. On me” said Spec as he had returned from the break room. “Here Cindy” said Spec as he reached over the counter and pulled out a take out menu. “Have a look and decide what you two would like and have Jen text me”. Cindy opened the menu and immediately said, “Ooh, beef curry”.
As the twins arrived at the restaurant, they were greeted by a teen red panda girl siting at the reception area. “Welcome to Garden Fountain... Oh, it's you. Did you call in your order? I didn't see any of your usual orders” she said as she looked at tied up bags in the waiting area with labels on em. Spec chuckled as he waved his hand. “Didn't call in this time. Me and my sister are eating in and placing an order to go for later”. “Ah, okay. Feel free to sit down anywhere. Its slow right now” she said as she gestured to the dining room area. “Thanks” said Luna as they sat at a two person table against the wall near the front.
Luna took a menu and looked it over after taking a seat. “You order here often enough they know your face?” she asked as Spec checked an alert on his phone. “You know I like this place. It has reasonable prices and the portions are good”. “Hi! Would you like anything to drink?” asked an older male red panda. “Water and a pot of oolong tea please” said Spec as he glanced over the menu. “I will also have a water” added Luna as she closed her menu. “I'm ready to order if you are Spec”. “Yeah. I will have the spicy eggplant and tofu with steamed rice please”. “Mapo tofu and steamed rice for me” said Luna. “Oh, and we would like an order of snow peas and mushrooms and a curry beef with two orders of rice to go please” added Spec. The waiter wrote down the order while repeating it out loud. “eggplant... tofu... snow pea... and curry beef. I'll be right back with your drinks” said the waiter before walking off.
Luna played with the hot chili oil, stirring it with the serving spoon while they waited for their drinks. They thanked the waiter when he returned with the water and pot of tea as Spec poured a cup for his sister and himself. When Spec took a drink of his water, Luna asked “So, you try to fuck Cindy yet?” Spec Chocked on his water as he swallowed wrong. He put his handover his mouth to try and cover his coughs as he caught his breath. “You waited for me to start drinking to ask me that, didn't you?” Luna just grin, implying that is exactly what she intended to do. Before Spec could say anything, the waiter had returned with a pot of rice for the two to share with their entrees. Luna thanked the waiter this time as Spec blew on his tea before taking a sip.
Luna waited for their entrees to arrive before pursing her question again. “So... You make a pass at her or what?” she asked as she sampled her tofu. “One, no. I have not made 'a pass' at Cindy. She is my employee and there are boundaries. Second. Even if I did, it's none of your damn business” he said before taking a spoon full of rice and eggplant into his mouth. “Yeah, okay” she said as she added some chili oil to her meal for some extra kick. “But you are gonna sit here and tell me you don't have any interest in that fine looking skunk? Especially with your little skunk fetish?” Spec grumbled as he ate more of his food before sipping more of his tea. “Cindy is a talented woman who is more then qualified to work at a book store. And more importantly, Jen likes working with her, which in turn keeps her off my back. “And how exactly did Cindy convince you to hire her? You practically had to get your teeth pulled just to hire Jen” asked Luna as she tested out the new spice level of her food. It was enough heat that she inhaled sharply and whispered, “Ooh, that's good”.
“It was Rigel actually” said Spec as he continued to eat his food. “Ooh, Rigel. How is he?” “He's doing well. His optimism is just as contagious as always”. “Man, nothing gets that guy down” said Luna as she sipped some tea. “He showed up to get his magazines and Jen mentioned that I was looking for help. I was put on the spot so I couldn't exactly say no to him. I had to at least give Cindy an interview”. Luna grinned as she knew she was backing him into a corner.
“Just cause you told Rigel you would give her an interview, that doesn't mean you had to hire her. You could have made any excuse to not hire her. Also, you never denied my statement that is fine looking”. Spec sighed as he put utensil down. “If I tell you the truth, will you get off my ass about it?” Maybe” she said with a grin as she leaned closer to him to hear his response. Spec sighed as he picked up his spoon again. “Yes. I think Cindy is smart and attractive. But that doesn't mean I'm going try and go out with her” he said. “You should bro” replied Luna before picking up her plate to scoop the last bit of rice and sauce up more easily. “You haven't had a serious girlfriend in forever. Besides, she clearly likes you too”.
Spec raised his eyebrow at that last statement. “What are you talking about?” “Come on bro. She took a book to my back. No sane person attacks someone they don't know who randomly attacks some one else like she did. Not unless she is crazy. Or she likes you” she said as she finished her tea. “Yeah, cause I'm going to I'm gonna take advice about sanity from someone who's stage character is a luchador named 'The Lunatic'. She doesn't like me” he said as he also picked up his plate to finish up his rice and sauce. “You'll see” she said with a smirk as she leaned back in her chair.
The waiter returned with the take out orders and the check. “Thank you for coming. We hope you come back soon”. Luna looked at the check then at her brother. “You got lunch, right?” Spec chuckled as he shook his head and took out his wallet. “Only cause you got me a mech model that hasn't come out over here yet”.
