Chapter 2

Without a second thought, the bad-tempered customer threw her beverage to the cashier; however, it landed on the wrong person it was intended for. Everything happened so fast. No one in this pizza chain restaurant, King’s Corner, has one of those days with a particular pair of workers, and for this specific set of circumstances, this event has escalated. Alfred Bartley, the intended target, was prepping for the blow, but before he could flinch and close his eyes, he saw a flash of bright ginger through his peripheral view.

With nimble reflexes, Eileen shoved Alfred to the ground before he was about to be drenched in cold diet soda. Alfred was stunned that Eileen did that, and he knew that things would magnify even more.

Brewing like a teapot ready to explode, Eileen ought to see how this situation escalated before she makes another decision. The crone wasn’t listening to reason, and Eileen had enough of dealing with these entitled customers who demanded that they bow their way. Clenching her teeth and withholding with every fiber of her body not to punch the shrew lady, Eileen let out a long sigh while leaning over on the counter to grab some napkins to wipe off the soda from her face. You can feel the tension in the air and how unpredictable the next move will be for Eileen. If you knew Eileen Smith, you knew it’s best not to make her angry. She has a record of blowing a fuse quickly. With quick reflexes, Alfred got up from the floor and left immediately in search of the manager. He does not want the situation to worsen even more than it has to.

“Let me get this straight: our most valued customer worldwide. Is that you want us to respond to you, correct?” Eileen infuriatingly collects the soaked napkins and throws them into the trash can. She stopped the lady to respond by gesturing a hand signal not to say anything more. The customer scoffs at the gesture. Eileen nicely slides both of her hands on the counter.

“You arrived at our pizza place asking for your pizzas as a normal customer should. Damn, you arrive at our establishment ten minutes before we are closing. You insisted on us making you ten pizzas, granted their specialty toppings. While my dear friend Alfred was telling you that we have already placed the ingredients away, cleaned the ovens, and even started to mop.” Eileen placed both hands together, closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and gestured as though it was a prayer to any deity as to why they made her life even more unbearable.

“The brat was denying service to me! How dare he if I drove an hour from my house to get here. I am a loyal customer of this establishment, and how dare YOU! You should be ashamed of yourselves for denying my right to get what I want.” The middle-aged lady crossed her arms, huffing and puffing everywhere. She leaned in closer to Eileen’s face. It made Eileen even more agitated, for she was not keeping in mind personal boundaries, which Eileen is very adamant on her space. If you don’t want Eileen to get even more upset, you should respect her boundaries and not insult her.

“Sir Alfred here politely told you we can’t make those pizzas for you because we were getting ready to close. He told you it would take us longer to get everything out for you than if you had come here earlier. For Pete’s sake, you could have even called before! Did you even think of that?! If you knew it took you so long to get here, why did you leave everything at the end? You were wrong to use your disgusting drink and splash everything on whoever you wanted. That was so over the top, ma’am. You know what? You just got nothing better to do, so you make everyone else around you miserable.” Eileen tried to be the better person there and attempted to walk away. She was ready to end this spectacle.

As Eileen was about to move away from her, the lady had a flushed face of embarrassment. The customer knew Eileen was right but didn’t want to admit it. Instead, she focused on the insult Eileen last commented and decided to spit at her face; that was the last straw holding her rationality down.

“That’s it!” Eileen slammed her hands on the counter, preparing to attack the lady.

Alfred and the manager, Mr. Johnson, arrived just in time to stop Eileen from doing any further damage. Mr. Johnson grabbed Eileen by the arms before she had the chance to launch at the lady.

“What the hell are you doing, Eileen?! Alfred briefed me on everything, but I am disappointed in you.” The manager told Eileen in disbelief while he let go of Eileen. Eileen looks up to her manager and sees his brown eyes with fury. She can even tell that through his dark skin, he was flaming red from his face. Eileen was about ready to be done with this place.

“I am done with this place, Mr. Johnson! I am disgusted by the customers who think they are better than us. They used to be tolerable, but now I have to smile off at the ridiculous orders they ask of us and their temperaments. The workers are so full of it, with their vanity oozing off of them and belittling Alfred and me because we are the “newbies” and “have the newbies get all the work.” I am sorry for ratting them out, but they give us all the dirty work while doing nothing. Either the others are on their phones, or they mess around in the bathroom. Alfred and I have always been on time to work, while they do not. You came after me being late once, ONCE, while the others have been doing it all the time! Where’s the fairness? We have been working here for two years! I can’t stand everyone making fun of us, and you don’t listen to us and try to make this place better. Well, not anymore! I quit!” Eileen slammed her hat on the ground and stormed to the door. The manager tried to get Eileen’s attention while Alfred gently placed his hat on the counter, and he softly told him that he quit, too. He hurried away to catch up to Eileen.

“Do I still get my pizzas?” The lady asks the manager. He growls at her.

Alfred and Eileen were walking through the city to get home. Eileen was still mumbling to herself with weighted stomps, her hands in her pocket. While Alfred was lightheartedly whistling, he stared at Eileen’s orange hair being sticky with the splash of soda she had. She looked like a mess with her stained red and black uniform, but Eileen couldn’t care less. She was in her world thinking of other things.