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You're not sure if Nic picks up on your cue; she just blinks, turning quickly back to Vada.

"If you want, Vada, you can take a little break," Nic says, "and I'll keep helping your customer. Just take a few minutes to yourself, and come back when you're ready. Oh, and just remember you're a human, not a machine that knows everything. You don't have to be perfect and happy all the time, all right? No matter what the pledge says."

"All right," Vada replies, nodding determinedly. "Thanks, Nic. I hope you find what you need," she tells you with some of her former enthusiasm, before heading off. Once it's just the two of you, Nic lets her shoulders drop with another sigh.

"She really wants to do a good job, but she beats herself up too much. It's not worth it for kibble and squeaky toys."

She shakes her head again, eyes glazing over as she stares into the endless abyss of pet products.

"Anyway." She rolls her shoulders and seems to come back to the present. "How can I help you?"

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