The Movies Make It Look Easy

Chapter 17

Rick was a nice guy in his early forties with brown hair, dotted with grey (the stress of working with three girls apparently) and pale blue eyes. He had faint lines printed around his eyes and mouth. He was more striking than good looking and he had a sweet smile, but he had a temper and there was nothing he hated more than his workers not showing up on time; though Jenny was a different matter for some reason. She constantly showed up late and every time, Rick got angry and threatened to fire her if she didn't get her act together, and every time she'd say sorry and promise not to do it again.

She sometimes even managed a couple of tears, which made me want to puke. She'd come in on time for the next couple of days before she started coming in late again and the cycle would start again. The chances of this being the time that Rick would actually fire her were slim to none...I suppose a girl can dream, I thought wistfully.

"Shannon, are you paying attention?"

I jumped, "yep" I smiled, but he just looked at me knowingly. "Anyway as I was saying, you and Becky are going to have to cover Jenny's tables until she finally shows up."

"Okay Boss" I said, saluting him cheekily before heading over to where Becky was getting someone's order ready.

"Hey! Boss tell you that we have to cover Queen Bitch's tables until she finally decides to land her broom?"

"Yep, let's just hope that said broom crashes on the way over."

Becky grinned, "You're preaching to the freaking choir, I wish for that every day like some girls wish for their Edward to come, Bella Swan style."

I laughed as she left to bring food to some customers. I loved Becky, we got on really well and she made work more bearable, especially when Jenny was around. She had hatred for anything Twilight and could rant for hours about how it "didn't send a good message to young girls that it's alright for older guys to watch you while you sleep." She was also tiny and cute but had a ferocious temper that made Rick look like a timid lamb. Thankfully, I'd never been on her bad side before but I'd seen her in action...it was downright scary.

I grabbed a notepad and pen and headed over to a young couple. I smiled brightly as I took their orders before heading back to the counter.

Becky and I chatted at first as we worked but talking soon became impossible as we rushed around trying to cover the extra tables. I could see her muttering angrily to herself from across the room. I stifled a laugh as I took orders. Rick was the least of Jenny's worries when she finally showed up.

Well speak of the ugly Devil herself, I thought nastily to myself a couple of hours later as I made my way to the coffee machine, passing Jenny as she sauntered in the door, looking like the cat that got the cream.

Bitch!

At least she'd changed out of Nick's shirt, I thought bitterly. I'd half thought she'd keep it on just to piss me off. She had a triumphant smirk on her average face. I felt like smacking it off.

My bad mood from earlier came back with a bang and it had gotten worse. My feelings I knew were mirrored in Becky (though not the bit about Nick), who was clearly trying not to punch Jenny; her fists kept clenching but Jenny kept sauntering, oblivious to the actual danger she was in from Becky - I tensed as she pushed past Becky to get her apron.

Rick came through the door from the storeroom. He stopped when he saw Jenny. "Jenny" he said in a low voice.

I flinched, if he'd started shouting it would've meant he wasn't too angry, it was when his voice had this tone that you knew you were in trouble. Jenny stopped, I think even she realised that she wasn't going to be able to just apologise and get away with it like she had every single other time.