Characters: Teagan Mitchell, Ji Shi, and Cal Ryan Setting: Axis City Books Content: 100% safe. Summary: Introduction piece. A meeting of the short folk.
It was outrageous that they'd asked her to stay on until August. What was the point of that? A preemptive lay-off. Teagan suspected that they were hoping she'd panic and quit before she was laid off proper, so that they could shirk her on unemployment. She wasn't entirely certain that was how it worked, but she had her suspicions. They had no good reason to fire her, but it wasn't surprising that if a certain number of staff had to be "let go" do to budget cuts, she was going to be on the short list asked to go home. Her shift manager didn't like her, the store manager was indifferent towards her, and both of those feelings were quite mutual.
Still, she wasn't about to quit. Teagan was made of sterner stuff than that. Her work ethic was slipping considerably, however, knowing that there was a time limit to her job that was quickly running out. She didn't try so hard while at work, and spent most of her time just browsing when she should have been re-stocking or doing something productive. If anyone else was on the floor, she avoided the till like the plague, letting them have the brunt of the counter work. That way, Teagan could just talk with customers she wanted to talk to, and avoid the masses.
She could also get a better view of everyone coming in and out from her sanctuary between the bookcases, before people spotted her. This gave her the advantage of slipping back into the overstock room or the employee bathroom if someone came in who looked like trouble. It didn't happen often, but it was a comfort, nonetheless. Sterner stuff, indeed.