Gregory burst through the giant glass doors to "Taco Dave's" and was delighted to see they were completely empty. Had he not known any better he would've thought they were closed. He quietly tried to shift his way to the back of the kitchen where the smell of cigarette smoke suddenly filled his nose.
As he slid on his apron a loud bang from the back door being slammed open startled him so much he almost yelled. Laughter filled the room as Dave, the owner of the taco shop, and some new guy walked in slapping each other's shoulders because for some reason that got the point across that whatever was said earlier was hilarious.
"Dave man I-I'm sorry I'm late I swear I didn't see that the time had gotten so late I-"
"Whew....oh god I need a moment to ease my stomach....CHIMNEY!"
The sudden outburst caused the two men to erupt into laughter again leaving Gregory in the most confusing situation anyone could ever be in. He was conflicted on weather he should just ignore the pair and get to work or just join in to ease his own mind. The two just kept blurting out random words with no correlation at all so going with the ladder seemed to be the perfect and only reasonable choice. Gregory gathered some cooking utensils and some cleaning supplies for the grills and got to work. For 2 more hours the men chatted amongst themselves often giving Gregory a misleading side glance. He would think just maybe they'd been wanting him to join in on the conversation and he would even walk over to them but they'd just step away and continue giggling like little girls. Gregory didn't mean to be so frustrated with the two but they weren't even doing much work. Besides laughing and talking the two just walked around and would randomly say something that brought on more annoying laughter. To add fuel to the fire was the fact that the day was really slow and there weren't many customers besides the occasional passerby looking into the place or homeless person asking for food to which Gregory always gave something.
Around 4 p.m Gregory had reached a point of miserable I'm sure no human could begin to imagine. Dave and the new guy had spent the entire day laughing about nonsense and he still hadn't even been introduced to the guy. He had a long well groomed beard and slick down hair so Gregory safely assumed the guy was some sort of professional. The thought that maybe Dave was about to replace him crossed his mind but quickly was suppressed due to the trauma that would come from him being fired. He'd lose the little bit he has, his house, and in a weird way he was more worried he'd lose Emerly.
"Greg.....GREG," Dave called out trying to get gregory out of another trance.
"Mm....mhm sorry."
"Greg I'd like you to meet Hammond Goodloe, Hammond this is Gregory."
"Nice to meet you gregory," Hammond reached his hand out.
"Nice to meet you too Hammond," Gregory was almost hesitant to shake his hand but reluctantly did so while etching the fakest smile he could across his face.
"Greg, Hammond here is an old friend of mine and he's needing a new job to take care of some things while he's living in the city so-"
"-Oh of course sir I mean I've never trained anyone before but I can sure try too."
There was a confused and slightly worried look exchanged between the two men and then back to Gregory.
"Y-yeah uh Greg go ahead and clean up here tomorrow we will be busy we got that party coming in don't forget so be early if you can."
"Wait is-is there something wrong sir?"
"No no everything's fine I'll see you tomorrow."
"Oh, well okay have a good night Sir and you too Hammond."
"You as well gregory," Hammond called back.
Leaving work and heading home Gregory's head was clouded with questions that seemingly had no answer. Who was Hammond? Was he going to be replaced? And if so what would happen to him afterwards? Dismissing the intrusive thoughts gregory decided to focus more on the fact that he was about to experience the best part of his night again. Sleep! Getting to lay in bed and become a puddle of mush in a fortress of pillows and covers that you never want to wake from. In the distance gregory finally could see "The Inn and Out" in its full glory with its half lit sign, moss covered brick exterior, and it's glum coloring. To an outsider the building was repulsive and almost haunting looking because of the way the entire building and somehow even the bricks had lost their color, but to gregory and to many of its inhabitants it was home.
Pushing his way past the giant doors Gregory was immediately greeted by the all to familiar smell of old cigars and spilled coffee. The front desk was completely empty which was unusual for the time of night it was. Typically Mitch McDonnell, the man who ran the place, would be standing watch to make sure the teens didn't sneak anybody in or were pushing drugs. Not having the energy to think too much into it Gregory just trudged his way upstairs and into his apartment.
With his last bit of energy he began his night routine which typically included, brushing his teeth, throwing his clothes into the wash, and crashing on the bed. The sweet lullaby's of an oncoming dream began to gently rock Gregorys tired soul but was interrupted by the loud ringing of his phone.
"Ughhh!"
Gregory grabbed his phone off of his nightstand and was tempted not to answer it, that was until he saw the name of the caller.
Dean Abernathy
"Dean?"
"Hey G long time no see."
"Oh my god it's really you man it's been years how are you."
"I've been good I started modeling and that's been nice and all I mean it puts bread on the table what about you G."
"W-well I mean I haven't become any model or anything I just work at Dave's now and I mean it makes ends meet."
"Hey man everybody starts somewhere but hey okay really quick I was going to tell you I'm coming into town tomorrow and I'm throwing a party with my team and things and was wondering if maybe you'd want to make an appearance."
"Wha….yeah man yeah fuck yeah a party sounds amazing I need it man."
"Well right on G I'll send you the location tomorrow and feel free to invite anybody else I can't wait to talk to ya more man love ya."
"Love ya too Dean."
Gregory put the phone back on the nightstand as a whole new set of worries began to plague him. What will he wear, would Emerly want to go, this could be his chance to really see Emerly in a social setting as well. As much as he wanted to explore more possibilities he had a early work day in the morning so he went to sleep pondering just how tomorrow will go.