"You got what?!!!" Jerry, the manager of the mini-restaurant where Ethan worked shouted in disbelief. He was a tall lanky man who had a great liking for polo shirts. It was as if that was all what he had in his closet. He had short curly hair that was receding further each passing day. Ethan was sure he'll be bald before the school year ended. Currently, he was frowning at Ethan, waiting for the boy to tell him what he just heard was nothing but a joke.
"I already told you, I got put in detention by that old coot, Mr. Andrews".Ethan scratched the back of his head as he answered Jerry. Jerry knew Mr.Andrews.everybody did. In fact, everybody knew everybody in the small town of Mid-mount. with a measly population of less than 5000 people, it was nigh impossible not to.
"For a month? you gotta be shitting me! what did you do, fuck his wife?" Jerry asked in Anger. He didn't understand why the stupid kid would put himself in such a situation. Especially knowing what kind of person Andrews was. Truth was, Jerry needed the kid. Who wouldn't? The kid worked hard, but most importantly he worked cheap since he worked for less than the required hours due to him being a student. But now that he was going to start doing even lesser hours, Jerry didn't know if keeping Ethan was worth it.
"Erh...I don't think Mr.Andrews has a wife. I don't think any person in their right senses would marry that guy. but to answer your question, no. I did nothing of the sort. I only disturbed his lesson at school today. The whole thing was an accident I tell you. but the old man just wouldn't let it go" Ethan sighed heavily as he recalled what happened earlier today at school.
Jerry looked at the kid and shook his head lightly. People said he was heartless. That all he cared about was money. well, the money part had some truth to it but come on, who doesn't want money? He cared about money simply because he had too many expenses.his wife and kids alone took more than half his salary. not counting bills. He always needed more money at the end of the month. So could anyone blame him if he ripped off a few kids who didn't have much worry in this world? But what people didn't know was that Jerry had a soft side to him. Right now he could tell the boy needed this job.
"Fine...what do you suggest we do now?" Jerry asked Ethan. The latter couldn't believe his ears. Jerry was asking him what to do? He thought the former would have kicked him out the moment he delivered the devastating news but Jerry really was giving him a chance? 'and here I thought today was gonna be a bad day' he smiled inwardly.
"Well, I need you to give me an hour's pass for a month. starting from Monday. I gotta do detention for an hour. I'll rush here immediately after I'm done with detention to continue my shift." Jerry nodded as Ethan explained.
"Alright kid, I'll give you a chance. your wages tho...." "I understand. You'll have to deduct the hour of unproductiveness from it. I think it's only fair." Ethan cut Jerry off. Jerry sighed as Ethan said this.
"Well, if you're fine with the pay cut then I think we're done here. Please call me Ellie on your way out" Jerry instructed as he lay back on his swiveling chair to which Ethan answered with a "yes sir" as he backed out of the small office with a smile on his face.
'The Corner Paradise' was the name of the mini restaurant Ethan worked at. It was a nice well-decorated place with good food and a steady flow of cash. It wasn't the best restaurant in Mid-mount but it wasn't the worst either. The pay was a little on the low end but Ethan understood things were hard. After the third world war, things went to shit.
It was to be expected. You don't play with nuclear bombs and then expect the planet to be filled with roses. Nowadays earth was having it real tough. The explosion from over a dozen nuclear bombs messed with the ecosystem bad. The number of Both humans and animals reduced drastically. with most of the animal species even going extinct.
The human population on the other hand reduced from 7 billion people to a mere 3 billion. Had the 'A.N' (Allied Nations) not interfered, It was safe to say that humans weren't far from sharing the same fate as the animals. With a reduction in population, the majority of which were the working class, production, especially in the Agric. sector took a huge dip. Nowadays, food was very expensive. with water even more so. So owning a restaurant was quite profitable in today's world.
"Hey Ellie, Jerry says to go to his office", Ethan announced as he knocked on the female changing room. "Ellie ain't here. Buzz off Ethan", a voice answered Ethan from the changing room.
"Well, pass on the message when you see her, moody" he teased the person in the room as he made his way to the male changing room to put on his uniform. inside the changing room, another boy of about 17 with black skin and a down-cut was eating a sandwich with a 'Monster' by his side to wash it down, no doubt.
" Howdy Jaem" Ethan greeted the boy as he unhooked his uniform from the pole on the wall.
"Wassup dawg. How was that dump?" Jaem answered. " School was rough today man. But my luck looks to be turning for the better already" Ethan replied, to which Jaem only scoffed.
"I hope so for your sake wimp" Jaem turned to continue with his food. " Me too Jaem. I hope I get plenty of tips today" Ethan answered Jaem with a smile on his face as he got ready to start work. finding it difficult to believe his luck.