This choice: Keep looking for more merchandise. • Go Back... There is an aisle marked "Magical Apparel" that has various costumes all guaranteed to transform you to "experience the character for real." Some of those seem interesting as you walk along checking them out, but you pass on them for now. At the end of the aisle, you discover that you're back at the front of the store where you just started. You don't remember turning a corner or the aisle bending, and you look back down the aisle scratching your head then shrug.
Before you now is the table with the jewelry and gum along with a pair of glasses and a small, brightly colored, crystal loop with an even smaller arrow and plus sign in the middle. You check you watch and see it's almost five o'clock.
This place seems useless and to have wasted even more of your time causing you to have accomplished absolutely nothing today. As frustration builds up, you look around to make sure the old man has not come back then reach towards the table to swipe one of the items. Only when your hand latches onto something, it isn't what you expected.
"So, you need to get a job?"
The old man's voice startles you coming from above, and you tremble from being caught and look up. He seems to have materialized on a step-stool behind the main counter where he has just hung a sign that says: "Because I am a wizard."
"Ah, ... yeah. But how'd you know?"
The gentleman turns his head and points to the sign. The place and this ancient geezer is creepy enough without the fact this guy has some sort of real magical ability, as if that were even possible, or thinks he does.
"That and the fact you just picked up the help wanted sign."
You look down and see that is exactly what's in your hand. You look back at the table and are sure that this sign wasn't there before.
"So, you see now that your time in here hasn't been wasted. Besides, I'm sure you have an honest heart when not too stressed."
The hairs on your neck are tingling like he knew exactly what you had been planning, and you contemplate whether you even want to be a store clerk here.
"Of course you do. Besides, it's not just a clerk."
Caught completely off guard by his answering your thoughts, you respond in the best way you know how.
"Huh?"
The old man again turns and points up at the sign. Then after a proper pause, he comes back around with a flourish and continues.
"As an apprentice, you would obviously have to monitor sales, but also you will be "checking" the inventory to make sure it is properly marked and in working order. You must know and understand the merchandise and its use so that any customer gets what they deserve. That's why there is always a full money-back guarantee."
"So, like I get to play with these things." you say as you sign the application and hand it to him not even realizing you filled it out.
"My dear boy, you do not play with magic." he sternly retorts before slowly looking up in deep thought.
"This might not be so bad." you think. "Although it's probably just minimum wage. At least dad will be off my case about it."
"Sixteen seventy-three."
"Huh?" your lightening repartee repeats itself.
"Sixteen seventy-three, minimum apprentice wage per hour. ... Your dad will be very happy."
"How'd you ..."
Another flourish of his hand toward the sign.
"You can start now and get a few hours experience if you like. It will be more enlightening than your friends house hunting experience and put a little cash in your pocket."
As your mouth opens to utter your unique surprise word because of his inference to Kyle and Matthew, he merely points his finger up to the sign before you speak, and then continues.
"Now here at King Applied Magic Enterprises, you must be properly outfitted to ensure the best customer experience. Proper sales technique will require experience, so you wear this to entice young men like yourself to leave some money here in place of some merchandise."
As he scrambles underneath the counter searching for something, you get concerned you'll have to wear some dorky robe like his or a pointed hat. Fortunately, he comes back up and hands you a folded apron or the like with a small box on top of it.
"You can change in the back or you can start tomorrow after school."
Leaning over at you, his face goes seriously dark and evil, and in a deep gruffly whisper commands, "Do NOT open the box until you have the smock on." Then he pulls back and smiles straightening his robe and adds, " It's not dorky nor is there a hat. "
"But ..."
His finger points to the sign.
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