Chapter 1: The Application [Pt. 1]

Bell's Pizza Palace. The large, slightly worn with age, letters were plastered to the façade of the broad building. The four mascots' faces adorned the board, though their overly-happy smiles were partly shaded by blackness, stretching across their faces almost like scars. The heavy winds and rains must've damaged them mercilessly...

Her hand clutched the Bordeaux red shoulder bag anxiously tighter. Applying for a job never had been an easy task for Camille. Heck, even presentations during class were a true torture for her! She tried her best to ignore the clenching feeling in her stomach as she pushed open the glass door, on which 'We're Open! Welcome!' could be read, and entered inside.

The aroma of freshly baked pizzas immediately overwhelmed the blonde girl and the clattering noise of children running and laughing about conjured a little smile on her own features. It was impossible to not smile in a place like this. For a second, she forgot about her future application for the job.

Rows of tables covered with coloured napkins, party hats and plates spanned across the main room. The seats were occupied by adults for the most part, as their kids had gathered at the front, close to the big, wooden stage.

Camille paused mid-step to watch the show with curiosity, as she still had a few minutes before the interview would start. It had been a while since the last time she'd seen Allen, Tonio and Francis performing. The song the first one sang with a bit of a scratchy voice, conducted by the others' guitar and accordion respectively, sounded vaguely familiar in the back of Cami's mind. Nine years had passed already, and the trio still performed the same old but nostalgic songs.

Silently humming and rocking along to the beat, the petite girl studied the three of them. Allen's sunglasses were missing, Tonio's bass didn't appear to be in a good condition and Francis's golden locks were tangled and not so blonde as they used to be. It was disappointing to see how all three of them moved very stiffly and how their voices weren't quite in sync with their jaws opening and closing. It bugged her as well that the fourth character, Arthur, was completely missing from the stage. A small sighed escaped her glossed lips. What had become of her favourite childhood characters... and crushes...

While smiling about her silly little girl-self from the past, Camille continued her way towards the corridor where the manager's office should be. The eight-year-old her, upon meeting the four gentlemen, had presumed they were four handsome entertainers. She couldn't have been further from the truth.

It naturally had been a great shock for the little girl when discovering that Allen, Tonio, Francis and Arthur were humanlike animatronics, aka robots. Cool metal corpses she had hugged so many times filled to the brim with beams and wires, their soothing and encouraging voices nothing more than programmed voice boxes. Camille never believed anything of it, thinking the adults were pulling a stupid joke on her.

Until, well, the brother of a childhood friend of hers got punched by Arthur. Badly. Right in his face. The animatronic must've glitched, and Matthew probably was playing too close for his own good. Anyway, after the unfortunate incident, Mum never had taken her again to Bell's and the image of Arthur's arm dangling limp at his side, wires sticking out from everywhere, never got erased out of Cami's mind.

"Camille? Hey, dudette, is that you?!"

She turned on the heels of her black Mary Jane's, surprised to hear that vaguely familiar thick accent calling out her name.

"Alfred..?"

Before she could fully register the tall blonde's big grin, she was pulled into a suffocating bear hug.

"Camille!" The voice roared deafening against her ear, but distancing from the source was impossible, thanks to Al's super strong arms. "Never thought to see you again here, man! After primary school, I totally lost you!"

Camille smiled slightly, allowing her muscles to relax a little in the hug. "I'm so sorry for that, Alfred! Mum and I had moved out of town shortly after."

Alfred clucked his tongue, before pulling away ever so slightly, still holding onto the girl's small shoulders. "Whoa, you haven't changed a bit! Only a bit taller maybe?" He grinned at her raised eyebrow. "Only joking! Haha! So, how did you find out I worked at this place? Who told you?"

"I didn't," Camille replied bluntly. "I'm here for my job intervie-"

"What?! You're going to work here too? That's awesome!" The American once again wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders. It slightly started to annoy Camille. "Gonna work in the main room too? Or in the kitchen?"

"Actually, I'm applying for the night shift."

Untangling was unneeded: Alfred's hands suddenly slid from her shoulders. Camille inhaled gratefully. "N-nightshift? Dudette- You gotta be kidding-"

His previously excited smile had resolved and a palish white spread across his face. This sudden mood switch made Cami feel a bit uncomfortable. "Eh, I'm not-"

"Mr Jones! Back to your position, bitte!" Another tall blonde, but a much, much more muscular one, approached the happy reunion. He was neatly dressed up in a suit and tie and looked very formal. Too formal to be a mere employee. "Allen, Toni and Francis need assistance with getting off stage."

"Got'cha, boss.." Still completely blown away by Camille's confession, Alfred slouched away, while throwing an occasional glance over his shoulder, his eyes filled with dread.

"What are you doing here? This is staff only, Miss." The blonde fixed his steel blue eyes on the girl's blank face with an almost accusing look. She met them persistently.

"I'm here to apply for the night shift, sir- Is this the wrong way?"

His expression spontaneously grew friendlier, yet surprised. "Nein. Follow me, bitte, Miss."

Relieved, Camille followed the intimidating male deeper into the corridor decorated with posters, children's drawings and triangular decorations. But a sudden crackling noise above their heads startled her badly and caused her to cower on the spot. A moment later Camille was forcefully dragged forwards.

"Entschuldigung, Miss!" The man's voice boomed liked thunder, and it didn't calm her wildly thumping heart much. "The pizzeria is in an urgent need of renovation." He stated calmly, while releasing Camille out of his death grip.

"T-thanks, sir...?"

"Beilschmidt."

"Ah.."

Taken aback by the curt reply, she attempted to keep up with Mr Beilschmidt's steady pace while recovering from the shock. What mess she had ended up in...

Soon, Beilschmidt opened up the door with a sign reading 'Manager', allowing Camille to hurry inside first. The faint clapping and cheering hosed down when the manager closed the door.

"Have a seat, Miss..."Mr Beilschmidt organized the bunch of papers on his desk before picking one out. "Camille Duvauchelle. We successfully received your application. Now, allow me to ask you a few questions..."

[ A/N Camille is Monaco. Before any accusations of cringiness will be made; no she won't be coupled with an animatronic. Leave a comment if you enjoyed the first part of the first chapter. Reviews are always welcome. Ellie the Platypus, over and out. ]