"So, why do I have to wear this ridiculous hat?" Sherlock asked, fixing the hat on his head with a scowl.
"Because it's a uniform, Sherlock. We all have to wear one, and please stop complaining. You should just be grateful I got you this job in the first place." John sighed, counting the money in his register drawer.
"I am grateful, I needed a job. But that has nothing to do with this dreadful green hat." Sherlock pointed to the baseball cap on his head.
"Look, just stock the shelves behind me. I don't want to put you on the register until you gain more people skills." John said as a woman approached the counter. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Will this be all for you today?" John asked, picking up the box of chai tea that she had put on the counter.
"Yes, thank you." She smiled as she reached for her wallet.
"Why are you buying that here? You can get the same thing at any supermarket for less." Sherlock commented, seeing the price on the glowing screen in front of John.
"Oh, well, I guess I'll do that next time." The old woman smiled softly as she handed John a ten dollar bill.
"Here you go, have a nice day." John bagged her box and handed her the change with a forced smile, and when she was out of ear shot, he turned to Sherlock.
"What are you doing? We just lost a customer because of you." John glared at his co-worker.
"I was helping a customer. Isn't that what I'm payed to do?" Sherlock raised an eyebrow as he lifted a box up to set it on a high shelf.
"You are supposed to keep the customers coming back. Be nice and smile." John said, flashing Sherlock a smile that could win over any stubborn customer.
"So I shouldn't save them from being ripped off?" Sherlock asked.
"No. Now, why don't you hand out free samples of tea. Just stand there with this box and hand customers a tea bag." John said, passing Sherlock a box containing about 20 tea bags.
"Do I have to say anything?" Sherlock asked, looking down at the box in his hands.
"Say 'would you like a free sample?' if they say yes, hold the box out to them, if they say no, just smile and say 'maybe next time.'" John said, positioning Sherlock beside the register.
"Alright." Sherlock shrugged. "Sounds easy enough."
John smiled and watched a young woman walk by the pair, looking like she was just browsing.
"Would you like a free sample?" Sherlock asked, looking at the girl.
"Oh, sure." She took one of the bags, examined it for a moment, then smiled. "Thanks."
As she walked past John to the exit, he felt the need to say something.
"Tea you later." John said, smiling and waving at her.
He was met with the back of Sherlock's hand.
"What was that for?" John asked, holding his cheek in his hand.
"That phrase is absurd." Sherlock answered, letting another customer take a free sample.
"You're absurd, Sherlock."
AN: I saw a tumblr post that said something along the lines of a person was in a tea store and a guy said tea you later and his coworker smacked him and I laughed for a good 10 minutes at it. And then I saw this little scene happen in my head. Hope you liked it!
