Chapter 2: Legend of the Cashier
(Emily's P.O.V)
Okay, so apparently I was cooking for the twins whenever I could...thanks Stan. The point was I got up early to help them with breakfast. Right now they are preparing for the famous syrup race. Georgia and I one tried it before...we may or may not used the whole bottle at one point...
"Are you ready for the ultimate challenge?" Mabel asked in a serious tone as she was holding Sir Syrup.
"I'm always ready!" Dipper declared, holding mountain man.
"Then you know what this means!" Mabel exclaimed.
"Syrup race!" They cried and tilted the bottles back as the syrup started to drip down. "Ahhh!" The exclaimed.
"Go Sir Syrup!"
"Go Mountain Man!"
"Go, whichever one I can put on my breakfast, cause I'm hungry!" I exclaimed.
"Almost, Almost..." Mabel then tapped the bottom of the bottle allowing her to win. "Yes! I won!" She cheered before cough. I then made a buzzer noise.
"You cheated I'm calling you out." I said reaching for the bottle but she pulled it away. "No fair! We didn't go over any rules!" She laughed and I ended up taking mountain man.
"Ho ho, no way! Hey guys, check this out." Dipper said showing us the newspaper. I was actually paying attention to the back page that showed an ad for Gideon. I had pointed it out to Georgia and she theorized that he would be important. She was right and I owed her five. I thought he would show up for one episode.
"Human-sized hamster balls? I'm human-sized!" Mabel gasped excitedly.
"No, no, Mabel. This." Dipper then pointed to the photo monster ad. "We see weirder stuff than that every day! We didn't get any photos of those gnomes, did we?" He asked hopefully.
"Nope, just memories. And this beard hair." Mabel said waving a tuff of hair around.
"Why did you save that?" Dipper asked in disgust. Mabel shrugged in response.
"Sorry Dipper, I don't think anyone had a camera during that moment." I said. Dipper then gave a 'hmm' before tapping his chin as Stan walked in.
"Good morning, knuckleheads. You two know what day it is?" He asked happily.
"Um... Happy anniversary?" Dipper guessed.
"Mazel tov!" Mabel cheered.
"Made up holiday?" I asked. Stan frowned and hit Dipper in the head with a newspaper.
"It's Family Fun Day, genius!" He said walking over to the fridge and got milk out. "We're cuttin' off work and having one of those, you know, bonding-type deals." He said as he sniffed the milk and put it down.
"Grunkle Stan, is this gonna be anything like our last family bonding day?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah your lucky I was able to make the police believe that it was 'harmless fun'." I said giving air quotes. Mabel shuddered at the memory.
"The county jail was so cold." She said rubbing her arms.
"All right, maybe I haven't been the best summer caretaker. But I swear, today we're gonna have some real family fun. Now who wants to put on some blindfolds and get into my car?" Stan asked.
"YAY!" The twins cheered. Then Dipper realized what Stan had said.
"Wait what?" He asked. I laughed, cue theme song!
"Welp you all have fun." I said getting up from the chair and clearing my plate.
"You're not coming with us?" Mabel asked.
"No, sorry. I'm gonna run the Shack for Stan, he likes making some extra cash." I said whispering the last part. "Plus this is a family day for you guys, so put on a blindfold and have fun!" I ruffled her hair and took her finished plate.
"Uh...he's not serious about that part is he?" Dipper asked. I raised an eyebrow. "I stopped questioning your Grunkle when I started working here. Just stay out of trouble." I warned and Stan came up with blindfolds.
"Time to go!" He cheered and dragged them off to his car. I waved goodbye and sighed watching them leave.
"They are gonna get themselves in serious trouble." I sighed and walked back inside and flipped the open sign so it was facing outside. Then I made another sign that said: 'No tours today, legends only.' Believe it or not, Stan let me tell legends about Gravity Falls when ever he is too busy. I heard the bell ring and several people walked in looking around.
"Welcome to the one and only Mystery Shack folks!" I said happily. Several people started looking around the gift shop and a lady with a boy came up to me.
"Excuse me, but I'm a little confused about the sign. Why are there no tours?" She asked.
"Well my boss is spending some family time with his niece and nephew. So I'm running things for the day. I can't give tours as well as he can, but I do tell stories about certain creatures in Gravity Falls. Your welcome to stay for one." I explained.
"Can we mom? Please?" Her son asked tugging on her arm.
"I don't see why not." She replied and I smiled. "Well then, everyone gather around." I said as I moved from behind the desk to the front.
"I'll tell you the tale of...the Gobblewonk!" I exclaimed and a few kids giggled.
"What is it?" One kid asked as others sat down to listen. I smirked. I'm making this whole thing up but what the heck?
"Well it's Gravity Falls version of the Loch Ness Monster. People say they see in roaming the lake of Gravity Falls. Destroying fishing boats, taking away fishing rods, and cause mysterious tides." I said dramatically. The kids scooted forward eagerly wanted to hear more.
"Not much is known about this strange creature, only that it's neck is taller than a giraffe's and flippers the size of a canoe! Though there is one tale I find the most interesting." I said.
"What?" A boy asked.
"Well, Gravity Falls is known for mysteries and the Gobblewonk is certainly one of them. I've heard that long ago when people first came here. They one thing they always did was go fishing with each other. But something strange kept happening. On the high tide, not one fish would bite the bait, not even a smile nibble. Many tried to catch a fish on the high tide, but no luck." I paused to let it sink in and even the grownups seemed interested.
"One day, a man named Steven Scuttlebutt decided to go over to an island in the middle of the lake during high tide, believing that was where the fish went. So he left on his boat. And never came back. So a few men took their own boats and searched for Steven. When they arrived Steven's boat was completely destroyed and he was nowhere to be seen." The kids eyes were as wide as saucers.
"Once they found him Steven quickly described his experience about being attacked by a strange creature. They men claimed that he was crazy, but agreed to stay so Steven could prove it. That night they all sat in the boat. Quietly they waited for what seemed like hours until the boat started shaking. The men held on for dear life and the Gobblewonk rose above the sea. Roaring furiously at the group. They all screamed in fear, begging for whatever was attacking them to stop." I raised my hands up in a creepy motion and flattened them before pausing for a moment to grab a drink of water.
"Then, all was quite. The men were safe but heard a tiny voice warning them: 'Don't come back during the high tide or the Gobblewonk will attack'. From that day one, the men stood guard during the hide tide making side no one went in even ten feet to the island. The Gobblewonk never attacked them again. Though some people say that during the night by the lake you'll be able to hear the Gobblewonk's roar. THE END." I finished and everyone started wide eyed for a moment and then started clapping.
"Oh my you certainly have a talent for this." A nice women said and I took a bow.
"Why thank you, I've had practice." I the walked up to the cash register and several tourists got in line to by souvenirs. I smiled happily and saw that we got a few tips as well.
Later when the next group came I repeated my story and had to deal with a few...ahem...difficult customers.
"So where are you coupons?" A man asked.
"Sorry we don't have any coupons." I replied.
"What you got to have coupons! Every store has them!" The man fired back I rubbed my temple in annoyance.
"Yes, but we are not a store, it's a tourist stop. You pay for tours and souvenirs. That's it." I said simply.
"But you should!" The man exclaimed and my eye twitched before I banged my head on the desk in frustration. Deep breathes Emily, deep...deep breathes.
"$10.50 for a single snow-globe?! That's crazy!" A women exclaimed. I face-palmed, it was a nice snow-globe! I really hope it gets better.
"Excuse me ma'am when's the next tour?"
Nope it was not.
"The sign says 'No tours today' so there is no tours." I explained as calmly as I could. She stared at me like I was crazy.
"I didn't seen any sign." She said confused. I looked over to the door, trying to figure out if the sign had fallen off. I clearly saw it.
"Well it's right outside, sorry if you missed it. Would you like to stay for the last legend being told?" I asked politely. She actually just walked out towards her car.
"...guess not...okay..." I muttered to no one in particular.
"Hi, I'd like a cheeseburger please."
Oh...COME ON!
"Um we don't we don't serve that...all we have is the stuff in the vending machine." I said pointing to the machine at the other side of the room. The dude paid no mind to it.
"I don't want that stuff I want something warm."
"Then go into town and find a restaurant this is a tourist stop." I muttered, clenching my fists.
"Geez no need to yell, I'm out." He walked out like nothing happened and my eye twitched. This cannot get any worse.
"Well hey there gorgeous."
I really need to stop jinxing my life.
"Can I help you?" I asked unamused by his flirting.
"I lost my number, can I borrow yours?" He asked. I nearly laughed that he used that same line Stan did...before he nearly got eaten...
"Actually don't have one." I shrugged and saw that other people were waiting.
"Well then when's your shirt over? I'd be happy to take you out on the town." He said, making no move to leave.
"Look either A: buy something and leave, B: have me slap you and leave or C: have an angry mob chase you out." I snapped and the man behind him cracked his fist so loud, I flinched. The da dome guy backed away and ran out of the store.
"Thanks." I said sighing in relief placing his bobble head in a bag.
"Eh, I work at a store too, trust me I know how it feels." The man said and walked out.
Soon it was closing time and I was checking the money when I heard a car screech. I turned my head and saw that Stan, Mabel and Dipper were exiting the car taking happily. They walked in and I walked out from behind the counter.
"Hey, did you all have fun fishing?" I asked and Mabel nodded happily.
"Yeah we got chased by this crazy robot that nearly killed us, saw a bunch of cute beavers and then finally hung out with Stan on the fishing boat." She said in one breathe.
"Wow, quite a day huh?" I said
"HOT BELGIAN WAFFLES!" Stan suddenly cried I turned and saw him staring at the cash register. "Emily, did you make all this today?!" He asked in disbelief. I nodded slowly, still startled by his outburst. He then wrapped an arm around me.
"Haha! I should leave you in charge more often. The tip jar is actually full!" He said and I laughed.
"You do a better job, I just got lucky. I should get ready for bed though." I said and Mabel the stood in front of me.
"Hang on, your always the first one here, but last to leave. What's up with tags? You never talk about your house or anything." Mabel asked and Dipper placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Mabel, don't be rude." He whispered. I sighed. "No Dipper it's fine. I just didn't want you two to worry." I started and Stan looked at me worriedly but I gave him a nod.
"Dipper, Mabel, I don't have a family. I was orphaned my whole life and I'm currently living in the treehouse nearby. It's where I sleep and I'm saving up to but my own place one day." I explained.
"Aww, why didn't you tell us before?! That's so sad!" Mabel threw her arms around me and I returned the hug.
"Cause it never came up. Besides I'm not some damsel that need a knight to come a rescue me. I'm actually happy with living in a tree house. One of these days I'll show you two, but right now I'm tired. I'll see you all in the morning okay?" I said rubbing their heads.
"Okay, goodnight!" Mabel cried happily and hurried upstairs. I was about to walk out the door when Dipper stopped me.
"Uh Emily, for the record, we wouldn't judge you based on your background." He said and I smiled.
"Thanks Dipper, I kinda knew you wouldn't." And with that I headed home.
Once I was settled into bed I looked out the window again.
"Well Georgia I may not have played a big role in the episode, but I'm glad Dipper and Mabel know my 'secret' it feels good to let it off my chest. So...yeah...goodnight." I said and pulled up the covers and closes my eyes.
When I opened them I saw that I was on my mattress...just floating in midair...wait...WHAT?!
"This is freaky." I muttered and looked at my surrounded. Everything was black and white except for well...me...wait is this my mind? It's so...vast...weird. Multiple objects were floating around me and I looked jumped off the mattress and could walk around.
"Huh..odd." I thought aloud.
"Hey kid!" I fins he'd when I heard that voice...oh no...no no no NO! I knew that voice!
"Nope, I'm not dealing with this." I said flatly and started walking in the opposite direction of the voice.
"Hey, no need to be rude!"
"LALALALALALA! Not listening!" I yelled covering my ears.
"Wait, don't you dare ignore me Emerald!"
"Oh is someone speaking to me, cause I don't hear ANYTHING!" I cried running faster. I was NOT dealing with this.
"Come on toots! No need to be harsh!"
Oh he did not just call me that. No one calls me that!
"GET OUT!" I screamed and started running faster. Giving up on my ears.
"Whoa, no need to scream, I'm right here. Come one turn around...you know you want to..." A sly voice replied.
"No, I won't look! Ug where's a cliff when you need one!" I cried and once I finished I realized I was on a the edge of a cliff.
"Huh, convenient." I said happily and felt an arm on my shoulder, but I slapped it away and jumped off the cliff without looking back.
I gasped and shot up as I woke up from whatever that was. Catching my breath I got up and opened the window to get some fresh air.
That voice was one me and other fans knew too well. The one that several fans enjoyed.
The one we call...Bill Cipher.
Author's Note:
And there we go. Bill made a slight appearance. And yes, Emily's nickname is Emerald, for obvious reasons. He will see her again, some sunny day. (Get it?)
Anyway hope you enjoyed this slightly original chapter. Next one will focus more on the actual episode. So please leave a review and I'll see you next chapter!