This is the last FanFic I'm putting up in 2005! Happy New Year's everyone.

Your resoloution should be giving me more reviews. Hahaha, just kidding, but I would appreciate some feedback loves.

The morning went by remarkably slow. She wished the store was closed more than once a week on Tuesdays. It was Wednesday, but after Friday the store was going to closed for the holidays for the rest of the week. Claire would sit down behind the counter, get antsy and pace, play with instruments and feel foolish and return to her original spot. She thought about Spot and going out to dinner. He had said it would be his treat, did that mean it was a date? Were all the guys going or would it be just the two of them? Was she supposed to meet him there or was he picking her up at the apartment? "Wow, I apparently know nothing when it comes to romantic relationships."She laughed at herself. This would take some getting used to.

She couldn't take her mind off of Spot until she was interrupted when a tall boy with slicked back black hair who looked about 17 walked in at noon, which was when the appointment with Mr. Pulitzer was scheduled. She realized that it was Joseph Pulitzer Junior, not senior. She had been sitting at the piano playing the same song she'd played two days before. When the little silver bell above the doorway announced his arrival, Claire spun on the stool and stood erect. "Good day. Mr. Pulitzer, I presume?"She said sweetly with false sincerity. Something about the way he walked in on a cloud of arrogance that only came from a lifetime of being spoiled made her cringe.

"Yes, and you are?"

"Claire Kelly, sir." She said nodding her head politely. "How may I help you?"

He hesitated before answering, looking her up and down greedily. It made Claire feel sick to her stomach. Who did he think he was, anyway? "I'm interested in purchasing a new piano." he said after examining her. Sleaziness seemed to ooze from his voice. Being courteous to him was becoming more difficult by the second for Claire.

"Well," She cleared her throat uncomfortably. He kept staring at her, without blinking. He was extremely unattractive with pale skin, beady eyes that seemed too far back in his head, puffy bright red lips, and warts scattered lightly on his paper white skin. His appearance resembled one of a sickly little boy, only he was chubbier. "What type are you looking for exactly?"

"A baby grand. I want it in black. I want your highest quality." His proud expression revealed that he was using his wealth in an attempt to show off to Claire.

Claire was disgusted with him. "Is he really trying to impress me with his money?" She wondered to herself. "Well, all of our pianos are in this room, if you would like to try one out."Claire answered aloud, hoping that she was hiding the fact that all she wanted was to get away from him.

"Which is the most expensive?" His voice sounded like the whine of a small boy trying to sound dignified only fairing miserably.

Claire could not believe this boy was trying to impress her like this. Masking a sigh she pointed to the one that stood on a platform. "This one." She was trying so hard to mask her annoyance. It was apparently working because the pompous smirk remained plastered to Pulitzer's face. "It's $400."

Without even sitting down to test it's sound, he declared he would take it and left, promising to be back tomorrow to pick it up. A few more customers came and went, buying sheet music and polish but no one else made any major purchases. At four o'clock Mr. Wringer returned from teaching lessons. Mrs. Wringer followed shortly after.

"You can go now Claire. I'll see you tomorrow." Mr. Wringer said at five o'clock.

"Mr. Wringer, I hate to ask you this but, may I take tomorrow off?"

"Why? Do you feel alright? Shall I have a doctor come?"

"Oh no, I feel fine. It's just ..." She trailed off, unsure if she should tell him the truth or not.

"Yes?"

"Well, you know how Mr. Pulitzer is coming tomorrow to pick up the piano?He made me very uncomfortable today and I was hoping I would be able to skip so I could avoid seeing him again. I'll make it up, I swear. I'll clean the entire shop ..."

"There is absolutely no way she is skipping tomorrow!"Mrs. Wringer had apparently been eavesdropping from the next room. She screeched at her husband, ignoring Claire's presence. "I saw Mr. Pulitzer today after lunch and the boy says he is in love," She spat out the last bit. "with Miss Kelly. Lord only knows why." She insulted Claire. "He asked if she would be here tomorrow and I told him yes so she has to be here, regardless of uncomfortable it makes her feel." Mrs. Wringer mocked her relentlessly. She turned towards Claire, actually speaking directly to her, something Claire would discover she would rarely do. "You treat that boy like you are his slave. Anything he wants, he gets." She hissed through crooked, clenched teeth.

Claire just nodded solemnly and hurried out the door, trying to escape Mrs. Wringer's wrath. While she walked down the crowded street she thought "I hate that woman. What does she think I am? A common prostitute? I can't believe I'm being treated this way. I never did anything to that God awful creature and she hates me for no reason. God damn her!" She hardly ever cursed, not even in her thoughts, but she had been ridiculed and mocked and insulted for no reason and she didn't care about thinking proper thoughts for the time being.

Well what do you think?

R&R