How (Not) To Be A Model Citizen
"Is anyone gonna tell her, or should I?" Matt frowned.
"Matt, be nice…she's new," Sora whispered.
"No, I can't be nice. I ordered a Going Bananas smoothie the other day and it was orange. And there were no oranges in it. I didn't taste any oranges at all," Matt said.
"Shoot, I cut myself again," Mimi put the knife down and grabbed a bandaid.
"Is she bleeding all over the fruit?" Tai gagged in his mouth.
"Oh no, this isn't good…," Sora grimaced.
"That's right. I drank her blood. I had a blood smoothie," Matt shuddered.
"Oh god," Kari turned white.
"Mimi…hey, why don't we take a break from the fruit cutting for a bit?" Sora ran up to the smoothie kiosk.
"Good call. I think my hands could use a mini vacation. Look," Mimi held up her bandage-covered hands.
"No, you can't work in this condition. I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll be a good fit for this job," Sora shook her head.
"What? Did I do something wrong?" Mimi gasped.
"For starters, if you do hurt yourself, you should stop what you're doing and get yourself cleaned up. Then clean up your workstation, because this blood is a biohazard. If someone else touches that blood or if it comes in contact with other items or food in the kitchen, that's bad," Sora said. "You wouldn't eat at a restaurant that had a kitchen covered in puke, right?"
"Ew gross, no!" Mimi gasped.
"Yeah, so this is basically the same thing. Maybe food service isn't for you right now, and that's okay. We can help you find a different job. I think a clothing store would be more up your speed," Sora said.
"Alright. I can give that a try," Mimi nodded.
"Don't worry about this, I'll clean up. Then we can walk around the mall later and see what jobs are available," Sora patted her on the shoulders.
"Thanks Sora," Mimi sighed.
"Yeah. Thanks Sora," Matt said.
"Well, who's going to make the smoothies now? You don't technically work at the smoothie stand anymore," Tai asked.
"Maybe I could do it? I do need to get some extra cash," TK said.
"You'll need to wear the uniform…," Sora pointed at the fruit hat.
"Uh…fine," TK grimaced at the cornucopia at the table.
"Alright. Just one other condition. Before I let you take this position, I'll need you to make a batch of the Hurricane Punch smoothie," Sora grabbed a recipe book.
"What the hell? That's like all of the fruits from the grocery store," TK gasped.
"I just want to make sure you can handle all types of fruits," Sora said.
"Okay, hurricane on the way," TK grabbed fruit and began to rapidly slice them into slivers. He effortlessly slid them into the blender and set aside several empty cups. "Alright, here you go guys!"
"Impressive. The job is yours," Sora said in approval.
"Do I really have to wear the hat?" TK whined.
"If I had to wear it, so do you," Sora said.
"And you look so cute," Kari cooed.
"Shut up," TK narrowed his eyes.
"Oh my god guys! Guess what?" Davis ran towards the group.
"What?" everyone looked at him.
"Albatross and Finch is having casting calls!" Davis excitedly squealed.
"Oh my god, seriously?!" Mimi jumped up from her seat.
"Yeah! But we gotta get there soon! The line's already ridiculous!" Davis said.
"Oh my god! We have to go! Show me the way!" Mimi yelled.
"Come on, follow me!" Davis motioned her over.
"Hey…did I miss out on something?" Izzy paused as he watched Mimi and Davis run past him.
"Yeah, that preppy store is having 'auditions'? I thought they just sold clothes, I didn't know they made movies too," Matt said.
"It's a casting call, and no. They just hire good looking people to work for them- that's why almost everyone in school wants to work for them. Also, if you work for them, and the CEO stops by your store and likes you, you could end up in one of their advertisements," Kari explained.
"Oh," everyone said nonchalantly.
"What? It's cool!" Kari gasped.
"Then why aren't you going up there with them?" Izzy asked.
"That store is for dumb jocks and spoiled rich girls," Kari stuck her nose up in the air.
"Bingo," TK scoffed.
"I can't afford anything there, nor would I want anything from there even if I could," Kari shook her head.
"You guys sound like dweeby nerds who probably got kicked out of the store before," Matt smirked.
"Didn't you get kicked out of that store?" Tai smirked.
"Yeah, but that's cause I'm edgy," Matt said.
"As edgy as a cotton ball," Izzy rolled his eyes.
"Hey, I work at a kickass music store. You work at a place that sells pink everything. You might as well have gotten a job at Build-A-Buddy," Matt crossed his arms.
"Nobody buys music anymore! And you work in the showtunes section. Who buys that?" Izzy scoffed.
"Boys, boys…we're all making an honest living here! No need to make fun of each other," Tai stood between Matt and Izzy.
"He's right. Can we all just get along?" Sora nodded.
"I'll drop it, but I know what you're trying to insinuate and I don't appreciate it," Izzy said.
"You started it," Matt crossed his arms.
"Actually, you started it when you made fun of Kari," TK pointed at Matt.
"Okay, so are we all in agreement that Matt is a big jerk? Great! Awesome, looks like it's unanimous, so I'm gonna head to work before I'm late. Tata for now," Tai waved and dashed off.
"Okay, bye…," Sora frowned. "That was very odd."
"I have to agree. Hey, by the way did any of you figure out where Tai works yet?" Izzy asked.
"Oh my god, me and Davis followed him the other day and you won't believe it!" Kari smacked her hands on the table.
"No, no, no, go home, as if, please leave…," a tall, slender woman with wavy, blonde hair shot people disapproving looks with her dark violet eyes.
"Wow, she's intense," Davis gulped.
"Yeah. That's Rumiko Nonaka, I didn't know she was gonna be doing the casting call. She's a famous supermodel and I look like this," Mimi bit her lip.
"You'll be fine…I think? Well, I think you're prettier than any of these girls here and she's gotta hire a girl. So far, she doesn't like any of them," Davis whispered.
"You…," the woman poked Davis in the chest. "Are you eighteen years or older?"
"Yes?" Davis gulped.
"Okay, I like you. You're hired," the woman smiled.
"Oh my god, Rumiko! I just wanted to say I love you and you're like my favorite supermodel! You're so pretty," Mimi rambled.
"Is this your girlfriend?" the woman asked Davis.
"No…," Davis shook his head.
"Do you know her at all?" the woman stayed looking at him, ignoring Mimi completely.
"Yeah! She's my friend. But that's it. Nothing more," Davis said.
"Fair enough. Tell her she has the job. You guys start orientation tomorrow at 6pm. And you can tell your friend that she doesn't need to suck up to me. I don't care, she has the job," the woman walked away.
"Miss, thank you. But what about the other people?" Davis pointed at the line behind them.
"Oh, thanks for reminding me. The rest of you can go home! I found who I was looking for! Thanks anyways," the woman waved.
"Awww, that's bull crap," the line of people mumbled.
"Thank you, young man. I think I'm really going to like you after all," the woman grabbed Davis by his jaw and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"We'll see you tomorrow. And thanks again!" Mimi grinned.
"Whatever. Honey, can you do something about your friend before we start tomorrow? She talks too much," the woman said to Davis.
"Uh, I'll try…?" Davis raised an eyebrow.
"Great. Don't make me regret my choice," the woman smiled and walked away.
"I don't think she likes me very much," Mimi frowned.
"I think maybe she likes me a little too much," Davis gulped.
"Are you sure it's here?" Sora whispered.
"Yeah. Me and Davis followed him here," Kari led her to a black-and-white striped store.
"Hi, welcome to the makeup store! Can we help you today?" a girl in a black and red smock greeted the girls.
"It's okay, we're fine," Sora shook her head.
"Okay, if you need any help, just let one of us know!" the girl smiled.
"Kari, I don't see-"
"Hi sisters-ahhh! Sister? What are you doing here?" Tai gasped.
"Hey," Kari bashfully waved at him.
"Tai, what are you doing here?" Sora gawked at him.
"I'm working, okay?" Tai turned red.
"Why here?" Sora whispered.
"Because I have a killer bone structure and contouring is the thing. I didn't even know half of what that meant until yesterday," Tai shook his head. "I can make you both look snatched like Kim Kardashian, but if you want to be super snatched like Khloe, I still have a little bit more classes before I get there."
"Wait, so you're seriously working in a makeup store? On purpose?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? I decided to take a page from Izzy's book and go with the flow. Guess who comes to makeup stores all the time? Girls! And when they find out I can do makeup better than their best friend, bam!" Tai snapped his fingers.
"They'll think you're gay?" Kari frowned.
"Listen missy, I'm secure enough in my masculinity to be able to work in a place like this without a problem. Honestly," Tai crossed his arms.
"Is that so? Then maybe you should tell everyone else if you're that secure," Sora smirked.
"Maybe I will. It would be nice to have you guys stop by," Tai said. "By the way, I do earn commission, so you should probably buy something or leave."
"Uh…," Kari picked up a lip gloss. "Does this really cost $25?"
"Yep," Tai nodded.
"That's kinda expensive for a lip gloss. I don't spend more than $5," Sora frowned.
"Really? That sounds cheap," Tai frowned.
"Tai, do you know much makeup should reasonably cost?" Kari asked.
"Not really. But that's probably why it's so easy for me to sell it. What's this cost? $100, that's nothing!" Tai scoffed.
"Well, we can't afford to help you, so we're just going to head out. Glad you found a job though," Sora said.
"Thanks babes! Come back when you get sugar daddies," Tai blew them kisses.
"Tai, you can't speak like that to customers," a coworker gasped.
"Oh those girls. Nah, that's just my sister and her friend. And trust me, they're not customers. Customers actually buy stuff," Tai said as he straightened out the display counters.
"We thought it would be a mistake hiring a guy, but I think it was the best choice we've made! Here Tai, you're artist of the month!" the store manager handed Tai a ribbon.
"Sweet!" Tai pinned the ribbon to his uniform.
"So, how did the interviews go?" Izzy asked Mimi.
"Oh my god, it was soooo intense! Like do you know Rumiko Nonaka, the famous supermodel? She was in charge of the casting call, and she was literally sending everyone home until she stopped at Davis," Mimi said.
"Ooh, so someone caught the supermodel's attention," TK winked.
"Hey, it's not like that at all. Besides, she's probably like 35…that's like a mom already," Davis frowned.
"A hot mom," Matt grinned.
"Don't encourage it. You've been jailbait before," Sora disapprovingly looked at Matt.
"Hey, I thought all those women were just being nice," Matt pressed his lips together in an awkward smile.
"Yeah. My female friends from middle school still won't talk to me anymore because they think you caused all of their parents to divorce," TK shook his head.
"It kind of sounds like an adult problem, not a Matt problem," Izzy frowned.
"Yeah, the adult should know better. Matt is still in high school for crying out loud," Sora shook her head.
"Anyways, we do have to head for our orientation soon, but I'm kind of excited. But also nervous. I don't think she likes me. Like she talks to me through Davis and honestly, it just makes me uncomfortable?" Mimi uptalked.
"Hopefully it gets better. Maybe you just need to get to know her better," Sora said.
"I told her that she should probably not talk unless she's being spoken to," Davis said.
"Hmm…," the gang hummed.
"What? That's only until we get a feel for things," Davis shrugged.
"Okay. But if you ask me, this doesn't sound like a positive work environment. Keep us posted," Sora said.
"And good luck," Izzy nodded.
"Thanks guys! We should probably head out!" Mimi checked her phone.
"Yeah, let's not try to get on the wrong foot on the first day," Davis grimaced.
"Thank you for showing up to orientation! We're going to run through the regular HR stuff and then from there, I'll break down a little more about what it means to be a Model Citizen- which is what we call the salespeople in our storefronts. All of our Model Citizens have the chance to be featured in our Albatross and Finch catalogues, billboards, and promotional display posters, so it's very important that you uphold high standards for yourself every time you're on the sales floor. That means keeping a clean, tidy appearance and no black nail polish…," Rumiko, the blonde woman from yesterday, pulled out a bottle of nail polish remover and placed it in front of a girl with spiky, red hair.
"Are you serious?" the girl looked at her in disgust.
"Yes. Now please," Rumiko tapped on the table.
"This is friggin stupid, I don't even want to work here…," the girl grumbled to herself.
"Hey, did you see that girl yesterday?" Davis whispered to Mimi.
"No, didn't see her. She doesn't look like the type to want to work here," Mimi whispered back.
"Okay, I'll just pop in this DVD explaining more about the brand history and I'll be back in a few. Enjoy!" Rumiko turned on a TV and left the room.
"So, you're my mom's new boy toy?" the redheaded girl pointed to Davis.
"Your mom?" Davis raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, the supermodel. Oh, that's right…I don't exist cause that would ruin the illusion that she's hot. Hi, I'm Rika, Rumiko's secret daughter," the girl introduced herself.
"Hi Rika. I'm Davis, and this is Mimi," Davis said.
"Nice. So…are you really eighteen? Cause you look a bit too young to be eighteen. I think my mom is really trying to get with you. She only likes to hire guys, and then she hires a random girl so she doesn't look too sexist. I see you happen to be the token girl," Rika pointed at Mimi.
"What?" Mimi gasped.
"I'm sorry, but you're kinda mean. So…I'm assuming you're not working here because you want to?" Davis pursed his lips together.
"Bingo! I just wanted to keep doing my online gambling, but 'tHaT's nOt a rEaL jOb'…coming from the lady who walks up and down a stage in glitter panties for a living," Rika rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, no wonder she pretends you don't exist…," Mimi hummed to herself.
"Whaddya say, princess?" Rika cocked her head to the side.
"Nothing," Mimi gulped.
"Anyways, if she wants to see me make money from this job, she'll see me making money. That's for sure," Rika smirked.
"Yeah, we'll all be making money. Nice, honest money," Davis gulped.
"So…do you know if we get a good employee discount here?" Mimi awkwardly asked.
"Does it look like I would care?" Rika scoffed.
"Actually, you look like the kind of person who would steal the clothes from here and sell it on the black market," Davis muttered.
"What did you say?" Rika growled.
"Nothing…have you thought about working at the Spicy Talk across the hall?" Davis nervously laughed.
"No thanks. That's poser stuff," Rika made a face.
"Okay then…," Davis whistled.
"Hey guys, I only have enough time to grab a smooth-"
"Whoa, who ordered the drag show?" Matt heckled.
"I don't mean to join in, but what exactly is this?" Izzy waved his hand up and down in front of Tai.
"Oh crap…," Tai looked down at his work uniform. "Well, the cat is out of the bag. I got a job at the makeup store."
"What? How?! Why?!" TK gasped.
"I dunno. This girl came up to me, complimented me and asked me if I was a fast learner, and I was just so struck by that question, I said yes. Then she offered me the job," Tai shrugged.
"So now you have to wear a dress and put on makeup everyday for your job? And I thought Izzy having to wear pink every day was bad enough!" Matt laughed.
"For what it's worth, I'm proud that you found a job," Izzy interrupted Matt.
"Matt, you really should be the last person making fun of people's jobs. You work at a store in a dying industry- and your manager gives you the crappy departments. I don't know much about makeup, but Tai looks good, like those YouTube guys," TK said.
"Why thanks, Teeks!" Tai nodded.
"Don't listen to Matt. He's an idiot," Izzy shook his head.
"I'm the idiot? Well…pink is an ugly color on you! And you look stupid in that hat, TK! And you're wearing makeup?! Makeup! I can't believe it! I have to go!" Matt got up from his seat and went to his job.
"Ouch, that's sad…," Tai winced.
"You know what's really sad?" TK said.
"What?" Tai asked.
"You do makeup better than 95% of the girls at school," TK said.
"Actually, he's right about that. And I don't know anything about makeup," Izzy frowned.
"Hey, you just gotta have the right tools," Tai winked.
"Maybe if soccer star doesn't work out for you, maybe you should think about other career plans," Izzy said.
"Yeah, who knows! It's still too early for me to think about it!" Tai shrugged. "Anyways, I should get back to work! Toodles!"
"In order to be a great Model Citizen, you have to place importance on your hygiene and appearance! That means you have to buy at least three outfits from every season's collection, and you have to maintain a natural, clean look. That means no colorful or black makeup. Now wash those faces off ladies," Rumiko handed the girls makeup remover wipes.
"Do I have to?" Mimi whined.
"I don't talk for fun," Rumiko huffed.
"Although it sounds like she does," Rika wiped off her smoky eyeshadow.
"Holy shit, you look like you're twelve!" Davis gasped.
"Close. I'm fourteen," Rika threw the dirty wipe at her mom.
"Are you allowed to work that young?" Davis asked.
"She can as long as she has parental approval…which is unfortunately me," Rumiko scowled as she picked up the discarded wipe.
"Where can I throw this away?" Mimi sniffled.
"Holy crap, you have freckles?!" Davis wheezed.
"Thanks for pointing it out…," Mimi covered up her cheeks.
"No, leave that. Freckles are in the mode right now. Love it," Rumiko grabbed Mimi's wipe and threw it away. "Now that the makeup portion is done, we'll just talk dress code. Because this is the uniform we are talking about, the only colors you're allowed to wear on the 'runway' can be navy, white, and grey. No black whatsoever. And Davis, you really need to take advantage of your dress code. Since you're a guy, you can play around a bit more with layers. You can leave a shirt unbuttoned like this….or you can tuck in your shirt like this…"
"Oh wow, that's really tucked. Does it have to be that tucked in?" Davis gulped as Rumiko adjusted his shirt below his waistline.
"Girls, can you give us a minute?" Rumiko stood up.
"I already know the routine. Alright, new girl. Come with me…we're gonna fold t-shirts in the front," Rika motioned Mimi over.
"Is Davis going to be alright?" Mimi looked over her shoulder.
"Have you heard stories or interviews about aspiring models and actors?" Rika asked.
"No, not that I can think of," Mimi frowned.
"I suggest you find something. Cause that's basically what's happening there, while I stuff a bunch of crap into my backpack," Rika opened up a box and started sifting through items.
"Wait, what?" Mimi gasped.
"Your friend may be a dingus, but he was right when he said I was a thief. Screw this store, and screw my mom. Hey, do you want anything? You can take it for free. I'll just adjust the inventory numbers in the system-hey, did you just pass out? What a wimp…," Rika scoffed.
"Hey guys! I found a job at Build-A-Buddy! This is my practice buddy, she's a cat! I get to keep her too!" Kari showed off her stuffed animal.
"Oh, how cute," Sora patted the animal.
"She touched me here, and here, here, here, and here…," Davis frantically poked the cat.
"Hey watch it! You're going to ruin my toy," Kari snatched the animal back.
"Hold the phone…she touched you? What are you talking about?" Sora gasped.
"Our boss…Davis was right. She liked him a lot," Mimi shook in her seat.
"Mimi, why didn't you do anything about it?" Kari gasped.
"I didn't know…until it was too late. When I realized what happened, it became too much for me, I passed out. I don't want to go back to work. I'm scared," Mimi cried.
"I'm scared too…that woman was touching me, and grabbing me, and biting me…and she wants me to be shirtless my entire shift," Davis rubbed his neck.
"Did she do anything to you too, Mimi?" TK asked.
"No. She's just mean to me. Her daughter says she only pays attention to the boys though. Meanwhile, I have to stand and watch as she robs the store blind and I pretend I don't know what's going on. Do we have to go back?" Mimi whined.
"Not if we have anything to say about this. Mama Tai is coming to the rescue. The two of you are just gonna have to play along," Tai pulled out a red lipstick.
"Oh no…I think one of us should go with them too," Sora signaled at Matt and Izzy.
"Yeah, I'll go," Izzy took in a deep breath.
"That works! I'm just gonna give myself and Izzy a quick adult makeover, and then we'll head over to show that lady what's up!" Tai pulled out his makeup bag.
"What? You're not putting me in makeup!" Izzy gasped.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna make you look like a girl, but I do have to make you look older! We're gonna pretend to be their parents!" Tai protested.
"Isn't there a different way this could be done without slathering stuff on my face?" Izzy grumbled.
"Shhh, stop moving your mouth," Tai pressed Izzy's lips together as everyone giggled around him.
"Hi Daddy…," Mimi linked arms with Izzy.
"Please stop calling me that," Izzy turned red.
"She can call you whatever she wants, but right now, you're her daddy. And I'm Davis's Mama bear. I will crush this lady," Tai clenched his fists.
"Right here. This is the store," Davis led them to the store.
"Oh my god, how do you find anything here? It's so dark in here," Izzy frowned.
"Hey, welcome to A&F, which stands for Assholes and Fuc-"
"Rika! If you don't cut it out, you'll be stuck in the warehouse!"
"So, is that the mean lady who touched you?" Tai asked Davis.
"Oh my god, are you serious? Davis! You brought your mom here?" Rika gasped.
"And I brought my daddy," Mimi wrapped her arms around Izzy's waist.
"Yeah…that wasn't too surprising. But Davis, what the heck? Are you a baby? How old are you?" Rika scoffed.
"He's sixteen," Tai answered.
"Wait…what?" Rika coughed.
"Yeah, sixteen…," Izzy repeated.
"Oh…I think my mom is gonna be in trouble," Rika smirked. "Hey mom! Get your ass over here! Davis has something important to tell you!"
"What is it?" Rumiko ran to the sales floor.
"Actually, Davis's mom has something to say to you. Don't you ever touch my underage high school son ever again! You creepy lady!" Tai poked Rumiko in the chest.
"Davis isn't underage…are you?" Rumiko gasped.
"I'm sixteen…," Davis looked down at the ground.
"Why would you lie about your age?" Rumiko gasped.
"Because I thought you wouldn't hire me if I wasn't eighteen, and I wanted to work here," Davis said.
"Honey, you're supposed to be eighteen to work here. It's an eighteen over job. I'm so sorry, but you can't work here," Rumiko shook her head.
"Hold on, so you wouldn't have hired him because he would have been too young? What job duties would he be prohibited from due to his age as compared to someone who's older?" Izzy crossed his arms.
"That's a good question, Mom. Care to come up with an answer?" Rika snickered.
"Mimi, is this charming man your father?" Rumiko stroked Izzy's arm.
"That's my daddy," Mimi gulped.
"You can tell your daddy that you don't have a job anymore either. This is one of the many reasons I don't like to hire minors, I don't like getting involved with their parents. If that were the case, I'd be a teacher. You can all leave now," Rumiko dismissed them.
"Finally!" Rika exhaled.
"Except you, daughter of mine. You stay."
"Crap," Rika muttered.
"I'm sorry I made you lose your job," Izzy bit his lip.
"You didn't make me lose my job. You saved me from it. Thank you," Mimi hugged him.
"Thanks again, guys… I think the store is ruined for me now, to be honest," Davis sighed.
"They do say never to sit with your heroes, or something like that," Mimi frowned.
"You guys will find other jobs soon. This mall is pretty big," Tai said.
"I hope so. It would be nice having extra cash and not having to ask my parents for money like a baby," Davis said.
"Speaking of new job, Tai- did you get a job at the makeup store? Cause your makeup is looking snatched!" Mimi smiled.
"Why yes, yes I did!" Tai winked.