Ascension of the Spirit.
Part 2
By Hellhoundess
The familiar glow of the 24-7 Mart greeted him as he trudged down the sidewalk and pushed the door open, greeted by harsh lighting and a shrill little bell-like imitation given off by the motion sensors. This week's new cashier was preoccupied with another customer so he made his way back to the back of the store and loaded up with fudge-pops, a quart of milk, and some chips before passing the Brainfreezy machine with a longing look. Sadly despite his various (and often bloody complaints) they still shut the machine down at 2AM, a decidedly inconvient hour for an insomniac.
Dressed all in black, supposedly another participant in the pointless tradition of Halloween, the customer infront of him was involved in a heated discussion with the fellow running the check out. Nny made an effort never to easedrop on the convesations of others since he considered it disrespectful and was too often a recipiant of profound disrespect unless, A. The conversation was obviously a twittering mornic commentary on his own appearance and wardrobe, or B. One of the conversationslists said something so utterly stupid and narrow-minded he couldn't allow it to pass (like that dreaded WACKY word. Ugh.). However, on this occasion he found he couldn't completely shut out the rising voices and caught the dark-clad figure snapping in a mask muffled voice,"No, I really don't understand! I mean it IS open 24/7 as per the name implies so why would you shut off the machines at any time? I mean do you think hunger and thirst take a break after 2AM? That no one ever gets cravings? Why do you think I even bothered to walk down here?"
"Look, man, what can I say? It's store policy, the machines go off at 2:00. So you gonna pay for those nachos or what?" The clerk asked with heavy lidded, unconcerned eyes, his mind wandering to when his shift got off.
"Well it's a lame policy, MAN," the person replied pointedly before removing the full-head covering helmet and shaking out shoulder length auburn hair, her eyes narrowed in disgust. "There's a huge banner out there advertising a new flavor, all I wanted was to try it and you refuse to even offer the curtesey of getting off your large ass and turning the Brainfreezy machine back on for just a moment..."
Recovering from his startled miscalculation of sexes the clerk stammered,"Lady, I don't have to take this.."
She made a indignant sound then to his shock suddenly whirled to Nny and without pausing demanded,"Can you believe this guy? Do you think he's being even remotely reasonable? Seriously, I'm asking him to increase his own profits and he's too lazy or too concerned about the dime or so the extra electricity might cost to plug that thing back in for a moment to do his JOB and serve the customers!"
"I..um.."Nny blinked, caught offguard by the sudden interest in his opinion which seldom, no, never happened.
"Were you perhaps slightly annoyed at the ridiculous policy they're enforcing like it's a crime to want something cold and refreshing after 2:00 in the morning?" she asked without pausing for breath. He noted her pale face was getting redder with passion and frustration the longer she spoke and half wondered if he should warn her before a blood vessel popped in her forehead and spewed all over. Instead he nodded slightly, curious to see what would happen.
"See!" she crowed triumphantly, turning back to the clerk and leanning on the counter. "Now you have two customers who want a Brainfreezy. So are you going to turn the machine back on or what?"
He studied her irritably as if calculating how best to get rid of her then finally decided that giving into her demand would be quicker and require less unnecissary thought to come up with retorts and heaved himself off the stool he'd been parked on, grumbling sulkily as he stomped back and turned on the machine for them.
Lifting her chin, the polished helmet, which was vaguely skull looking to Nny, tucked under one arm she marched back with a victorious little smirk and got two extra large stroform cups. Now that he looked he could infact see that there really had been a new flavor added to the machine. Crowded in beside Frosty Peanut, Cherry Doom, and Icy Ham was now Chocolate Bubblegum with which the persistant girl was now filling one cup. She snapped the plastic lid on, then for the second time that night surprised him by turning to him with a smile and asking what flavor he wanted. After he indicated the Cherry Doom she filled the second cup and handed it to him before briskly returning to the cash register.
feeling like he was drifting in a surreal dream Nny slowly followed her, watching with unusual interest as she paid for her purchases. She sat the nachos inside her helmet then balanced the Freezy on top of them, stepping out of his way as he pulled out a battered wallet he'd taken off one of his more recent victumes only to discover two crumpled one dollar bills inside. The clerk was already glaring at him for siding with the pushy girl and he considered just killing the bastard rather than explaining he didn't have enough when a slender, black gloved hand suddenly deposited a five on the counter covering his due. He raised an eyebrow at the girl who smiled and shrugged.
The cashier snorted and shoved her change back at her while Nny gathered his groceries and they walked out. Behind them he heard the rude employee mutter something about "psychos running in packs".