Spongebob zoned in and out of tending to the grill. He was watching the patties on the stovetop turn from a fleshy pink to a crimson red. The frycook knows he should flip soon but he can't seem to bring himself back from space to do it.
"SPONGEBOB I NEED THOSE ORDERS!"
The sponge groaned as he forced his hand to maneuver the patties around and start prepping the patty condiments.
He hasn't felt anything since last night. He hasn't told anyone either. Gary's gone. He really is. Memories came back from the aftermath where he had to pick apart the wood from the remnant slime and shell of his beloved pet and place it in a garbage bag. Spongebob found a grassy knoll just across the street from the pineapple where he buried Gary. To remember the spot, Spongebob spent half an hour pushing a three feet tall boulder on top of the grave site. It was big enough that he could see it from his bedroom window. Anyways, he said a little prayer and then started getting ready for work soon after. Hopefully no one disturbs the resting place.
"I will love you till the rock erodes away..."
Spongebob walked over to the prep table and organized buns on to plates and then brought them over to the grill. He slid up all four patties on the grill and threw them on their respective buns. The sponge walked back over to the table and started dressing them all. But before that, he slipped right into the freezer and dug out the old tequila bottle he had, now frosty and chilled his touch to the bone. A few glugs were shot down his throat.
"SPONGEBOB! ORDERS!"
Mr. Krabs hit the window frame a few more times while yelling. It was peak lunch rush and with only two of them, it was difficult to keep up. Spongebob hardly cared. But he needed to get his mind off things and try to just get through the next hour alive. Whatever that means.
The tipsy frycook finished garnishing the meals and slung them to the window sill hitting the bell with his spatula.
DING!
His aching hand reached over to another slip of paper and started glancing over the hurried writing.
"Two patties with cheese..."
He threw a few frozen patties on the grill an watched them simmer until he tunred around to prepare the fries and condiments. Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open with Mr. Krabs poking his head inside. When he met eyes with Spongebob he walked in and shut the door behind him. Spongebob stood by the fryers and stared at the crab like he grew a third leg. What the fuck was he doing back here in the middle of rush? The sound of oil bubbling was only second loudest to the humming of the crowd outside.
"There somethin' you need Mr. Krabs?"
Mr. Krabs rubbed his claws and then folded them behind him.
"Spongie boy...well uh..."
He glanced back at the kitchen window and then back towards the fry cook.
"Just telling yer that I'll be resuming my position at the office as of now..."
Spongebob raised and eyebrow. What? Whose manning the register? Theres been no word of Squidward being released. Right?
Unless...
Spongebob gasped
BANG BANG went the windowsill followed by a familiar nasally shrill.
"THREE KRABBY PATTY COMBOS HOLD ONE ONION!"
Mr. Krabs looked again at the window and back to the frycook and then to his office door. His stubby feet carried him the the doorframe before he said something. Spongebob took the fries off of the greaser and threw them on some plates.
"You sure you can do this boy-o?"
Spongebob set the baskets back into the fryer and went to pour more frozen fries in. The frozen foodstuff made a harsh sizzle when it made contact with the hot grease which then produced a cloud of vapor. He let the vapor run among his face and he felt his skin moisten. Spongebob felt the awkward silence had run long enough as Mr. Krabs hadn't bulged from his position so replied a
"Ya"
And carried on.
Throughout the day Spongebob would catch glimpses of the oval shaped head through the window. Sometimes an arm or a hand would pop in and out too. Not a word was exchanged throughout the rest of the rush and proceeding hours there after. Even behind a metallic wall the tension was felt thick and heavy like a tropical fog. Spongebob was doing anything to avoid going out to meet him. If there was a spill, Spongebob shoved a mop and bucket out the door and let Squidward handle it. If there was a redo, Squidward would put the food back in the window and say a brief correction.
"REDO. NO ONIONS AND PICKLES"
Even if he had to use the bathroom, Spongebob just went out back and pissed by the dumpster. But he can't avoid his neighbor forever.
What would he even say?
Sorry? Sorry you were put in the mental ward? Sorry for drugging you up for personal gain? Let's have coffee and tea...
Spongebob went to grill and checked the window for any orders.
"No...all good. Might as well take my break"
He walked into the office and breifly shouted at his crustacean boss.
"Going on break Mr. K..." he trailed of as he laid eyes on My Krabs conversing with Squidward. They both turned their heads sharply at the sponge as if they were being rudely interrupted.
Spongebob looked down at his shoes sheepishly.
"O-oh uhhh...sorry I-I'll just..." he shut the door in front of him and moved around to face his empty kitchen. The grill was sizzling at a low tone, waiting patiently for the next order to be cooked. The fry cook felt his heart beating faster in the name of anxiety. He pulled out a smoke and hung it in his mouth as he rushed outside. Catching the outdoor fresh air (water) in his lungs, he replaced it quickly with the harsh smoke from his lips. Letting the nicotine calm his nerves in this brief moment of sanity. He checked his phone again for any messages. Nothing from Sandy. Again. But his mom called him and left a text message.
"Hey sweetie just calling to check in...still wanting to make plans for us to see each other. Your dad and I miss you very much. Love you..."
Spongebob felt a deep sense of shame for this. He really should've been more attentive to his family relationships. He just...doesn't care too much. He loves them but he gets so exhausted around them. Spongebob replied a confirmation of getting back to her and with that he flung his cigarette butt out into the ground in front of him. He turned to enter the door just as Mr. Krabs walked out, forcing the sponge to back up, and then shut the door behind him.
"Excuse me..." Spongebob muttered before Mr. Krabs shook his head while holding his hands out.
"Spongebob I need to tell ya some news"
Spongebob felt and uneasiness in the pit of his stomach but didn't let it show on his face.
"What?"
"It's about Squidward..."
Mr. Krabs sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"Well we were just talkin' and he decided that needed to uh 'process things' and-"
"What? What is it?!" Spongebob demanded. It felt like he was being teased like a slow pull of a band-aid. Just rip it off already.
"Squidwards a quittin' the Krusty Krab, Spongebob"
The frycooks face went numb.
"What?! Why?!"
Mr. Krabs shook his head.
"C'mon boy-o you know why..." The boss looked back at the door.
"He's leavin' us in about two weeks. At least he had the courtesy to give me some time to get a new cashier"
He faced Spongebob again.
"You really fucked this up for me Spongebob"
Spongebob scoffed.
"How the hell are you making this about you? You selfish bastard..."
Mr. Krabs furrowed his eyebrows and and shook his head.
"No Sponge no, you don't understand that this whole little drama of yours IS effecting me greatly..."
"I don't see what the hell even is the problem? You hate Squidward and so does most of the world. Who the fuck cares he going? You can get a newer AND better cashier now that he left."
The boss looked visibly upset at this comment.
"Spongebob...he was me loyal cashier of nearly TWENTY years!"
Spongbob smacked his lips and crossed his arms.
Mr. Krabs grabbed a hold of the frail sponge's shoulders.
"Listen here you shit- Argh!"
He let go suddenly and went to straighten out his back.
"Stupid fuckin' sciatica.."
The crab peered back at the now more intimidated sponge
"You're fucking with my money Spongebob! Do you understand anything at all on how this shit works? I have worked me ASS out of childhood poverty, through the navy, and work hard enough to finally get where I am at today..."
He paused to collect himself emotionally, wiping an eye, and then continued.
"I have owned this restaurant for nearly THIRTY years, Spongebob. I have put my blood, my savings, and my entire life into this fucking place! I have a girl in college! I have sacrificed EVERYTHING in me life for me to be where I'm at and for Pearl to have a good life!"
Spongebob was still crossing his arms. He noticed Mr. Krabs becoming more angry at him and was too afraid to even unravel himself. Mr. Krabs pointed a finger in his employee's chest.
"YOU have had everything handed to you in your life I just KNOW IT! Happy middle-class suburban life, two loving parents, and a nice little nest egg for you to fall back on huh? Is that why you've lost the meaning of ambition Spongebob? Of guts? Hard-work? You think everyhting would just magically fall into place for ya? You think my life doesn't matter as long as you're happy? Hm? You one of THEM people who thinks nothing actually matters beside personal benefit? HUH SPONGEBOB?!
Spongebob opened his mouth to speak but the fear and confusion in him gripped the sides of his throat. What the hell was his boss going on about? Is this still about Squidward?
"Spongebob..." Mr. Krabs continued now much calmer. His eyes looked more defeated as he spoke.
"This business means everything to me. This side hustle I got going on is for the extra cash. Pearl's college and what not. But ye got my two lives mixed up. I had a great system where everything was left in different worlds but now ye fucked it up for me..."
Spongebob shook his head upon hearing this. Gaining courage.
"You act so fucking innocent, Eugene. Can't you see your hand in this too? You yourself doped me up all these years and seemed to have never thought twice about it"
Mr. Krabs breathed in with his nose sharply and turned his back against the door.
"Maybe that wasn't thee best idea sure but there wasn't anything inherently malicious of THAT, Spongebob"
Spongebob threw his hands up.
"HOW THE FUCK is that not malicious intent? You got me hooked and wanted me that way so you could make some more money off me! Hell! You basically got HALF MY PAYCHECK THAT YOU SIGNED OFF"
The old boss laughed to himself as he shook his head.
"It ain't my fault that you were a junkie...it's called self-control..."
"BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER! You were using me!"
Mr. Krabs inched close to this abrasive sponge and articulated his words.
"Hey! I AIN'T THE ONE who tricked a man into ADDICTION Spongieboy...I am HONEST with my own clients and give them proper harm reduction and FOREWARNINGS"
He took in an inhale before continuing.
"I DIDN'T FUCK A MANS LIFE UP INTENTIONALLY SPONGEBOB! That's the difference between me and YOU!"
Mr. Krabs threw his fist into the metal door and whole world shook for a second. Or so it felt like.
Mr. Krabs started breathing heavy out of his mouth as he looked at Spongebob. Drool was dribbling on the corners of his mouth. His eyes seem sunken in. The age of his years and the stress of both of his jobs had done a number on him. Life has been trying to kill him for the longest but Mr. Krabs has always come up on top. His wrinkles proved this.
Spongebob froze up. What the fuck else is there to say? Squidward's quitting big whoop. He was always bitching about work anyways. Now he himself is getting the full blame? Sure it's understandable to an extent but for his own boss to act like a crybaby about it and make it about him? The hell? He met Mr. Krabs's gaze and felt a bit intimidated. He seemed really hurt and pissed off...maybe it's best to leave.
"Well...uh...I gotta get back to grilling..." Spongebob awkwardly maneuvered between his boss and the door, feeling relief as he gripped the handle and swung it open to the world of his kitchen. He heard Mr. Krabs sigh and hit the wall again as the door shut behind himself.
"What's the fucking big deal?" Spongebob muttered to himself.
"He's finally getting rid of his most hated employee...he honestly should be thanking me"
Despite these words, there was still that pit of unfamiliarity in his stomach. It was sharp and fierce. Spongebob could feel the guilt crawling up his chest and taking aim for his head.