Challenge 5: Spellbound

BRRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG!

The bell rang loudly, its shrill sound echoing the halls and classrooms to signal the end of another school day. Students ran, squeezed, and pushed their way out the front door, all eager to get home. Harold walked down the stairs with Stinky and Sid, the boys all anxious to leave school.

Stinky said, "I'm going to the arcade and hang out all afternoon. What are y'all fellers gonna do?"

Sid answered, "I'm going to the pond with Sidney and splash around with the other frogs." Sid turned to Harold as they hopped to the bottom of the stairs. "What are you going to do, Harold?"

"I'm going to work at Green Meats for the afternoon," bragged Harold to his friends as they began to walk down the street.

"Boy howdy, that's sounds cool," Sid said with enthusiasm.

"Gee wilikers Harold, that's purty cool that you got's yourself a job. You get to earn money," started Stinky.

"And use the cash register," added Sid.

"And be around meat all day," finished Stinky. "It must be an easy job for you Harold."

Harold laughed, then said, "You know it is. I could probably run the butcher shop all by myself." They reached the door and display window to Green Meats, and Harold said goodbye to his friends. He opened the door to the shop, and took a DEEP breath.

The shop smelled of filet mignon, T-bone steaks, sausage, ham, and every other kind of meat one could even begin to imagine. He was spellbound with the shop, and he never would wish to work anywhere else. Harold lifted the shelf that separated the counter and went into the back room, not seeing his boss anywhere. He grabbed his apron and replaced his cap with his white worker's hat. He washed his hands and dried them off, finally good to go.

He yelled out, "Mr. Green, I'm ready for today's work. Is there anything I can start on?" But no answer came from anywhere in the shop. Harold wondered where Mr. Green was. He checked around the back room and in the freezer, both empty of his boss. As he closed the door to the freezer, he noticed a note addressed to him. He took it off the door and read it.

Harold,

I have left to collect some important papers for the shop. I will be gone for a little while, and you are to be in charge of the shop while I'm gone.

There is supposed to be a shipment of meat to arrive sometime this afternoon. Please make sure to put the meat away and to watch over the shop while I'm gone. If any customers show up, take care of them.

This is important Harold, and I am counting on you to NOT screw this up. Remember what I've taught you and THINK before you do something.

Mr. Green

Harold dropped the note, stunned. HE was now in charge of the shop! He jumped into the air, cheering. He knew this was a huge responsibility, but he knew he could do it. Harold burst into the front of the shop and stood behind the counter. His newly received power rushed through him, making him jittery and unable to stand still.

To take his mind off waiting, he rushed to the back of the shop to check for a delivery truck. When he found none, he raced back to the front of the shop. No customers were waiting.

The minutes ticked by slowly, with no sign of any customers or deliveries. Harold soon became bored, and tried to find something to occupy his time.

He whined. "This isn't fun! I'm SOOOOOOOO BORRRRRED! And I'm starting to get hungry." Suddenly a customer came in. He sat up and fixed his hat. He spoke up, "Welcome to Green Meats! I'm Harold, how can I help you?"

The woman in front of Harold was of medium height, had glasses, shoulder length blonde hair, and seemed to forget why she came into the shop in the first place. She looked familiar, but Harold couldn't remember who she was. The woman approached the counter and said, "Umm. I'd liiiike, no. B said he wanted some steak for dinnnnner. So I guess I'll, no. I'll get some of that." She finally pointed to some T-bones. Harold reached in and grabbed 3 steaks and wrapped them up. He put the amount into the register and the price flashed onto the monitor.

The woman grabbed below her shoulder, only to reach air. She looks and says, "Ohhh, silly me. I must have forgotten my purse at home. Could I just pick those up later?"

"I guess. I'll keep them aside for you," answered Harold. The woman left the store, only for 2 more to replace her. Harold was excited to finally be able to do some work. But soon the shop filled with customers, everyone demanding Harold's attention and wanting their order immediately. Harold found himself overwhelmed, and he struggled to keep up.

"Oh, I don't want to run the shop anymore. I wish Mr. Green came soon." The door opened again, and in came Mr. Green in a suit and tie. He came to the front. Harold had never been more excited to see him.

"Well, I see we have a meat rush, huh Harold? Let's get to work." Mr. Green called everyone's attention and asked for their patience as he got ready. After a few grumbles, the small crowd calmed down a little, and Mr. Green changed into his uniform.

Harold and Mr. Green were able to subdue and disperse the crowd with their orders, and Harold took a moment to check the back. The delivery truck had just pulled in, and Harold collected, inspected, and signed for the food. He placed it in the freezer in the proper places while Mr. Green watched with pride.

When he was done, Harold called to Mr. Green, "I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Green." As he opened the door, Mr. Green called him back inside.

"How did you like watching the shop Harold?"

Harold was unsure how to answer. A moment of silence fell. Then he cleared his throat and said, "I thought it was too much for me Mr. Green. I don't think I can run it by myself, not yet."

Mr. Green nodded. He replied, "Well Harold, I have to say. You seemed to do a pretty good job while I was gone. The place is still standing after all," joked Mr. Green. Harold laughed a little, and then said, "What important papers did you need to collect for the shop, Mr. Green?"

Mr. Green smiled. "Well actually Harold, that is exactly why I called you back inside." He reached into his apron pocket and pulled out a key. He tossed the key to Harold. "Running the shop for your first time was my little initiation. You no longer are my apprentice. You've 'graduated', so to speak."

Harold's eyes lit up at his boss' words, but Mr. Green continued, "As such, I'm going to call on you to run the shop more often, and you will be in charge of closing it up sometimes. With these," Mr. Green pulled out some papers from his apron, "you are now an official employee of Green Meats. And when I retire…" Mr. Green smiled at the young boy. "you might take over the shop for me. If you want…" Mr. Green stopped talking as Harold tackled him into a bear hug.

Mr. Green stood for a moment, listening to Harold's excited thanks spill out of his mouth. He finally pulled Harold off of him, telling him to get on home.

Harold left the shop and once again jumped into the air cheering. He would take over the shop someday! He was finally a butcher! He ran all the way home to tell his mother the news, feeling unstoppable.