When it rains it pours I guess. I finally got the motivation to write and this chapter is actually somewhat substantial. Thanks again for all the support enjoy.
According to the sign suction cupped to the glass on the front door the place was open. Logan cautiously pulled open the door and a bell rang as he stepped inside.
In front of him was a cluttered reception desk and behind it a messy bookshelf that rose to the ceiling. Books and office supplies littered the shelves. To the right was the photo studio. A snowy christmas backdrop was currently set up. A little christmas tree and presents rest on an ornate rug sitting in front of the festive backdrop. A couple of disorganized racks hung tiny costumes and random props littered the room. Logan walked up to the desk.
"Excuse me?" asked Logan making sure his voice would be heard outside the room. "One moment please" Logan heard above him followed by footsteps. A door in-between reception and the studio opened.
A smallish balding man in his mid-forties appeared and walked up to Logan. "All holiday photoshoots are 50% off" he announces. "What can I help you with today?" he asks politely.
"No thanks I'm here hoping to answer your help wanted sign" Logan explains.
"Oh, that" comments the man. "Great, that thing's been up for a few weeks now and no one's come in about it" he glows. "The job's your's".
"Don't you want my resume?" asks Logan.
"Not really I just need someone to run reception for me while I'm in the studio, make some flyers, spread them around town, that kind of thing" he explains.
"Oh" says Logan slightly deflated.
"What were you expecting?" asks the man.
"I don't really know" confesses Logan. "I just graduated from business school at NYU and I was hoping to kind of help you fix up your business"
"That would be great actually. I've been having a hard time staying open" says the man.
"Really?" asks Logan.
"Sure, but you'd have to do the reception jobs as well because I can't afford to hire another person" points out the man.
"Of course sir" agrees Logan.
"Charles Wurther" says the man shaking Logan's hand. "But call me Charlie".
"Logan Bush" says Logan.
"So with your expertise what do you suggest Logan?" asks Charlie.
Logan looks around the room. "First we should clean out the store" answers Logan. "It's part of a potential client's first impressions of the business so we want it to be positive" he elaborates.
"I knew that was coming" laughs Charlie. "I'm just a photographer, been one for 20 years not much of a business owner though. I used to work for a company that did family photoshoots but my real muse is animals" he explains.
"Speaking of muses, Rosie" calls Charlie. The sound of nails on hardwood gets louder until a huge white standard poodle runs up to Charlie. "Logan meet Rosie" introduces Charlie. Logan scratches her on the head as she licks Logan's other hand. "After working there for a while and inheriting some money I was able to start this place up a month ago" Charlie continues. "Now lets get to work" says Charlie excitedly.
Logan and Charlie had been organizing the store for hours. Despite it being a lot of work Logan didn't mind it that much. Charlie was fun to talk to and Rosie keep them company. When it started getting dark outside Charlie called in quits.
"I think we're done for the day Logan" declares Charlie.
"I guess you're right" agrees Logan surveying their work.
The place was almost unrecognizable. All the props were properly organized in the studio's back closet, the costumes neatly hung on the racks lined up next to a summer back drop. The reception area was now pristine. The surface of the desk was visible and the bookshelf was organized. In the window was a new display of a mock studio set complete with a mannequin dog wearing sunglasses positioned in front of an old camera.
"Thanks Logan the place looks great" praises Charlie. "This should really boost business"
"This is just the beginning Charlie" says Logan proudly. "Now we need to spread the word about your business" explains Logan.
"Looking forward to it" says Charlie. "You must be starving lets grab something for dinner I'm buying" offers Charlie generously.
"You don't have to Charlie I should probably head home" says Logan politely.
"Come on Logan there's this great burger place next door, you earned it" persists Charlie.
"If you insist" agrees Logan with a smirk.
It had been Louise's second day back at the restaurant. The day after Gene Tina and Louise went to the movies Bob told her that it was time for her to return to reality. At first Louise was annoyed to be working again but she quickly got over it when she realized it was the perfect distraction from her feelings. It was about an hour before they closed so business had slowed down. The restaurant was empty except for a small group of teens from out of town sitting at the back table.
Linda was helping Bob clean up kitchen in the back so Louise manned the register. Tina was hanging out with friends and Gene was upstairs watching reruns of Dancing with the Stars calling it his "me time".
Louise was thinking about what she could do with the reminder of the night after they closed when the bell on the door rang. Louise turned her head to see Charlie the current owner of the pet photography place next door and Logan…. Louise groaned out loud. Great just what I need she thought.
"Good evening Louise" greets Charlie.
"Hi" she responds halfheartedly.
"How was business today?" asks Charlie courteously.
"Fine" she answers.
"Glad to hear it. I'll have the usual" states Charlie cheerfully. "Oh and put whatever he wants on my bill" says Charlie heading over to an empty booth.
"Hey babe" says Logan with a grin.
"How do you know Charlie?" asks Louise annoyed.
"He's my new boss" says Logan cockily.
"What?" asks Louise startled.
"Yep I just started today. I'll have a regular burger and fries with a Coke by the way. Thanks Babe" says Logan with a smirk as he walks over to Charlie's booth.
Louise messily wrote down Charlie and Logan's order on a pad of paper, angrily ripping off the top sheet and sticking it with past orders.
"Thank you" says Linda grabbing the paper. "You ok Louise? You seem upset" comments Linda. "Oh this is Charlie's order" she says animatedly while reading the order. She sticks her head out of the kitchen window searching for him."Hi Charlie!" says Linda loudly.
"Hello Linda" responds Charlie happily. "Oh Logan's sitting with him I wonder why" says Linda. "Hi Logan" greets Linda brashly.
"Hi" responds Logan giving a quick wave.
"Oh that must be why you're upset" realizes Linda.
Louise nods. "He works next door now" Louise says tightly.
"Good for Charlie getting some help running the place. Him and Rosie could use the company." chatters Linda as she walks back to the kitchen.
Louise went to the soda dispenser to get Logan and Charlie's drinks. The thought that she was serving Logan made her want to barf. Wordlessly Louise sets the drinks down on Charlie and Logan's table.
"Thanks" says Charlie kindly.
"Yes thank you so very much" says Logan his voice dripping with insincere sweetness.
Louise walked back to the counter and sat down on her stool by the register waiting for the night to end.
"Order up" sings Linda 10 minutes later. Louise retrieves the orders from the window and sets it down on the table.
"Enjoy" she says emotionlessly retreating back to the counter before Logan could comment.
20 minutes later Logan and Charlie get up from the booth and walk to the door.
"Have a good night everyone" says Charlie as he walks outside.
"See you around babe" says Logan confidently, following Charlie outside. Louise slams her head down on the counter.
"Thanks for everything Charlie" says Logan gratefully outside of the restaurant.
"It's nothing" replies Charlie modestly.
"I guess I should be heading home. My mom isn't going to be happy with me" says Logan. While working on the store Logan told Charlie about his situation. "Maybe getting my own apartment would help" says Logan thinking out loud.
Charlie was starting to see himself in Logan and was beginning to care about him."You know Logan I live above my business. Rosie and I live on the second floor and I use the third one mostly for storage. I could rent it out to you to live in if you want" offers Charlie.
"Really?" asks Logan shocked.
"Sure I can even cut down on the rent a little bit since you're an employee" suggests Charlie.
"That would be amazing when could I move in?" asks Logan eagerly.
"Tomorrow after work if you help me move stuff around up there" answers Charlie.
"That's perfect thank you so much" says Logan excitedly. He was finally doing things his way.