Amphibia: Starting Over
Part 1 Chapter 3
Now Hiring
It was the first day of Riff, Charles, and Levi's new lives in the world of Amphibia. Just yesterday they discovered that they had been presumed dead by the world, entered another world populated by frogs, toads, and newts, and decided to start their lives all over again to stay safe from a psychopath hunting down one of the boys. There was a lot of stuff to get used to and they were excited to start. Riff was sleeping peacefully in his new apartment when suddenly…
(AIR HORN)
Riff suddenly jolted awake in fear over the air horn. When he looked to his left, he saw Charles and Levi snickering with Levi the one holding the air horn.
"Morning Riff!" Charles loudly said.
"Was that really necessary?" Riff asked.
"Absolutely" Levi answered right before he and Charles high-fived.
"Wait, how did you get into my unit?"
"You forgot to lock it last night"
Riff groaned as he tried to go back to sleep. He was used to getting up early thanks to college but since Amphibia is a southern hemisphere dimension, time was 12 hours ahead so if it was morning on Earth, it was night in Amphibia. So he had a rough sleep last night.
"Five more minutes, you guys," Riff told them tiredly.
"Alright, but remember, we are job hunting today so we can make a living in this strange world" Charles responded still smirking.
He and Levi left to go into town and after ten minutes, Riff got out of bed. His sleep attire was a white singlet and dark purple shorts. He took a few minutes to compensate for everything that had happened. None of yesterday was a dream, they were believed dead by the world, Amphibia was real and it was their new home. Riff was happy that he was able to get back in touch with his dad and informed him of the situation he was in and was relieved that he was willing to help him stay hidden. Despite feeling guilty for not coming back, it was something he had to do. He eventually got changed into his everyday attire and left his apartment to head into Wartwood.
When he got to Wartwood, there was already a few eyes directed at him. Being human has turned him, Charles and Levi, into minor celebrities. But despite being flattered at the attention, Riff ignored it and went over to the others.
"So, where are you guys thinking of going?" he asked.
"I'm not sure, there certainly are some choices here, everything seems identical to what I'm used to on Earth," Levi responded.
"Do you guys have any experience?"
"I do actually, I did some work experience at a café"
"And how did that go?"
"Well…"
(Flashback)
Levi is washing dishes at a local café when he accidentally drops one of the plates, breaking it.
"Sorry!" he exclaims.
Later, he tries making coffee with a complicated coffee machine only to burn his fingers when he tries moving the frother of the machine away from the cup, screaming in agony.
Toward the end of the day, he's at the cash register but screws up and in a fit of rage, moves the cash register, only for it to fall on the floor, breaking and leaking all the cash. And to make matters worse, the customers noticed and decided to take the money instead of helping.
(End Of Flashback)
"Let's just say, I'm not café material" he explained with a look of guilt and nerve.
"Ok, you guys sort out your situation, I'm just going to go over to the Grub & Go and see if they are hiring," Charles said before walking over to the Grub & Go supermarket. The store had a white brick exterior with a yellow thatch roof that had a stone chimney and the store's logo on it; a caterpillar-shaped green sign spelling "Grub" with a smaller blue sign saying "& Go" on it. There were fruit stalls on the front veranda.
"Would you like some help to find what you're good at to make this job hunt easier?" Riff asked Levi as he feared his café experience could make it harder for him to get hired.
"I appreciate it, but you need to find work too, so at the moment, unless I'm really struggling, I'll be fine" Levi answered.
"Suit yourself"
And with that, Levi left and Riff was on his own, but not for long.
"Riff!"
Riff turned around to see Polly walking over to greet him.
"Hey, Polly, how are you?"
"I'm doing alright, thank you. What are you up to?"
"At the moment, the guys and I are job hunting to make a living."
"How about you come with me? We could use some help with the stand"
"You know, back home, I did have a job as a cashier at a restaurant. That sounds like a good idea. Count me in!"
"Brilliant! Follow me"
Riff followed Polly as they were on their way to the market.
A few minutes later, they arrived. The farmer's market was rather large with few stalls selling everything from bakery goods to expensive jellies that can easily be mistaken for free samples. When they got to the Plantars stand, Riff saw it was a vegetable stand selling onions, cucumbers, gourds that may or may not have a giant maggot in them, and avocados that even had a label on their stall called 'Hop Pop's California Avocados'.
"Hey, Plantars. Polly told me you guys could use some help with your stand?" Riff asked the rest of the Plantars, Sprig and Hopediah.
"Hi, Riff. You are correct. The avocados are being sold as always." Hop Pop answered.
"Perfect, someone to cover for me!" Sprig exclaimed.
"Really?" Riff said with a look that said: 'Do I look like an idiot?'.
"I'm joking"
"Good thing too, boy. We still need to make a living in our lives; no matter how old we are or how much we make." Hop Pop told Sprig.
He then turned to Riff.
"Why don't you help make some gourd juices? All you need to do is slice the gourd in half, check if there's a giant maggot in them, and then squeeze the juice out of the gourds into bottles."
"I do love juice."
Riff then went over to the wooden basket of gourds labelled 'Juice Gourds'. He took a gourd and followed the instructions Hop Pop gave him. He cut it in half, checked for maggots which there weren't, and squeezed the juice into the bottle. As he was doing it, he started to ask himself: "I wonder how the others are doing?"
Meanwhile, Charles was at Grub & Go inside the manager's office. The manager was green with a lighter underbelly, wearing a grey shirt with a pin that said 'manager' on it.
"So you think you got what it takes?" the manager asked Charles at his oak wooden desk.
"I'll tell you what I got: the guts to pull off a better job than you" Charles responded. He had immediately lost interest in working at a grocery store and was trying to fail the interview to find a different more interesting job.
The manager looked stern as he said: "Nobody's ever talked to me like that before"
"That's cause everyone working here already proved that you are inferior to them"
There was a moment of silence as the manager said two words Charles never expected from his responses.
"You're hired"
"Shit"
Back at the market, Sprig was helping Riff with the juice bottles.
"Wanna hear a funny story about these juices?" Sprig asked Riff as he squeezed the juice out of the gourds into the bottles.
"Tell me" Riff responded.
"Back when Anne was still here, the rent was increased and Hop Pop tried to make a profit by making these juices. He called them Plantar's Potions and he spread lies about what they did to you so others would pay their high price. He got so greedy that when we were out of gourds, he used actual garbage instead and sold them for 20 coppers!"
"Twenty coppers for trash slime?!" Riff exclaimed with a dumbfounded and shocked expression.
"Yeah! But he soon realised the family's honesty streak and eventually came clean. We gave refunds to everyone who bought the potions and we ended up losing the stand and the town's trust for a while. Hop Pop tried running for mayor and while he failed, he showed so much compassion and trust that the town made a new stand for us." Sprig finished the story with pride.
"Woah" Riff responded with wonder and interest.
"Yep, this stand isn't gone until I'm gone" Hop Pop joined in on the conversation.
"Really? Sprig and Polly aren't going to continue running it?" Riff asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I want my grandkids to follow their passion. Polly for example is already doing well with her inventions, and she's 15!" Hop Pop told Riff. Polly overheard them and gave them a proud smile.
"I meanwhile, plan to run a museum focusing on the human world in the capital of Amphibia: Newtopia. And in my free time, I have some adventures wherever I can. I can take you with me sometime!"
"Sounds like fun" Riff agreed.
He and Sprig continued to make some gourd juice when Levi walked in front of the stand.
"Hey, Levi. How's the job hunting going?" Riff asked.
"Eh, it's not as bad as I thought. I found a spa that they said was hiring and I managed to score an interview."
"Nice!"
"Yeah, they said to come in whenever I'm ready and that's why I'm here. I need your help. I'm starting to get cold feet. This interview determines my financial situation and I don't want to mess it up"
"No worries, I can help. Hey, Plantars, you guys can continue without me, right?" Riff asked the Plantars.
"We sure are, Riff. Thanks for helping" Hop Pop answered.
"No worries, Hopediah"
Riff and Levi left the stand so that Riff could help Levi with his interview.
"You know, I think they're gonna do just fine here," Polly said.
"Me too, Polly. Me too" Sprig replied in agreement.
A few minutes later, Riff and Levi were in front of the spa to prep for his interview.
"Okay, Levi. You gotta make sure there are no distractions. So turn off your phone. In fact, give me your phone in the meantime." Riff told him.
Levi was hesitant but gave his black cover phone to Riff.
"Hey, guys, what's going on?" Charles greeted the other as he walked over to them.
"Hi, Charles" Riff greeted back.
"How was your interview?" Levi then asked.
"I was giving insults to try to fail the interview because I was immediately uninterested. But it didn't work. In fact, it immediately got me hired."
Needless to say, Riff and Levi were wide-eyed and eyebrow-raised at what Charles had explained to them. The look in his eyes and the way his eyebrows were positioned told them he wasn't lying.
"I don't know whether or not to be concerned, impressed, or amused," Levi said.
"Yeah, I am so confused." Riff said in agreement.
"Anyways, what are you guys doing?" Charles asked.
"Oh, I'm helping Levi do well in his interview to get a job at the spa"
"Nice! I love the spa!"
"Really?" Levi asked.
"Yeah! What position are you applying for?"
"It's just as an assistant. It's nothing that special"
"Still cool"
"Actually, Charles, do you mind helping too?" Riff asked Charles.
"I don't see why not"
"Great!" Riff replied before turning back to Levi.
(Play music: Working for the Weekend - Loverboy)
"Make sure you have knowledge of your position. When you get the appropriate chance, let the interviewer know the tasks that you will likely end up doing"
Riff had Levi do a spa quiz with Charles. The questions that Charles was asking ranged from obvious to completely ridiculous.
"What do they put over the customers' eyes?" Charles asked.
"Sliced cucumbers!" Levi responded.
"What temperature is our saunas?"
"Around 150° Fahrenheit!"
"Are you planning to go on strike in the future?"
"Wait what kind of question is that?"
"Are you planning to go on strike in the future?"
"NO!"
Levi was able to keep eye contact and speak fluently without any studders or pauses. Needless to say, Riff and Charles were impressed. Levi was given back his phone to get more advanced knowledge of what the staff of spas do. Ranging from massages, cleaning, setting the scene, and more. Though the website he tapped on, needless to say, wasn't safe for work. Nevertheless, he knew what was necessary.
(End song)
"Alright, Levi. I think you're ready! Dare I say it: you got this in the bag!"
"I hope so. Thanks for the help, guys" Levi thanked them.
"No worries. Now get this job!" Charles exclaimed.
And just like that, Levi went into the spa for his interview. The spa was a stone-carved building with a wooden double door entrance shaped like the top of an Arabian pillar with purple framed glass. The walkway had fancy carved patterns with rivers on each side holding lily pads, growing grass and at times, even customers. At the end of the sides were frog statues in different poses with some having water coming out from the river. There were also crystal lights on the walkway and hanging from the roof like a singular chandelier. At the end of the front room was a mural with four purple frogs with long red hair, two holding each other, one in white clothing, and another covering her top half. Each frog was in different poses and was set in a swamp-like setting.
Levi walked up to the spa's receptionist who was green with a lighter chin but was wearing white clothing all over holding xylophone mallets. The desk had a stone stand with a wooden top that had a wooden six-noted xylophone on it. There were two short stone pillars on each side that had mini golden frog figures.
"Hi, I'm ready for my interview," Levi told the receptionist.
"Of course, sir. (Plays the xylophone) Just the door (Plays the xylophone again) to your right" the receptionist replied before lifting the closest frog figure to his right revealing a tiny bell that he rang with his mallet.
Levi looks over to the door seeing that it was tiny.
"Oh boy" Levi groaned.
Meanwhile, Riff and Charles were walking around Wartwood looking around at their brand-new surroundings.
"Did you ever think that we would end up in a world, unlike anything we've ever seen?" Riff asked Charles.
"Really, you're still geeking out about that?" Charles asked back.
"Of course I am! You, Levi and I are the second set of humans to set foot on Amphibia. I don't know about you two, but this is insane"
"Okay, I admit, it is exciting"
After a few seconds of silence, Riff started to realise something that gave him cold feet. His dad, and possibly the rest of his family was understanding of his situation, but he never learnt what Charles and Levi's folks thought.
"Hey, um… You told your folks about your decision, right?" Riff asked.
Charles knew that question would be asked eventually, and he answered: "I did"
"How did they take it?"
"Not very well. They understood why, but my parents were angry with me because I could've just hidden out at their place. They were especially pissed because I never told them about the incident and that they could've helped me."
Riff listened with worry and started to feel worse for Charles's predicament which ultimately led to the two of them alongside Levi moving to Amphibia.
"Listen, whatever happened that caused all of this to happen, isn't your fault. You did the right thing telling that girl to get away from that guy. You risked your life for hers and if that isn't a good deed, I don't know what is" Riff responded to Charles who looked over and smiled.
"Anyways, I'm gonna go over to that diner and see if they need any new employees".
"Alright, see you around" Charles replied.
The two parted ways as Riff walked to a diner called Stumpy's Diner. The exterior looked like a giant wood chunk with windows carved out of it and a mini house on top of it with a beige moss roof and a window with stained patterned glass. There was a sign that read 'Stumpy's Diner' above the entrance that had an archway with a purple mushroom on top of its roof and doors that looked like they came from the old west.
Riff walked in and took a look at the interior which consisted of stoned floors, circular black lights with holes to provide lighting, wooden tables and seats around, and even a bar with mushroom seats. He walked around and noticed a help wanted sign on the bar counter. He saw this as the perfect opportunity.
He took a seat when Stumpy himself showed up. He was taller than the average Amphibian frog and was light blue with some scars around his body, and a tooth sticking out of his mouth. He wore a stained white shirt and chef's hat. Both of his hands and a leg were missing. His left hand was replaced with a spatula, his right hand with a cleaver, and his missing leg with a piece of wood.
"Hello, human. How can I help you?" Stumpy asked.
"Hi, you must be Stumpy?" Riff asked back.
"That I am"
"Perfect. I was wondering if I could-"
"Hi, there. I'm really really motivated! Really really positive! Really really high-energy! And would like to apply for the job!" said another male frog, interrupting Riff rudely. He was purple-skinned with brown parted hair and was wearing brown long pants, black shoes, and a rather flashy white shirt with a black bowtie.
"Um, excuse me, I was talking first. And funny you should say that because I'd also like to apply for the job."
"Well lads, I'm afraid I only have one opening. How about a competition to see who gets the job?" Stumpy asked the human and frog, wanting to make this more fun.
"Sounds like a great idea to me. Good luck" the frog told Riff holding his hand out for a handshake. Riff was about to accept it when the frog immediately swiped it away.
"Ooh, too slow. I think I'll call you molasses."
Riff was insulted as the frog walked away and into the kitchen.
"Molasses. Well, I think I'll call you something…slower than molasses, that's for sure" Riff quietly insulted back.
He was suddenly brought back to reality when he noticed Stumpy staring at him with a raised eyebrow.
"This isn't part of the competition, is it?"
Meanwhile, Charles was thinking of walking back to his apartment, when he noticed Levi walking over to him.
"Hey Levi, how'd it go?" Charles asked.
"I got hired surprisingly!" Levi responded.
"Wow! Congratulations dude!"
"Thanks!"
The two did a fist bump before Charles said: "This calls for a celebration!"
"How? We don't have money"
"Hmm, actually fair point"
"No worries," said Sprig as he walked over to the two humans with Ivy right next to him holding hands.
"We were just about to head over to Stumpy's Diner for some grub. Are you guys hungry? Food's on me!" Ivy asked.
Charles and Levi started to feel guilty. Sure they were honoured, but they didn't want the people of Wartwood to continuously shower them with gifts and royalty just because they were humans.
"You guys really don't have to do this for us" Levi clarified.
"You guys got jobs, right? You need to celebrate in one way or another. Just let us treat you this one time"
Needless to say, Sprig really was trying to be nice to them and Charles started to feel worse about rejecting their offer than taking them for granted.
"Ah, what the heck why not?" Charles eventually gave in.
After that, they all walked over to Stumpy's Diner and went over to a table. Charles and Levi sat on one side of the table while Sprig and Ivy sat on the other side.
"Don't you think it's weird that we were able to get hired on the same day?" Levi asked Charles.
"Eh, I choose not to think about it too much" Charles replied.
"Are we gonna wait long?" Levi then asked Sprig.
"We usually have to wait a few minutes, it'll go by fast" Sprig answered.
TEN MINUTES LATER
At this point, Charles was knocking on the table lightly with impatience and Levi was sliding off the seat.
"Ok, this is weird. He usually doesn't take this long, where is he?" Ivy asked.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Riff and the purple frog were in front of a sink full of dirty bowls and dishes. Stumpy then came in with sponges.
"Lads, your first task is to wash these dirty plates and dishes as fast as you can and as clean as you can. I'll be back in a bit to check your work. Good luck" Stumpy told the two contestants.
As soon as he left, Riff and the frog went as fast as they could squeezing each of their water eels at the dinnerware. After about 30 seconds, Riff's water eel started to act up.
"Hey, no fair! My eel hose is broken!" Riff complained before accidentally setting it off again and blasting the frog with water. "Oops, now my eel hose is broken."
The frog was soaking wet and was glaring at Riff in anger. He then took the sponge he was using and squeezed the soap inside it onto Riff's eyes.
"AHH! That burns!"
Back at the table, Stumpy was about to take the group's order when he heard Riff screaming in pain.
"I'll be right back, lads," he told them before walking away"
"OH COME ON!" Levi shouted.
The frog saw a bowl of slug gruel and threw it at Riff, covering him. Riff licked what was around his mouth.
"Hm, not bad," he said in surprise.
"Really? I thought you would hate that" the frog responded in confusion.
"Believe it or not I've had worse and I'm just as surprised as you are."
"Wow… I'm impressed. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure"
"Why are you trying to work here?"
"So I can support myself financially"
Suddenly the frog started to go from mad to guilty.
"Oh, right. I forgot you and your friends are new here."
"Hey, if anything. I'm just trying to make sure I don't need to hunt with bare fingers"
The two laughed it off before Riff spoke up again.
"Look, I'm sorry about all of this. This is my first day in Wartwood and I just wanted to make sure I was stable financially."
"No, I'm sorry, I forgot you were new to this world and I wasn't always the brightest frog growing up. I guess I still have some of that now"
"Even stevens?"
"Even stevens"
The two then shook hands in acceptance hoping to put that behind them.
"My name's Riff" he introduced himself properly to the frog.
"Skipper" the frog replied.
After a few seconds of silence, Stumpy came in and noticed the mess in the kitchen caused by Riff and Skipper. Needless to say, he wasn't happy.
"Well, seeing as you've used the water and the customer's gruel to make a mess in this room yourselves, I'm afraid neither of you gets the job," Stumpy told the boys.
"We're sorry, Stumpy. Does that make us banned?" Riff asked.
"No, but I'll need one of you to stay behind to clean up the mess."
"I'll do it." Skipper immediately offered to clean.
"Skipper, are you sure? I can help" Riff asked Skipper, not wanting him to entirely take the blame.
"It's okay, Riff. Trust me"
And just like that, Riff found himself walking out of the kitchen. Deep down, he really didn't want Skipper to be alone in the punishment. But he wanted to respect his choices and he eventually agreed to let him take one for the team.
"Hey, Riff!"
Riff looked over and saw Charles and Levi sitting at a table with Sprig and Ivy.
"Hey, guys. So uh, the hunting was a bust." Riff told the others.
"All good. We have room for one more if you want to join us." Ivy told Riff with sincerity.
Riff was hesitant. He had thought about it, and he was about to say no. But he sees Charles and Levi give him a look of hope, making him realise that settling into a new home takes time, and even though Charles and Levi managed to find work, they still have a lot to learn about Amphibia. Eventually, Riff gave them an answer.
"Sure, why not"
And so, Riff sat down on the same side as Charles and Levi.
"Today's been a weird first day. One minute I had an enemy, the next we made up. It's like everything moving so fast, it makes no sense"
"We thought the same thing when we got hired just hours apart from each other" Levi then told him.
"Well, I'm happy you were able to get your job. Looks like it'll be a while before my opportunity arrives"
"Oh, that reminds me," Sprig said as he reached into his pocket to reveal a small bag and gave it to Riff. He looked inside and saw a few copper coins.
"Are you sure, Sprig? I don't want to feel like a freeloader" Riff asked with uncertainty.
"Riff, you chose to help us at the stand today. That doesn't make you a freeloader. This is our way of showing our gratitude" Sprig clarified to Riff.
Hearing that made Riff feel much better. He didn't want to be anything but a target for help, especially since his first month of staying in his apartment was on the house by the Plantars to help him get started and settle in properly. But there are times when he really does need support. After all, he had the rest of the month to find work. Or maybe he did find his work after all.
"If it's not a bother, is it okay if I continue to work at the stand for a while?" Riff asked Sprig.
"Are you kidding? Of course! Welcome aboard!" Sprig immediately replied with excitement.
This allowed Riff to smile with relief.
After spending time with Charles, Levi, Sprig and Ivy at the diner, Riff decided to call it a day. He entered his apartment and went into his room where he flopped on the bed. After a few minutes of lying there, he took out his phone and opened his messages. He tapped on his messages to his dad and sent him a message.
"Good news, I found a job at a vegetable stand"
After a few more minutes of lying on his bed, he got a message back.
"Well done, son!"
After reading it, Riff smiled. He then texted a question he had been dying to ask.
"Have you told Wyatt and Vera about my survival and home yet?"
Wyatt and Vera were his younger brother and sister, respectively. As desperate as Riff was to get a response to that question, he hit him hard inside. He and his siblings were really close and he missed them every day he was at college. He especially missed them today because he was instead in another dimension and even though it is still possible to get in touch with them, it was all he could do. He eventually got the response he was hoping for.
"I have and I have never seen your siblings this happy in a long time"
Reading that text almost had Riff crying. Though a tear did escape from his eye. He sent one last text before turning his phone off.
"I'll reach out to them eventually, I promise"
After sending that, Riff got up from his bed and went back outside on the front porch of his apartment. It had a wooden chair that Riff sat on. He looked up at the blue sky as it was about to reach the sunset point of the day. As he watched the clouds slowly move and the dragonflies fly by, Riff smiled once again as he knew that he, Charles, and Levi, would do just fine in Amphibia, one way or another.
Notes: I apologise for the long wait, and I thank you for your patience, but I've finally posted Chapter 3!
The exam period was upon me and I had to shift my focus on those, but they are finished so now I can focus on this story more, at least for now. I'm actually in high school.
Also, I thought I'd give you a heads-up on something in this story's future (sorry if you felt like you were spoiled). Romance and music will play a big part in it because I'm a fan of both and want to incorporate them into the story. The latter was actually inspired by AdmiralDT8, who used musical numbers in his Amphibia story. I find myself finding the song and playing it as I read.
I'll give you a quick tease on the next chapter as a proper apology for the long wait: Being in a world of amphibians means adapting to their lifestyle, which isn't easy.
Thanks for reading my story and if you liked it, please let me know by leaving a review, following it or favourite it to be updated. Stay safe during these times, have a good day, and I'll see you in the next chapter.