Now they have Foosball. Two months ago it was a fancy flat panel TV, but its more or less agreed that the screen itself is an inch or two smaller than the old one. Management has to do things like that on a regular basis to hold the employee's attention. So easily distracted by hormones and nice weather, they turn their backs on the customer. Three out of five working the late shift tonight, they dont take pride in their jobs anymore. These kids not even that much younger than himself. Thats what you get hiring so many people in a place like this. Poverty level suburban backlash to a city which prides itself on green technology and bike paths.
       His stomach reminds him why he came and surveys his choices. Four snack machines and two Soda machines. No juice. The only thing in there you could really call healthy is raw carrots with a cup of ranch or a bag of sunchips. The rest just sugar and fat with different names and flavors. He gets some cheese crunchies, a bag of m&ms, and two 'large' coffees which he pours into his thermos, nearly filling it. probably alright if you dont make a habit of it.
       Three minutes left of break, followed by another hour of calls. Everything after that is mindless. Water might be a good idea.
       He Twists until he hears the familiar crack. Plucking two half-formed cubes from their sockets, Dennis Rumes has two hours and forty five minutes before he knows he should go to bed, and a little over four until sleep finally takes him and his neck goes slack as licorice. If he's lucky they might get out by 10:35 and he can grab a couple beers with friends. Theres always someone, somewhere waiting to drink with you. Then take the bus home and pass out just before the headache sets in.
       "Dennis"
       "Yeah"
       "I'm leaving. I was supposed to be off at 7, and I'm leaving."
       He looks up. "Hey, come on, were almost done, and you've already earned 12 raffle coupons for the overtime. Jo, be a champ."
       She shakes her head but knows she's screwing him over. "15. I'm sorry but I made plans and I'm not breaking them." So thats why she looks dressed up. Places to go, people to lay. That's okay, the bonus is gone. One more night of bad numbers isnt going to do much more than whats been already done. Probably be off in time for the bar. Could be a blessing tomorrow.
       He draws a smile. "Suit yourself. You know you're already pretty close to your second warning though, right?"
       "I am not, and I've already worked my scheduled shift. I can leave if I want, Dennis. Don't threaten me over this." She looks smug, like she knows she's right. Pokerface?
       "I don't know Jo, one could say that we had a verbal agreement about you working until close. From a certain perspective, that's negligence of your duties. Technically grounds for termination-"
       "Oh, fuck you! I'm leaving." And she does. Oh well.
Dennis finishes his drink and folds the paper cup in half, crushing the wax bottom between his fingers and the meat of his palm, then throws it into the garbage. He's always thought of himself as a good supervisor. Helps out his team as much as he can, but they dont give a cold shit. They promise they'll work when scheduled but you know half the time they don't. If his team were better on attendance, he wouldn't be on the phones. Hasn't taken calls since the promotion. "Thank you for calling Stream, my name is Dennis, how can I help you today?"
       "Why the fuck is my phone turned off?" Great.
       "Sir, can I get the Wireless number you're calling about?"
       "I don't know it."

     "Okay.. Can I get your account number?"
       "My what?"
     He feels silly sitting there, his desk so much taller than everyone else's, hunched over his computer with his feet on the ring. A trained chimp selling rateplans.