Shorts #1

Short Story

The twenty-five-year-old young man walks across the sidewalk with a certain pep in his step. He had done some internships, got above average but not the best grades in his class, and is noted as a diligent worker by his peers and superiors alike. He's been out of college for about two years and became eager to join the workforce. Once out, he started applying and almost instantly got a job at a massive sales company called Riot Industries. The young man wasn't just eager, he was ambitious. If you look too closely you could almost be burned by the fire harbored in his eyes. Everyone who's known him knew that he was a dangerously determined man who'd stop at nothing for his desires. Every step of the way, he's always chased the money as if he were being led by a carrot on a stick. The young man's been working at Riot Industries for about two years now. Wanting to keep climbing up the corporate ladder, to gain the power he so desired. However, lately, he hasn't had much luck. The world revolving has started to weigh down on him.

Every morning before his shift starts he stops at a sandwich shop. The name of the shop is rather unimportant for this story.

"I'll take an Italian sub with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, salt, pepper, oregano, and oil vinegar."

The young man says in a calm somber voice

"Hmm, the same thing again. Coming right up"

Answers the girl working there enthusiastically with a smile. She was about the same age as him. Her life was not as put together as the young man's and he almost felt joy because of that. Life was a shark tank for him however, for her life was just life.

"You do realize you get the same thing every day right? Why not change it up a bit?"

She asks, concerned for him.

"I'm fine. I get it because I like it."

"Have you been sleeping much lately?"

She asks, again concerned

"Huh? Yeah, I have ... actually no. I guess I've been a little exhausted lately haha."

He laughs in the face of this heavy conversation, lightening the load on both of them. She finishes his sandwich and hands it to him. For no reason at all, the man feels compelled to know more about this woman. I mean, she's been making his sandwiches for a long time now. It's best to know the hand that feeds you.

"So is this all you do or do you have another job?"

"Huh?"

Her first response is a shock. She was caught off guard as most of their conversations have always just been normal pleasantries.

"Well for now this is it but I'm going to school to be a teacher."

The man hears this and a little scoff escapes from him.

'Hmph a teacher, why would anyone do that? There's barely any money to be made, you're left with no glory, and you have to stay with whiny bratty kids all day.'

The young man was left in thought yet his response to her was in complete contrast.

"Oh wow, that's great for you"

It came off exactly as dry as you read it. The man was never good with his words. He was very blunt and didn't know how to hide his true emotions.

"Thanks..."

She says almost in a whisper, feeling the young man's unconscious superiority complex. The man, left in an awkward state checks his watch.

"Well it's time for work ... have a great day."