Before the Horns - A Bob Velseb Story

Chapter 5

Charlie stood tapping her foot in front of Boys & Grills, arms crossed. She checked the time on her phone screen, just to make sure she was there when she was supposed to be. The screen read 7:30. Where is he? He said be early, and I'm early. She groaned to herself, pulling the red hood a little tighter around her shoulders and fiddling with her gold chain. If he doesn't show up in the next fifteen minutes I'm leaving. It's too cold for this.

She stood shivering outside the butcher shop, irately waiting for Bob to show up. She didn't get why her boss wanted her to case him so badly, he was just some guy. A skilled butcher sure, but Bob was just too kind of a man to be any use for anything. Charlie pulled her phone out again impatiently, checking the time once again. 7:32. God she hated the cold.

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Bob turned over, still murmuring some unintelligible thought from the depths of unconsciousness. His alarm was screeching at him to get up, but it was too disorienting waking up in a new place to get up as easily as he normally would. What day is it? Where am I? He heaved himself forward rubbing his face, trying to get his bearings. 

His alarm was going off. He was sitting in bed. He'd slept the night in his room rather than in the recliner. He was alone in the house. He'd never changed clothes last night. 

Bob wrestled the covers off of him, and sat up to turn the alarm off. He looked over the filthy room resting before him, practically blanketed in dirty clothes, hangers, and who knew what else. Just to get over to his closet he had to kick around multiple shirts and tripped at least twice. Oh yeah, definitely cleaning tomorrow. This place is a pigsty. 

He pulled off the black tee he'd worn to work the previous day, and sifted through the closet for another. Realizing all of his work shirts were dirty, he settled for a black button down and slipped it on as he kicked off his shoes. He scanned through the closet for another pair of work pants, settling for a pair of old slacks instead. 

Trudging back through the mess, Bob made his way into the bathroom. Before stepping onto the tiles however, another alarm screamed at him. He clicked the 'be quiet' button trying to figure why it had gone off. Then it hit him. 

The new employee. Oh shoot!

It was already 7:30, so he didn't have much time left. Bob opted to just skip brushing his hair, since he'd be wearing a hat all day, and decided to just not eat breakfast. He could grab something on a break or God forbid just wait 'till lunch. 

Rushing to get out the door, he snagged his keys off the kitchen counter and ran to his car. It took a few tries finding the right key to unlock the doors, but he still got in either way. Bob jammed the car key into the ignition and checked his watch. Only problem was he'd forgotten it on the night stand. Deciding there wasn't time to go grab it, Bob pulled out of the driveway checking the clock on his phone. 7:37, still on track.

The drive was a lot quicker compared to the walk, but Bob never enjoyed it as much as getting to sightsee on his way to work. He was never the best driver anyway, and since the town was so small he rarely had to actually use the little run down car. Despite not being in the car too often it was impossibly messy. It was almost as bad as his room, and made him just as uncomfortable. It'd been months since Bob had cleaned it out, so there were little remnants of bad memories everywhere. Maybe the town's size and convenience of walking wasn't the only reason he avoided the car.

Some time around 7:45 Bob pulled into the small 3 or 4 space parking area in front of Boys & Grills. There was a fiery haired girl in a big red hood standing outside. Bob pulled his keys out of the ignition and stepped out of the little car.

"Well heya there Miss Sarah, I thought the lady on the phone sounded familiar! Sorry I'm a bit late, I slept through my alarm," Bob chuckled, trying to put on a friendly face for his new employee.

Sarah pushed off the wall she had been leaning on to come shake Bob's hand. "Good morning Mr. Velseb," she droned flatly.

Bob shook her hand with a wide smile and began sifting through his keys. "Aw please, skip all that formality stuff, it's just Bob. No need for last names 'round here."

Charlie nodded slowly looking her new manager up and down. He looked awful and his hair was unbrushed. It didn't help much that his shirt hadn't been ironed. As he shuffled through the keys on his key ring, she took a peek at his car. The thing was filthy. Charlie grumbled to herself. Wonderful, he's a mess, has no sense, AND can't take care of himself. Perfect manager right there.

The little bell jingled its gleeful little 'good morning' tune as Bob stepped in waving his new coworker to follow. Charlie strode in after him, watching as he turned on the lights. The place looked smaller without all the customers around. Bob led her into the backroom, where he set down his lunch and pulled his apron and hat on over his clothes. 

"So Miss Sarah, this is the stock room. When we ain't up front we're gonna be in here. This little room is where I stay in durin' breaks 'n such. Back in there is the refrigerated area, where the stock stays. There's also a big ol' metal door over on the far wall where I keep the bigger cuts. Ya gotta be careful though, 'cause there ain't a door handle on the inside. Why there isn't one is beyond me but I digress. Now, I know ya haven't got yourself a uniform yet, but if all goes well today I'll getcha one for tomorrow. Sound good?" Bob smiled wide, really hoping he hadn't lost Sarah in all the nonsense. However, when she gave a silent albeit understanding thumbs up, he let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"So, what would you like me to do today, Mr. Velseb?" she asked after a few moments of exploration.

"Again, no need for last names 'round here, but for now I'm gonna put ya behind the register. You stand and ticket the customers' orders when it's their turn in line, and I'll cook an' fetch 'em from the back when needed. You just tell me what all's on the ticket and I'll take it from there," Bob patted Sarah on the back with a reassuring grin to comfort her contemplating look, "I think your gonna do great Sarah, no need to worry."

Sarah pulled from Bob's touch harshly, and slipped off her coat. "Yes sir, Mr. Velseb."

Bob chuckled quietly, "Again, no need for formalities, 'less ya wanna..."

She marched out of the backroom and to the register, tying up her scarlet curls. Bob smiled nervously looking out over his little diner. 

God, I really hope this goes well...