Vintage

Chapter 04: Stuck In A Loop

Win glances at his watch. It's already ten minutes past 7 in the evening and he still hasn't closed his store. It's theatrical season now in high schools as well as universities. Students will need to rent some costumes for acting and stuff to serve as their props on stage.

His store offers that service, renting thrift clothes, costumes and vintage stuff for the students. They usually go out to buy or rent the things they need after school.

Thus, Win has decided to extend the closing time of his store to 10 o'clock for the whole week instead of at 6 o'clock like usual. It was suggested by one of his seniors back in university actually, Phi Earth Pirapat.

Phi Earth is a year older than him and he's in his final year of Arts in Film Production. He knew the guy in his first year, during the orientation for freshman.

"Nong Win!" A cheerful voice shouts, followed by the sound of the bell in his store jingling. Win, who's sitting at the pay counter, is snapped out of his thought almost instantly.

Speaking of this senior of his. "Ow Phi Earth, I thought you weren't coming!" Win smiles, getting up from the chair that he's sitting on. He walks over to the senior and gives him a wai.

"How can I not come? My junior offers the best service in town!" Earth praises Win, looking clearly proud of him for being able to open a thrift store in the city of Bangkok.

"Phi, you're exaggerating. This store is only three months old. I still have a lot to learn. Besides, this is my first time doing the renting service. That's why I need you to spread the good news to people on social medias. You know how I'm not really into that kind of thing, right?" Win chuckles.

Phi Earth shakes his head in disbelief at Win. "I told you so many times to create at least an Instagram account, nong. You can promote all the stuff you're selling too instead of just focusing on the website. I know the website is working too, but you should consider strengthening your marketing strategies by targeting people of all ages around the world."

"Wow, phi! Some deep business terms I heard there. I'm not good at this, phi. Maybe I'll consider making an Instagram account for this store in the future. But you have to help me promote first for the time being, na?"

"Dai dai, of course I will. For you I'll do it, free of charge," Phi Earth winks at the junior.

Win titters, feeling amused by the guy. Earth always makes him feel at ease in a sense that when they're having conversation, the guy would try to insert some jokes to make him feel comfortable.

"Well then, I'll give you some discounts for helping me out. I'm guessing you're here to rent some stuff from my store?" Win gives Earth a hopeful look.

"Of course! I'd like to rent some stuff and also buy a few things for my production. I have a list here with me. Hold on," Earth takes out his wallet from the back pocket of his pants. He opens it and pulls out a small white paper. "Here's the list. Do you have all the stuff written here?"

Win takes the paper and scans it quickly. He then looks up and smiles at his senior. "You've come to the right place, phi. You can sit down while I gather all of these things first," he points at the couch at the corner of his store. Earth nods and the owner of the store then gets to work.

It only takes Win fifteen minutes to gather all the things that Earth wants. He separates the things into two large bags, one with rented stuff and one with the stuff that the senior wants to buy.

"Okay, phi. All done!" Win claps his hands twice, placing the bags on the counter. Earth gives him his credit card and pays for the stuff.

"I truly like your service, Win. Fast and convenient, because all the things I need are available here. Don't forget to put my feedback on your website, naaaa," Earth drawls at the end of his sentence.