[TD NOCO] Barks And Bites

1

"Noah!"

"..."

"Noah! Get over here!"

Noah reluctantly gets up and walks over to his manager.

"This is your third break today." She points out.

"Yeah... sorry, Courtney, but I'm kinda weak today."

"I understand, but you can't keep leaving Gwen alone like this. It's just you two today after all."

"Well, I wanted to take the day off, but since Cody already did I knew we'd be short-staffed..."

"Yeah, it's only until Heather comes back from her vacation. Then we'd have a little more leniency for days off..." Courtney said with a little guilt. "Even with Cody gone, we're falling behind..."

"Why don't you hire more people?"

"No one's applied in months! I'd take just about anyone at this point..."

Noah let out a sigh. "I better check on Gwen..." he walked out.

Noah went to the counter where Gwen was preparing the display cabinet.

"There you are, Noah! I've had to pee for the past 20 minutes! And of course as soon as you left, I got a family of 5 walk in and 2 phone calls at the same time!" Gwen complained.

"Sorry, Gwen..." Noah sighed. "I'm not feeling well today."

"What's wrong?"

"I just feel dizzy..."

"Oh. Sorry for complaining..."

"It's fine. If only Cody hadn't gotten sick today as well... I could have stayed home."

Courtney walked in. "Everything okay here?"

"Courtney, do you mind staying here for a minute?" Gwen asked.

"Of course, Gwen. Go ahead."

Gwen walked into the back.

Noah continued what Gwen was doing.

"You feeling any better?" Courtney asked.

"Not at all. But I'll survive." Noah shrugged.

"Are you good to close?"

Noah looked at the time. He knew he'd only get worse the later it got.

Courtney eyed him before looking at the food he was displaying.

"It's okay, Noah. Why don't you leave at 6? Go home and rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'll bring out the rest and you can put them up. After that, you can leave."

"All right... thanks, boss."

Courtney gave him a nod.

Gwen came back right after.

"Thanks, Courtney."

Courtney went into the back.

"Courtney said I can leave at 6." Noah let Gwen know.

"Oh, good. Hopefully you'll be better by tomorrow." Gwen said.

"Yeah, I definitely will."

.
.
.

Noah walked into work as usual with his turtleneck, gloves and wide brimmed hat that covered half his face, and a mask that covered the other half. All black of course.

The few customers turned to look in surprise.

"Hey, Noah..." Gwen greeted casually.

"He works here?" A customer whispered.