Fairly Normal People

-Chapter Seventeen-

The next day was in fact not full of adventure and discovery. Alternatively it was full of calm routine and an enjoyable rise in customer traffic. Whatever Duncan had done had worked wonders for the store. Over the next couple of days business had doubled and at the end of each work day Andy scanned over the cash registers and the projected sales sheet with increasing excitement. Lucy had really come into her own after Andy started letting her tend to the counter alone. Despite being an interdimensional fairy she was quite the people person and knew just what strings to pull to get people to buy more or even upselling old stock. Some days Andy would just watch in amazement at how easily she could strike up a conversation with even the shyest people and carry it on long enough to find out that one tidbit of information that would hint at another item they might be interested in buying. They don't call them human-like fey for nothing, Andy thought as he recalled how much difficulty he had when he had tried the same tactic years ago. After a few days and few disappointed customers, Andy even had enough money to install an eftpos machine in the store so that he could charge cards directly, a concept which sailed right over his head but luckily one that Lucy had almost disconcertingly intimate knowledge of.

Ding-a-ling-a-ling.

The chime sounded as the last customer in the store left.

"Hey Rands!" Lucy called out, she had taken to calling him 'Rands' once Randy has lost it's lustre and impact.

"Mm." Andy reluctantly replied from the backroom where he was going over paper work.

"Working here is great but when am I going to start getting paid?" Lucy asked.

"What do you need, Luc?" Andy replied.

"I need those fat green stacks, boss." Lucy called out as she rubbed her fingers together.

"I mean is there anything in particular you need money for?" Andy asked as his head peered around the threshold.

"I need new clothes and stuff." Lucy said as she fingered a hole in her shirt.

"I know we're getting more money but we're still paying off debts. We're making pretty great progress too." Andy said as he scanned over some papers once more. "Shouldn't even be long before everything's paid off."

"Listen here tall dark and blandsome, I'm not asking you to take me to Gucci or Vabana. I just need some new duds, capiche." Lucy said. "Plus I'm pretty sure you not paying me is slavery, room and board besides."

"Okay calm down, I just always thought if there was anything you wanted I could give you the money for it. That way we don't blow our budget and I don't have to deal with all the paperwork of legally employing you." Andy said as his head poked out again. "Not to mention even if I could afford to pay you it wouldn't be enough to pay for the rent you're not paying or the amount of dairy products you go through a week."

Lucy rubbed her tummy defensively.

"I feel like that last statement was a pointed comment." Lucy said offended.

Andy let out a little chuckle and Lucy responded with a little smile.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't meant to be." Andy said as he ducked back into the back room.

"So when I need something you give me the money for it?" She clarified.

"Yup." Andy replied.

"Why is this sounding more and more like you're my pimp." Lucy said with a laugh.

"Lucy..." Andy said, his head shakes were audible through his words.

"Yeah and here I was thinking this was a sugar daddy kind of situation where you give me money for everything I want. Jipped!" Lucy exclaimed.