Until I Come Again

Chapter Six | Musically Cultured

I quickly learned that 3 p.m. on a weekday was the opposite of rush hour for Musical Mayhem. 

In fact, it was now Thursday and on every day I had worked that week, there had only been about 10 customers a day during my 3 hour shift. 

I didn't mind the slow hours. However, it did get boring well quick. 

And Leo, who conveniently worked the same hours as me, was not much help for my boredom. 

Every time I tried to make conversation he would nod or mumble something before hiding behind a book or newspaper. 

I mean, I wasn't one to judge, but who read newspapers now anyway?

Thursday afternoon I stumbled into the shop, empty as usual and looked around for Leo. What was unusual was that he wasn't standing behind the register. 

He walked out from the back of the store, carrying three boxes all stacked on top of each other.

I put my bag down on the counter and went to help him.  I grabbed the box off the top which was half open, filled with CDs. 

"Hey," I said, as I placed the box down next to me. "What's with the boxes?"

He placed the other two on top of the one I set down.

"We're doing an inventory swap. Every couple months we review the items we have and then offer to trade some of it for newer or better stuff," Leo explained. 

He was staring at the boxes, frowning in thought. 

I raised an eyebrow. "So these are all the boxes you're trading?"

He looked at me and shook his head. 

"No. These are about a quarter of the boxes we are trading. I started going through everything earlier but I barely got past the C section in CDs."

I put my hands on my hips. "Oh. Awesome so let me help out. We're just getting rid of the old stuff?"

Leo gave me a sharp look. 

"No. The old stuff is some of the best stuff. No, we're looking for warn out CDs or dusty ones that have been there a while. Or artists that we've never heard of. That kinda stuff."

I looked around. "Sounds easy enough. Where should I start?"

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An hour later I was sitting cross-legged in the E section of the CDs, looking over about the 25th artist I have never heard of. 

"Ok this one. Ernest Franklin," I said waving the CD to Leo. 

Evidently, every person I didn't know, Leo seemed to think was some sort of hidden legend that the store couldn't possibly get rid of. 

I already knew his answer as he looked at me and said, "Ernest Franklin is one of the most talented musicians of our time. He basically re-invented modern jazz."

I rolled my eyes. 

"Everyone seems to be the most talented musician of our time. At this rate we'll have those three boxes and two CDs to go along with them."

Leo was cleaning off the top of a shelf as he looked down at me. 

"It's not my fault you aren't musically cultured."

"Musically cultured?" I snorted. "Fine. If he's so great then sing one of his songs."

"Who?" Leo asked.