Being Run Ragged

Ch 1. Meeting Tony "fricken" Stark

These are (Katriona's Thoughts), 'Emphasis of the word', and *sounds*.

It was on Monday, March the twenty-second that it happened, something that while slightly awful was life-changing, for the better, at least most of the time. I was finishing a batch of blueberry muffins I had made while listening for the bell, that sat on the front counter for customers to use if they needed something while I was in the back. Just cleaning up the tins I had used then piping some frosting across the tops of some of the warm muffins, I was wondering how much longer I would last at this job before the boss decided I was too much trouble to keep as an employee. That's when I noticed the hush, not a fearful hush like had happened during the whole alien invasion thingy, no this was more like an awed hush.

So I stepped out from the back of the little java café, where I worked as a barista for the gourmet coffee lovers of New York, there in our little shop was Tony "fricken" Stark just standing at the counter like he was just any regular person. (Yes, I know he is just a regular person, but he is also a billionaire and Iron Man with that superhero group the uh... um... it starts with an A. I know this uh... why can't I remember. Oh, wait it's the Avengers, ya that's it.) " ... espresso shot, extra-large to go." he said. My confusion must have shown because he gave me this look over the rim of his very stylish, (probably expensive too.) sunglasses and started to tell me his order again. " I would like a dark chocolate frappe with one espresso shot, extra-large please." he slowly stated likely because he was afraid he would have to repeat himself again if he said it faster.

I gave him this pointed look that clearly stated I didn't like his sarcasm and then I asked "Was there anything else that I could get for you today? I personally recommend my fresh blueberry muffins to pair with your drink choice if you enjoy blueberries." I supplied the last bit in a very chipper fashion. He looked thoughtful then he said rather flirtatiously, " If that's all you recommend, I think I'll take one, if I can also get your number"( Oh my garnish bits, does this even work anymore? You seriously need some new lines bub.) while giving me a rather lascivious glance through his shades.

" Alrighty then, one blueberry muffin and a dark chocolate frappe with one espresso shot, in extra-large to go," I said while ringing his order up "that will be six dollars and seventy-three cents."

"Here, keep the change. " he nonchalantly said while handing me a twenty-dollar bill. (Hey, a thirteen dollar tip, very nice!) I put the twenty in the register and pulled out the thirteen dollars and twenty seven cents to put in my tip jar on the counter between us then said, "Thank you for the tip, I'll have the rest of your order out in a moment" as I put a large blueberry muffin on a napkin I had just placed on the counter for him (I've heard he doesn't like being handed things, like ever.)

I turned to make his drink since there wasn't anybody else behind him waiting to order, as he watched with an odd look on his face. I had already finished everyone else's before he had shown up. After I had finished mixing up his extra-large, dark chocolate frappe, with an espresso shot, I placed it on the counter just like I had the muffin. I had wiped down the front of the espresso machine, then turned to the sink with the frappe mixer in hand to clean it as well. It was as I was cleaning it, that he suddenly, with a hint of wariness in his voice, asked. "Why did you put both my drink and the muffin down on the counter, instead of handing them to me?"

To which I turned and replied "I heard you don't like being handed things so I didn't hand them to you, I placed them down where you can retrieve them for yourself since I hoped that you would be more comfortable with doing it this way. Oh, snickerdoodle cookies...I didn't think it would be a problem. I haven't offended you have I ?" the last part was hurriedly said as I was slightly panicked. (IDIOT. You just lost yourself another job, the boss was just looking for a reason to get rid of you. Shoot yourself in the foot already. Crabapples on burnt biscuits and all that fun jazz I can't even afford to stay in my apartment if I lose this one too!) That's when I realized that A) he wasn't mad or offended, B) every single thing I was just thinking I had actually mumbled out loud, and C) he thought my panicked rambling was apparently the funniest thing he had heard because he was in tears from laughing so hard.

When he had calmed down to just a few giggles every now and then. I decided to ask him if he would like my resume as I saw this latest fumble with a customer was probably the last straw for my boss who was scowling fiercely from the back of the shop. "Sure, why not, you might even get the babysitter gig, with my recommendation," he said. "Wait... A babysitter gig? Oh, I'm being an idiot, but this is perfect for me! That actually sounds like the most amazing job offer I've ever heard!" I stated rather stupidly while pulling out my resume pages from my bag/large purse ( I had them cause I've been looking for a job that would be more permanent) passing them across the counter to him as he got this weird look on his face when he said, "Hey, I got your number that's the first time that lines worked for me." We chuckled at the joke about how lame his pick-up line was.

He left shortly after that, but as he went out the door, he waved my resume papers at me saying, "I'm going to pass these to Pepper in person, so you will probably get the gig, be ready for a phone call." My boss told me to pass my apron over right after Tony had pulled away from the curb, outside the store. The next barista wasn't even supposed to start her shift for another hour an a half, but she was peeking around the corner at me like she was afraid to get in trouble too. (Yep told ya' your dumb self couldn't keep this job, but hey how hard can taking care of a bunch of kids for Stark Industries be, right?) "So just like that, I'm fired?" I asked solemnly. "Yes, you can pick your check, up on Friday, preferably before the noon rush," my now former boss said grumpily.

It had started to pour down like cats n' dogs before I had left the subway station, so I had to walk in a deluge the last four blocks to my apartment complex. A vehicle went by and splashed me with a puddle of nasty looking water, completing the drenching that the rain had started. (Great just what I needed! Now I need to just get an eviction notice, on top of everything else that's happened, to complete my failure at being an adult.) I felt like bawling my eyes out at how horrible my day was going, but I refused to cry until I had made it to the safety of my apartment. It may be a little bit ratty, rather tiny two-room apartment, but it was mine and I made sure it was completely spotless, top to bottom. I might be a bit of a clean freak sometimes, but when you live where I do, it pays to keep a place as clean as possible. It's that or running the possible risk of getting creepy crawlers in your food supplies or worse climbing onto you, I was shuddering at the thought. (Ugh, that's just gross!)

When I got to my door there was a notice on it saying that rent was due or I would have to vacate the premises within so many days. The notice was the last straw for me, the waterworks had started, so once I had locked the door behind me, I went and flopped onto my cheaply made futon couch-bed, wet clothing and all. I thought of all the crappy things that had happened just today and let out a watery laugh at how pitiful I felt at the moment. Suddenly I jumped up and spun in a circle as my mind decided to remind me about the job offer with Stark Industries babysitting some kids. Tony Stark himself was confident in me getting the job, plus he had also taken my resume to the big boss lady.