Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)

Hi, My Name is Scrub

Percy hated the fact that he was what most people would refer to politely as "trash." He had gotten out of jail three months ago and he was still unemployed. To make money, Percy had taken to doing odd jobs. He mowed lawns, washed windows, and even posed for a statue once for $50 and a meal from Aunty Em's. To put food on the table, he had gotten a fishing permit; he fished and gathered oysters and clams nearly everyday.

Percy was thankful for his mother. Sally Jackson was the best mother Percy could have ever asked for and he had done nothing but cause trouble for her. Her hopes of writing a novel had been postponed by Pecy's stint in prison. She had worked extra hours to help him afford a good lawyer, but Hermes's eloquent words couldn't save Percy from prison.

That's why Percy was now trying to apply to a job at Monster Donuts. He had already been rejected by McDonald's, Burger King, three local coffee places, Walmart, and fifteen different stores at the mall. They all told him the same thing: why should we hire someone who landed in prison for being part of a gang?

Percy tried to tell them that he had learned his lesson, but he had a bad track record. He had gotten expelled from every single he had attended except the one he graduated from and he had only gone there for half a semester. Now, he was paying for his crimes even though he was free. As a convicted felon, he couldn't vote, receive Medicaid (he had no health insurance and was too old to be on his mother's), or get food stamps.

Percy felt his stomach flop like a fish on a dock as he saw a woman stride towards him. The woman was tall and had dark hair neatly plaited into two braids. From the way her green eyes glanced over the room and how she held herself as if she was a goddess, Percy guessed that she was the manager, Circe. Her nametag confirmed that his initial guess was right.

"You are Percy Jackson?" Circe asked.

"Yes," Percy said.

He held out his hand. She took it and gripped it so tightly that Percy's hand felt like it had survived an avalanche. When she let go, he exhaled.

"So, why should I hire you if you're a convicted felon?" Circe asked.

Percy bit his lip to stop himself from saying, because felons make the best employees. He breathed in through his nose and tried to calm down his sarcasm before speaking. He had answered this question a dozen times by saying that he had changed. This time, he decide to say something different.

"You should hire me because I am a convicted felon," Percy said.

Circe raised one eyebrow.

"It means that I know I must work harder to prove myself," Percy said.

"Would you be willing to work the 5:00 AM-1:00 PM shift?" Circe asked.

Percy nodded.

"Well Perseus Jackson," Circe said. "I'll see you here tomorrow at 5:00 AM."

"Thank you!" Percy said. "You won't regret hiring me."

"Just so you know, I'm only hiring you because no one else is willing to work that shift and I don't like doing it everyday," Circe said. "So don't get your head blown up with pride."

Percy didn't care. He had a job. Now, he could change his nickname from Scrub to Donut Decorator.