Ma'am this is Panda Express

5

Six days since the call
*Rahiam will be written in bold always *

- Hi, this Panda Express you're speaking with Alyx. How may I help you? Can I offer you today's special? Wow, that's the first time that entire sentence was said into this phone by me. Thank you for letting me do my job, Frea.

-Um, Frea? My name is Rahiam. I was calling to make sure I have the right address and time for my interview next week. Did I call the wrong number? This is Panda express.

- Oh, shi- my bad. What's the last name on the application?

- Flyod... Rahiam Flyod

- Flyod, Rahiam at 12:15 Friday the 27th. Does that sound right, sir?

- Yes, it does, thank you.

-You're welcome, is there any other questions you have?

- No, I don't goodbye

Six weeks since Frea last called

- Come on, Alyx. You've picked up every shift anyone has traded for the last two weeks. I think you should go home. I'll even cover the rest of your shift. You must be exhausted. Or at least stand-up and take some orders.

- Rahiam, I'm fine. Go away. I'm waiting for a call.

-Rahiam. Leave Alyx alone; she isn't going to listen, might as well let the girl mourn in peace. Her girlfriend hasn't called in over a month.

- She isn't my girlfriend, Martha. I'm just worried you know she's been a ghost for a while. Last time she called, she sounded on edge, and that was after she went to the hospital. What if she's sick and pulled a Mateo on me?

-Okay, when do I get let in on this on whole mystery girl thing. Because I'm lost, and I'm pretty sure knowing would clear a few things up for me.

- Frea is some high schooler who caught Alyx's heart just by calling here on accident. Well, we think she called here on an accident she might've called purposely. That girl is an odd character, she once called here, and I answered instead of Alyx and got called a bastard.

- Actually she just said you were wack, she called the restaurant a bastard, not you Martha, and she's not odd just entertaining. Plus she said "No hard feelings for being rude" so that doesn't count. I've been telling her this story called "They Both Die at the End" it's about these two guys and their epic love story ending in two tragedies. So it'll take her mind off the fact she might have cancer, which is why I need to stay here and wait for her to call me.

-How about this you go home and rest, and we'll let you know if she calls okay Alyx. Pinky promises

- Okay but if she calls and I'm not notified within 24 hours, I get to cut off your pinky. Those are the rules, Martha, and you know I will. See you fuckers in a few.

Eight weeks since Frea last called

-Have you talked to Alyx?

-Yeah, I managed to convince her to take a week off thankfully. I just really hope that girl calls so Alyx can ease off a bit. She cool kid and seeing her in a rut like this sucks.

- Yeah, I've never known her outside of this dark, gloomy cloud she wears. Tell what's the girl like Martha.

- Well, underneath that dark, gloomy cloud is another dark cloud. Yeah, that's how Alyx is a person, but if you go a bit deeper, you can get rainbow, if you know what mean. But when she's talking to that girl, that's where the sunshine comes through.

-Hmm, that's what I thought. Hold on, let me get the phone. I'm so used to Alyx getting it. Hi, this Panda Express you're speaking with Rahiam. How may I help you? Can I offer you today's special?

- Hi Rahiam, I was half expecting someone else but I-

-Frea, is that who this is? Hmm, you don't sound how I thought you would.

- Uh, yes, how did you know?  Is everything okay over there I hear rattling.

- Wait...Martha... stop I want to talk to Alyx's girl toy Martha stop pulling the cord you're going to make me drop the-

- Hi Frea, this is "wack-ass Martha" speaking. Alyx isn't right now actually

- Oh, I thought I finally got her schedule memorized.

- No, she had to take some days off due to personal issues, but if you would like, I'll give a number you can call. I think Alyx would be okay with it.

- Umm yes thank you