Some time ago, Melody worked at The Purple Spoon; she took a break from her shift and sighed. She rested and slumped against a wall while sipping her juice when a man wearing the nametag 'Cody' approached her with a clipboard and a pencil behind his ear. He scratched his head full of shaggy brown hair before speaking.

"Hey Melody, can you handle our next shift as soon as you finish your break?"

"Again?" Melody whined. "Why do I have to keep doing this?"

"Hey, watch it," Cody warned. "Need I remind you that you're one of our most prominent and early workers here. We need you to keep watch for the others, ok?"

"But I'm tired."

"Don't give excuses, unless you want to complain about it to the boss yourself."

"Whatever." Melody got up and stormed away from him.

Melody walked through the doors and looked around the area, wondering if anyone could use her help. Soon, someone approached her from the back by calling out to her and tapping her shoulder.

"Excuse me?" The woman spoke up.

"If you're looking for the tofu in a can, it's over there." Melody pointed at an aisle.

"That wasn't what I wanted to ask."

"Sorry, used to hearing that complaint.” Melody shook her head. “So, what was it you wanted?"

"I want to know where the person in charge is at." The woman replied.

"Over there in the office, I believe," Melody remarked.

"Thanks so much."

"No problem, but why do you ask?"

"Just curious, that's all." The woman bowed and skipped away.

Melody tapped her foot. Although, I'm a little curious myself. Could she be applying for a job herself?

"Hey, what are you doing?" The voice of Cody broke her train of thought. He placed his hands on his hips and gazed at her. "Are you still on break, or are you stalling again?"

"The former." Melody retorted. "Quit spying on me."

"I wasn't doing such a thing." Cody scoffed as he turned and walked off in a huff.

"Men," Melody muttered under her breath.

"Hey, I heard that!" Cody exclaimed.

Melody groaned; she knocked on the door and excused herself before entering the office. There, inside, the boss and the other woman from before discussed something near the desk.

"I should get going, thanks again." The red-haired female bowed and took her leave.

"Hi Melody, what are you doing here for?" The boss inquired, resting his hands together on the desk.

Melody took a seat and made herself comfortable before responding. "Yes, I want a different shift away from that Cootie guy."

"You mean Cody?" The boss corrected her.

Right on cue, Cody entered the room with a piece of paper in his hand. "Sir, I got you that report from yesterday."

"Oh, thank you." The boss chirped as he placed it down on his desk.

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"I heard you guys were talking about me?" Cody raised an eyebrow and glanced at Melody while saying that.

"Yeah, you see, Melody—"

"Never mind, forget I said anything." Melody excused herself and left the office without looking back.

After some time had passed, the boss left the office and called for everyone to gather around him.

"Everyone, I got an announcement to make." The boss spoke up, as everyone stopped and had their attention towards him. "Meet our newest recruitment, Hilary." He pointed and moved aside to give the woman some leeway. She bowed and introduced herself to everyone.

That woman from before? Melody thought, her eyes widened.

"And Melody will show her around and look out for her." The boss continued.

"Wait; what?"

"Everyone else scramble for now."

Later today, when Melody had another break, she peeked her head through the door to see if the boss was present in the office. When the coast was clear, she stormed inside without knocking and slammed the door behind her.

"Hello again." The boss greeted, not bothered by her actions in the slightest. It was as if he expected her to show up again. "Are you here for the same reason as before?"

"What is the meaning of this?" Melody asked, slamming her hand on the desk.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do I have to be the one to guide this recruit?"

"Well, I heard you wanted a new job and grew tired of your current one. So, I gave you a new position."

"Behind my back, without my permission?" Melody remarked. "I didn’t get a say in this! Who told you?"

"Cody."

Melody ground her teeth. Why that little—

"Why are you acting like that?" The boss questioned. "She seems like a friendly fellow, and besides, it can be good for you to be more social and nice to others."

"If you say so..."

"Talk to them, get along with them, and help them out, so they can help others and have the customers be satisfied. This is a chance for people to get along well."

"Are you seriously doing this for the ratings?"

"In a way. Now go get'em, girl."

Melody stormed out of the office in a huff, immediately greeted by Hilary, standing there as she waited for her.

"Hey there."

"Hilary, is it?"

"Yes, and your name is...?"

"Melody.”

"What a pretty name."

"Thanks,"

"I look forward to—"

Melody raised her hand in protest. "Why did you lie to me before?"

"Well, technically, I wasn't lying," Hilary recalled. "I said I was curious and wanted to know if the job was available. I also wanted to see if it was a suitable place to work."

"Oh, ok then," Melody said, sounding understanding. "In that case, let me show you around."

Melody took Hilary to different aisles, where each of the shelves had cans holding items arranged from food and drinks to ordinary everyday things.

Hilary shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand."

"What?" Melody asked.

"Why are they all cans?" Hilary inquired.

Melody shrugged while holding up one in her hand. "The boss likes it, I guess? Not all of these you can eat or drink, though."

"But isn't this a market? Hilary mentioned.

"Bleakburn's one and only, so what?"

"I guess I just thought—"

"Hey guys, how's your training going?" Cody interrupted, getting in the way between the two, much to Melody's chagrin.

"Oh, it's going great, thanks." Hilary chirped.

"Why do you care, Cody?" Melody asked. "And why'd you give me this shift?" She glanced at Hilary and whispered, "No offense."

"None taken?" Hilary tilted her head in confusion.

"Well, for one thing, I didn't want to put up with you anymore," Cody replied coolly. "Another thing, you always complain about your job."

"Why don't you just mind your own business?" Melody shoved him.

Cody stood his ground, his face contorted into a grimace. Cody went over to shove her back.

"Do you know how hard it was for me to even—?"

"Guys, won't you please stop it?" Hilary interrupted, impeding them. "Can't you guys just get along?"

"No." They replied in unison.

Cody checked his watch. "Looks like my shift's over." He grinned at Hilary but scowled at Melody. "Good luck out there Hilary, you'll need it." He turned and walked away.

Once he left the picture, Hilary glanced at Melody. "Why do you and Cody—?"

"The boss always asks him to watch over me and make sure I don't slack off, but I never do, it's annoying." Melody explained.

"But they're showing concern for your wellbeing," Hilary mentioned.

"Not really, they only care about profit, ratings, customers, etc."

"Are you sure? I feel like—"

"Let's just continue this tour."