Work Text:
I slam the door shut, letting out a drawn-out exhale as my back throbs into the car seat behind me. Throwing my small black purse onto the passenger seat. Out of all possible things I missed while trapped inside the Circus, my dead-end job was not one of them. Getting accosted and micromanaged while worrying about rent and bills was not something I looked forward to coming back to when I escaped. At least I didn’t have to worry about being thrown into spontaneous random adventures anymore.
Or dying a fake death that felt all too real. Or being trapped in a tacky jester outfit.
Or Caine. Or Caine’s antics.
I close my eyes and savor the sweet sound of silence for just a moment more before finally putting my keys into the ignition. Silence was a rarity in the Circus, and it’s definitely something I’ve learned not to take for granted ever again. I used to work with my headphones on because of how deafeningly quiet my cubicle was, but now I find I hardly wear them at all anymore. Just about the only moments of silence I really got were the adventures where nothing really happened- like that time we all went stargazing.
Kinger. Ragatha. Zooble and Gangle. Jax... I wonder if they’re all okay.
The air takes a second to kick on, but before I knew it, the inside of my beat-up Buick started to smell like old air freshener mixed with an undertone of something foul that I just cannot seem to get rid of. I’ve tried shampooing the carpets and seats, I dropped nearly $200 to get the air filter looked at, but there’s nothing. That’s what I get for settling for a shitbox off of Facebook Marketplace, I guess.
Without another moment more, I put my car into drive and take off, “The sooner I leave, the quicker I can lay on the couch...” I grumble to myself, pulling out of the parking lot. My stomach begins to growl by the time I land into the median, waiting to merge into traffic. “...maybe after I stop for a bite to eat.”
Fast food- and real food in general- was definitely something on the list of things that I missed.
I finally am able to merge, and start to look around for where I may want to eat. Mindlessly driving the road back to my apartment. If I don’t find anything, I guess it’s just stale chips and salsa again tonight.
Panda Express? Nuh-uh.
Subway? Never again, not after that time I got food poisoning.
McDonald’s and Zaxby’s are also off the list. I can’t stand their fries.
Finally, I settle on the Taco Bell just a couple more lights away. I could probably eat off of the party pack for the remainder of the week, plus a Baja Blast doesn’t sound too horrible right now. I had a shitty day, I deserve a treat.
By the time I pull In, I notice that the drive thru is packed. There goes any attempt of minimal interaction. I guess I’ll have to go inside and wait. After pulling into one of many free parking spaces, my stomach growls once again. “Yeah, yeah. Just a sec...” I groan, promptly unbuckling myself and grabbing my purse before getting out.
Had I seriously grown so used to having everyone around me that I’ve resorted to talking to myself?
On another note, it looks like going inside was the best option- hardly anyone was around. Just a family of two up front, with one other person dining in who looked just as miserable as I probably do right now. I open the door and walk up behind the family to wait my turn, absentmindedly looking up at the menu even though I knew exactly what I came in here for- A party pack and a large Baja Blast... okay, maybe some churro bites too.
“Excuse me! Is anyone even here?!” The mother in front of me snaps, impatiently looking around for a worker to come and take her order. The front desk was completely empty, likely because of how loaded down the drive thru was.
“Felix!! Up front!” a scruffy male voice shouted from the back.
One of the two boys that were in front of me suddenly ran toward the soda fountain and decided to try and turn on three of the faucets at once. The other boy had his iPad turned on full volume, some kind of toy unboxing video was playing louder than the shitty pop music in the lobby. A Karen with poorly-behaved kids, and a middle-aged husband who didn’t bother to do anything about it... neat.
Suddenly, a tall and rather lanky man with brown medium-length hair swiftly walked up front. He looked to be a bit younger, and had his hair bleached towards the ends of his hair. The way he rolled his eyes as he rounded the corner told me that this was not the first Karen he had dealt with this evening.
“Thank you for your patience, ma’am. What can I get started for ya tonight?” He asked condescendingly as he tapped on the screen. His voice sounded oddly familiar... and the way he leaned on the counter...
Maybe I’m just imagining things. I hope this lady finishes up soon, I’m getting tired.
“First off, I would like to know why my husband and I have been standing here for the past 10 minutes! We have kids to feed, and you lot are just... loitering around back there or something! Does anyone seriously just not want to work anymore?!” She barks, slamming her hands on the table.
Felix crosses his arms as he just... stares at the lady in front of him, completely deadpan, “Wanna switch spots? I’m sure you’d want to get paid for doing jack shit just as much as I do.”
“Excuse me?! I just got done with-”
“Done with what, exactly? Oh! Let me guess: Getting shitfaced from a poorly-hidden flask while watching your kids’ soccer game? All while your husband cheats on you with a girl 20 years younger than him in your own bed? If you’re suggesting I quit and get paid to do that instead, then I’d rather just stick to being a wage slave, thank you very much.”
Oh... my god.
It takes everything in me to keep my jaw from hitting the floor as I watch the scene in front of me unfold. In a way, I admired the balls he had to tell this lady off.
The lady’s husband perks up from his phone upon being mentioned. He looked around, confused, clearly not paying attention to the past ten or so seconds. The lady on the other hand clutched her handbag in horror.
“Now... what can I get you, ma’am?” Felix asked once more in an eerily friendly voice, a shit-eating grin followed his question as he watched her fumble for her kids’ hands. That reminds me of exactly something Jax would do if given the chance. That is, if we had another adventure at Spudsy’s before we all escaped.
“This is the THIRD TIME I’ve been treated like this at this establishment, and your managers NEVER bother to do anything!! DISGRACEFUL!!” She storms away toward the exit, firmly grabbing both of her kids’ hands as her husband follows behind. Not having said a single word for as long as I’ve been in here. “I’m going to call your corporate, I’m calling the news, and I’m going to get this disgusting trash heap shut down!!” she shouts before stomping out of the lobby entirely.
“Good luck! We can’t get a hold of our managers either!” Felix shouted back, waving the family goodbye.
“Now what can I get started for you, ma’am?”
I blink a couple of times before walking up to Felix. It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me, let alone even realize why I was in here in the first place. I felt like a deer in the headlights.
“I- uh- can just I get a taco party pack please? To go? With a large Baja Blast too.” I stumble over my words as he tapped away on his kiosk. “Oh- and some churro bites as well if you don't mind. Uh, by the way...”
“Uh-huh?” He doesn’t bother to look up from his terminal.
“You kind of sound like-” I stopped as he suddenly looked up at me with something like recognition. “...someone I know.” I quickly finish.
He slightly shrugged, shaking his head, “I mean, I don’t think we know each other. I’ve been...” Felix pauses, thinking of a response, “...off the grid for the past couple of years so I doubt it. Spelunking and whatnot. Plus I wasn’t exactly the social type back in high school.”
I let out an interested hum.
“It’s funny you say that, I used to explore around abandoned buildings until I got into some trouble.”
“Huh. You get arrested or somethin’?” Felix’s interest had piqued.
“Well- not exactly. I, uh...”
How the hell do I explain getting trapped in an old computer game to some random cashier at Taco Bell?
“...got stuck? Yeah, stuck. While exploring. Fell right through the floor. It sucked trying to get back out- or... up, rather.”
Nice going, Christine. Just be grateful you likely never have to see this person again. So much for trying to make small talk.
Felix briefly furrowed his brows as he stared at me- cogs were clearly turning for whatever reason. After about ten-ish awkward seconds, his eyes lit up with that same look of recognition I could’ve sworn I saw from earlier.
“Felix!! We’re loaded down, what the hell’re you doing out there?!” the older man from earlier shouted, which seemed to snap him out of whatever was going through his head. He promptly returned to the kiosk to ring me up.
“Right. Your total is $20.74.” He cleared his throat, gesturing to the card reader in front of me. Without another word, I fumble through my purse and pull out my debit card to insert it into the reader.
“Say... how do you feel about jesters?” he playfully piped up, leaning against the counter to try and get my attention. His attempt to get my attention worked... too well, in fact. As I looked up at him, he had that same shit-eating grin on his face from earlier. Maybe he was making a joke? Were jesters some kind of inside joke at this specific Taco Bell? Why would he make a joke about jesters, and why...?
Wait just a damn minute...
“...Jax?!” I blurted out way louder than I wanted to, catching the attention of some of the cooks behind him. My eyes were about as wide as golf balls.
I ripped my card out of the reader as soon as it started to beep, and he quickly tapped a couple of times on his kiosk to put my order in. It seemed like we both wanted to wrap this up as quickly as possible so that we can talk for just a bit longer. Before either of us could say anything else though, he was urged by another employee to help back in the kitchen.
“Be right back!” he practically ran to the kitchen, his demeanor having changed from irritable to oddly excited and happy.
I stood frozen, card still in hand. Jax, or Felix, rather, was... alive. Maybe not well, considering food service is enough to make anyone miserable, but alive nonetheless. If he was alive, then maybe- just maybe- there was a chance I could find the others. Assuming they even want to be found. If they don’t, I can’t quite blame them. Without another word, I walked off to the side and eagerly waited for my order to come through.
It didn’t take too long before my order was done. Maybe eight minutes, at most.
“Order for Pom Pom!” Felix called out, placing my order on the edge of the counter.
I let out a dry chuckle and roll my eyes as I walk up to grab my order. Some things never change I suppose.
“No wonder you hated Spudsy’s...” I comment, placing the greasy cardboard box off to the side as I take a sip off of my Baja Blast. It felt oddly relieving to be talking with him again, as intolerable as he was sometimes.
“I’m not sure if you’ve met up with any of the others, but if you tell anyone I work here, I’ll kill you. Got it?” His comment was enough for me to stop sipping on my drink and exchange an awkward glance with him.
“...right, got it.”
“But hey! If you need your daily dose of bullshit, now y’know where to find me!” I couldn’t help but scoff. I did miss his antics.
“Thanks, Ja- I mean... Felix.” I immediately correct myself, looking down at his nametag to make sure that I got his name right.
I think it’s safe to say that I’m gonna eat here more often.