I've rented a room close to the center of the city. It's small, but nice, and placed so far above the streets, that sounds get muffled. I have a view of a park. I like it. I can see people running around down there, and mothers walking with the little mobile cradles in which their offspring sleep happily. I can pay the rent with the pay I get from washing dishes.
I got the job by accident actually.
I was in this small café, not too far from my new home, drinking sweetened tea. I was thinking about White, and, I guess, feeling sorry for myself. Suddenly this man comes running past me, out the door of the café, quickly followed by an angry woman. She was shouting at the man, telling him to never come back.
Then she turned and looked at me "Can you believe the nerve of some people?! I caught him red handed, stealing from the cash register!" She gestured wildly, trying to emphasize her words "And now I don't have any staff.... You wouldn't happen to need a job, would you?" she looked at me with hopeful eyes.
I looked at my cup of tea "Uhm... yes?"
She smiled "Good! You can start right away. The pay is 60 kr. an hour. You DO have time to start now, don't you?" she seemed a bit desperate, so I just nodded, finished my tea and followed her out into the back of the café.
She looked me up and down, then shook her head "Your hands look gruesome! You should get that fixed at the doctor's. But, but, but, no worries, you're wearing rubber gloves here anyways. Your job is to make sure to clean everything that I put out here. Clean and neatly stacked. If anyone drops something, I'll probably be calling and then it's your job to clean it up too. Understand?"
I nodded and looked around.
"So, what's your name young man?"
I hesitated, then remembered my cover name "Benjamin. But you can call me Ghost if you like"
She laughed "Ghost huh? Cuz of your hair, right? Amazing what you trendy, young people come up with, when it comes to hair and fashion. Oh well, there's the dishwasher. Most of the things can go in there. But you'll have to wash the glasses by hand, they look better that way. The soap is over by the sink, and in this cupboard you can find new supplies of soap, gloves and what not"
A bell rang from out in the café. The woman stretched out a hand towards me "Ok, I gotta get back out there. My name is Barbara, just call me Bee. Welcome on board, I trust you can find your way around out there? You'll get your pay at the end of the day. Just ask if you have any questions"
I gave her a smile and a nod as we shook hands, and then she left me alone in the backroom.
Left with my own thoughts, I found a pair of rubber gloves and got them on with a bit of difficulty. The hot water stung slightly, but after a minute or so it started to feel very nice.
The work was really easy, and I got to drink all the tea I wanted. Now I'm home again and 240 kr. richer.
I have to go there tomorrow again. I'm actually looking forward to it. Bee is really friendly, and she talks so much that I don't need to talk much myself. It's good to have someone around.
She keeps calling me Benji and says I'm so trendy, that she's amazed I want to work for her. I've just figured out what the word means after checking with a dictionary I bought yesterday.
'One who is drawn to, and represents, the latest trends'
Erh… I don’t think that applies to me. I have yet to see anyone with this strange hair of mine. It's back to a greyish white once again.
Hmm. Bee has told me to come with her to her doctor, so he can fix my hands. I doubt he can do anything about it though, they won't heal.
I think someone has finally seen this journal. Someone left a comment. I'm not sure if it was written to spite me or if it really is someone who cares about my state of mind... time will tell, I guess.
I need to get out now, I'm hungry. My wounds drain my energy, but already now I know how to drink a little at the time. It's so easy, they don't even notice me.
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