First Job Part III

With that, I looked at the location of the third job: at a fast food restaurant. It was located between the edge of downtown and the beginning of the rich neighborhood. The stares of the others did not disappear. I might even say they increased after I left the Witch’s Trinkets. It was now afternoon, which reminded me that I needed to get something to eat. I pulled out my mp3 player and put my headphones on. If nothing else, I should at least be in a good mood. It was best to ignore the others. I was neither going to win nor lose.
-Come get your ice cream balls!
I could see a middle-aged man selling ice cream. Many were stopping to take some.
-I want two balls.
-Which ones?
-Caramel and watermelon.
-Right away. You’re welcome.
-Here’s three euros.
Strange combinations, but a lot of people had gathered. Whether small children or adults.
-What would you like?
-One ball of cherry and one ball of strawberry.
-Now. One-two, here.
-Here’s the money.
The man was smiling. This couldn’t be a permanent job, it was seasonal. But that didn’t change the fact that he was smiling and that attracted customers. Not just the smile, but his mannerisms and the way he did his job was different from the others to say the least. Whether or not he was making a lot of money I had no way of knowing, but what I could see was that the people who picked up ice cream had smiles on their faces. That in itself was a reward. Or at least that’s how I’d like to conclude, but realistically I didn’t know any more than the naked eye could see. Even though I was listening to music I could hear everything.
-Excuse me, I’ll take three balls.
-Which ones?
-Vanilla with chocolate bars, banana and apple.
-I’ll do it. One-two-three. Come in, young lady.
-Four euros and fifty cents.
-Thank you very much.
It was like this place was from another world. And then where was I? Maybe I just didn’t exist or I was a world away? Was it the other way around? You can almost imagine the beautiful picture revealing themselves to me.
Maybe I just wasn’t a part of it? I didn’t have time to think about it because I was so far away from the stall of man. How incredibly easy it is for people to become happy… Will I ever be able to experience that feeling and hold it forever? Wait a minute, before that I need to get a job, Yes, a job.
I continued on, wondering if I was going to get a job by the end of the day. Then on a street corner I saw a woman playing a violin. I stopped the mp3 player and took off the headphones. I had no way of knowing what she was playing.
More and more modern music is pulling away from these instruments and styles in music. I could see she was giving it her all even though it wasn’t appreciated.
-Stupid lady, who listens to this kind of stuff?
-If it’s not rap, it’s not cool!
-Ignore her. She must think there’s no other way to make money.
-Just watch her brag that she can play and wants us to pay her. She must be joking.
-What’s that awful tune?
And many other people passing by commented negatively or pretended not to hear the music from the violin or see the woman.
You could hardly blame them. After all, society is always cruel and looking to trample on others to feel superior.
And like the others, I walked past it. Sure maybe I was more sensitive than others or just a fool, but I stopped.
-I’m not a big fan of this music, but I can see that you are making an effort and I’m sure you will one day succeed.
Did I say that out loud?
Then the girl stopped and turned to me.
-Thanks.
I said it out loud…
-Ah, no problem.
Until now she didn’t care what others said, but when she heard my words it was as if the sun was shining and she showed a warm smile.
There’s no way it’s for me.
-I’ll take a break. Do you want to sit somewhere?
-Are you talking to me?
-I don’t see anyone else but you.
-All right then.
-I’ll just put down my instrument and we’ll sit somewhere.
-Well, I…
-I haven’t eaten any men. Now come with me.
She grabbed me and pulled hard.
Women get surprisingly strong in certain situations.
She literally pushed me to… to something like a street coffee shop.
-Here a friend work.
-Why am I here?
-You’re the first.
-The first?
-The first one who even though he doesn’t know much about classical music said something like that.
-Is that it? I meant…To not say it out loud. Yes, anyone could say it.
-But not everyone has the courage to say it. People are cruel and they look for ways to spit on others.
-It’s human nature.
-You say that from experience?
-Excuse me, what would you like?
-Sprite.
-And you?
-Well…I couldn’t just say a bottle of water.
I thought about it for a long time, but it was unlikely to be for the good of the other customers.
-I’d want the same.
-Two Sprites. Understood.
The bartender at the little place pulled out two glasses, put ice and then straws and gave them to us. Then he pulled two Sprites out of the fridge.
-You’re very considerate of others. You could have thought a little more.
-Mike, here’s the money.
-No, I’ll pay.
I handed the money to the Mike in question. I didn’t know exactly how much it would cost, so I gave a ten euro note.
-Thanks, here’s your change.
He gave me back six euros.
-Aren’t you lucky?
-I am?
-They’re usually more expensive, and he only gives me a discount.
-Seriously?
-Whatever. I’d like to ask you your name, but let me introduce myself first. My name is Stella.
-The name’s Deni.
-Okay, Deni, what are you doing here?
-Well…
-Let me guess. You were taking a walk.
-No. I went to look for a job in the ads.
-A job, huh? Hard to find. It’s like they have a job but no cash.
Stella opened her sprite and poured it into her glass. Out of habit, I did the same.
Strange habit. I wonder who I got it from?
-I graduated this year and I need to get a job. Can’t do without money.
-You’re right. I’m a sophomore in music college. There’s not enough money for the semesters or anything. The scholarship and aid for poorer families doesn’t go anywhere. That’s why instead of a big hall performing great works in an orchestra, I’m forced to do it on the street.
-There is no easy life.
-There is. It’s just me. Everybody else has famous parents and is rich accordingly.
-I wouldn’t put it that way. Even…
Stella took a sip and interrupted me.
-The rich have it easy in life.
-I don’t believe they have it as easy as you think. Stella, it’s not the money that’s important, it’s who we are.
-Isn’t that just idle talk?
-Even if it is, I won’t go back on my words.
-You’re an interesting man.
-You might as well have said a man who’s easy to fool around or something.
-No, you’re not. Or at least not completely, but I can already see you as an individual in the crowd.
-?
I didn’t know what she was talking about.
-Let’s just say you’re not like the others.
-Even blind people know that much.
-Don’t be so hard on yourself.
-It’s true. I was constantly made fun of and bullied at school. In general…
-You weren’t a bully. I’m gonna ask you.
-?
-Have you ever had a girlfriend?
-If you haven’t figured it out by now, I neved had one.
-But you can pretend and try your luck with me and then leave me.
-Another time.
-Another time?
-Means that’ not the case. You don’t look bad, but to be honest, I’m pretty sure you’ll find someone better than me.
She had such beautiful purple eyes and dark hair. On the surface, she might have left something to be desired, but she wasn’t skin and bones.
-But you and your modesty.
-True. You have a future, and I… You’re like a flower that will one day bloom, and I’m a decaying seed in comparison.
-It’s not like that.
-It is. I can see it in your eyes. You have confidence, and I’m sure that the world out there is waiting for you. Not the other way around! With or without me, the world goes on.
I sip a little from my sprite.
-You pretend too much.
-What are you talking about?
-Kiddin. I just couldn’t contain myself, but you… You… You always put others above yourself and say nice things about them, but you always…
-You make yourself unimportant. But I don’t, and it is so.
I couldn’t hold back.