Michael POV short excerpt: Respite
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The wide smile stayed intact until the door slammed shut. As if on cue, Michael slumped over the counter with a disgruntled noise that came from somewhere deep inside his soul.
“Another rude one?” His manager emerged from her office and leaned against the door, a sympathetic look appearing on her weathered face. “You know you don’t need to be inhumanly polite when people cross the line, right? Just get me next time it happens.”
“Right…” A weak laugh escaped him as he pushed himself up on his elbows and glanced at her sheepishly. “Sorry, Ms. Harper. Sometimes I forget.”
“Forget what?" She let out a loud chortle. "That you’re not a human doormat?”
He raised an eyebrow. “No, but. Well, maybe that, too. Ugh, I don't know. I don’t think about it too much since it’s part of the job, you know? It’s not exactly difficult. Being polite, I mean.”
“And that attitude’s why I hired you.” She cocked her head towards the door, her circular, golden earrings stirring at the motion. “Take an early break. You’ve earned it.”
It was as if she'd flipped a switch; Michael immediately perked up and straightened himself at her words. "Really? Hell yes!" He flipped the red cap off his head, releasing the unruly locks underneath, and slipped out from behind the counter while stretching his arms into the air with an open-mouthed yawn.
Ms. Harper gave him a disapproving glance and picked the cap up from the floor as he walked with hurried steps towards the exit. “So much for politeness not being difficult. And remember, I said an early break, not a longer one. Hey, Michael? Are you listening?”
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Full version available on my Patreon
Sorry for not answering more asks — I've been super focused on the game itself and trying to meet my word count goal for this month <3 I'll try to get to it soon!
