The Promotion

By Joy Lynn Clark

09/09/2024

When I first moved to the north side I went through a few jobs. I had positions in retail, temporary, contract, on campus, and then finally the big box retailer that I ended up loving. I went to college and lived in the city with grandma and grandpa just after I did the infamous talk show with my best friend.

I started out as a part-time sales associate in the music department. Like I mentioned in the past, I had an awesome life. I went to school, the store, performed on thursdays, and then I recorded music on Sundays. Even though I worked in the store I never had any money because I was always spending my paycheck buying all of the latest media as soon as it came out.

I loved restocking those shelves. I was very meticulous about keeping that music in alphabetical order because it was a large part of my job. I almost always knew whether or not something was out of stock off of the top of my head. What was surprising to the music department employees like myself was that the buyers even ordered media that was rare.  The customers rarely ever knew because when the music shipments came in we would unpack the, “huge music release” and then stash the, “quantity one” albums that were very rare in the, “drawer”.

The, “Quantity Ones” were special items that the corporate buyers would ship to our store on occasion, they were always rare and we would sometimes argue as store associates over who deserves which “Quantity Ones.”  We eventually came up with a system and I always got the electronic and anime imports.  I never fought anyone about it because I was always the only one who wanted it.  The, “drawer” was where music associates could place these items on hold until payday.

One time I had a bunch of stuff in the drawer but I was too broke from buying school books. The senior sales associate was trying to close the drawer but it was overflowing with items. I saw him and I quickly tried to hide between the movies and software. “Joy!” He calls and I concede and come over. “Today is payday, either you buy all of this stuff or put it back on the shelf.” He demanded. “But my paycheck was only $500 and that’s $450 worth of stuff. I am going to be so broke, can I hold it there one more paycheck?” I beg. “No way!” He replies. “But it’s the entire Crying Freeman anime series and they’re all quantity ones. The buyers will never order this again!” I plead and hope that he didn’t notice that my voice slurred a little because of my tongue piercing.  “No way, and is that a tongue ring? That’s against store policy and you will have to take that out.” He orders. I grab all of the stuff and take it to customer service in a cart.

“So how much will it be with the sale and my employee discount?” I ask. The customer service rep adds it up and replies, “450 just like you thought” she responds. “Well just hold it here and I will cash my check next door when my shift is over” I explain.  When my shift ends I walk to the grocery store next door and rush to bank counter.  “Do you want to deposit some of your check?” my friend at the grocery store bank counter asks.  “No, just give me the whole thing because I have to buy all of my holds today” I explain.  “Maybe you should should put some of those things back so that you will have some money” my grocery store banker remarks.  “Nope they’re all quantity ones and my hands are tied. I am gonna be so broke I am gonna end up havin to walk to work” I respond.  “You’re crazy” she says and hands me my cash.

I was so happy at home with all of my stuff. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford a bus pass and I pawn my tennis bracelet when I realize that I am not going to have a way to get to school.

Time eventually passes and my entire department receives a cash bonus for having a small percentage of loss which is very rare for a music department.

I took my bonus check and I went right over to the gaming consoles to check out the deals. The latest ones at the time we’re Sony and Nintendo. They were regular price and with this bonus I could get a console and one game. Or, I could buy Sega Saturn which was seriously marked down just like 3DO but they didn’t have any games left.  If I buy the 3DO Interactive console I can buy it and all the games cheaply.  Obviously I decided on the 3DO system. I am figuring that when I grow tired of this system it will be time for a new one anyhow.

I got home and said goodbye to my tongue ring and plugged in my new 3DO system.  I quickly got into, Immercenary. Immercenary was the first real 3D game that I have ever played.  I also put in one of my hot new electronic imports and got started. My younger cousins who were still in grade school came into my room. “What are you playing?”my little cousin asks. “This is a one player game and you guys gotta go because this stuff is not for little kids.” I said.

I have never been more impressed by game. It was a 3-D open world experience which was a first for the time. Although many of the buildings in the city were transparent looking until my player gets close to it, it was still amazing. This was the most challenging game that I have ever played.

As I approached one of the final boss battles, I acquire a weapon that is truly a game changer – Ash Flay. It is almost like a nuke and I take out the boss quickly. Ash Flay is expensive to buy in the  Weapons store.  When I finally got close to the final boss of the game I realized that I am going to need plenty of it to win.

One of my youngest cousins has a bedroom right above mine. We aren’t very close because I am in college and those kids are still in elementary school. I spent time with the other two who were in middle school and the cute little toddler that my other aunt and uncle just had from time to time.

One day as I am raising coins for the Ash Flay, my aunt comes down and asks my grandparents if one of my other aunts can babysit her elementary school kids. Grandma and grandpa are going out and they don’t think anyone else will be available.

I finally killed enough of those a- holes to buy the ashflay and beat the game!  I quickly start the boss battle, next I set off the Ash Flay. “Damn! The Ash Flay only did 1/3 damage! I’m gonna have to go fight around until I raise the coin for three Ash Flay!” I was so pissed because I had to battle so many of those a-holes just to afford to buy one!

I don’t even know what my aunt and uncle decided about babysitters but they stopped just outside of my bedroom door and responded to grandma and grandpa, “well they can’t stay here!”

I was a little offended because I’ve babysat everyone else’s children. For some reason that particular aunt and uncle just didn’t trust me around their kids. Oh well, who cares I have a performance that night anyway.

At work I was promoted to senior merchandising associate. The managers even noticed that I had removed my tongue piercing like they asked.  The Management was also impressed by my departments’ low percentage of theft loss.

As for my aunt and uncle, they still don’t trust me around their kids.