FIRED

Chapter 6

New Clothes

Chapter 5: http://scarletlibrarian.com/corey/chapter5.htm

After another block, he made it to Powell Street Plaza, seeing a small line of tourists waiting for the cable car, and made sharp right into The Gap. He had to pause a moment. Not because of all the fall colors and new sweater styles inundating him inside the store, but because he always got a little lost inside of The Gap. He knew that one side was men’s clothing and one side was women’s clothing, but the distinction was never that easy. Everything was so basic, so uniform, like outfits from a really colorful totalitarian future.

The mannequins on the left were flat-chested, so he went browsing over there. IT only took about 20 secons for a Gap employee to saunter over and ask, “Good afternoon. What can I help you with today?” The young man was probably about 22, had gelled-up, faux-messy hair and a very shiny moisturized face. His name was Thad.

“I’m okay right now. Thanks” Martin told him.

“Okay. I’m Thad, and just let me know if ou need anything,” said Thad. “And, if you sign up for a Gap card today, you get 10% off of your purchase.”

“Thanks,” said Martin, and he began looking at tee-shirts, that didn’t look like the tee-shirts he remembered. They had visible stitches and odd seams. He hadn’t been in The Gap for years, mostly because he got lost easily, but also because he just didn’t have too many casual clothes anymore. His closet was 75% work clothes, and then he had a few pairs of jeans and shorts and casual khaki pants, along with a few tee-shirts, some polo shirts, and that was about it. He didn’t wear the casual clothes much, and didn’t care how hip or cool they were. Why did he need hip or cool clothes? They were mostly just for going to the mall or the movies or maybe a short day trip. He didn’t need to impress anybody with his clothes. Partly because he was alone much of this time, of course.

“Okay, what do I need?” he pondered. “Something simple, something basic, something comfortable.” He wanted non-descript clothing, not because he wanted to blend in, but because he didn’t want to stand out. He didn’t want to be noticed in anyway today. HE didn’t want people to pay attention to him. He he realized someone regarding him in any way, he’ll begin to wonder what they see. And he’ll know, but not for certain, that they see the truth. He’ll know that they see a big loser, a tainted man.

Jeans would be best, he decided, and foind the wall of jeans in the back of the store. There were so many different kinds to choose from, but they all kind of looked the same. Bot cut, straight cut, loose fit, baggy fit, low rise. How can jeans have so many options, he thought with frustration.

Thad was back. “Can I help you find your size?”

“Not yet. What is the difference between all of these jeans? What is the difference between loose fit and baggy fit?”

“Well what kind of look are you going for?” Thad asked.

Martin just wanted a straight answer. “I’m not looking for a look. I just want a pair of basic blue jeans.”

“Hmm. Okay. Are you more low-waisted or are you hippier?”

“Look, I really don’t understand your question,” aid Martin, sounding like he was losing his temper a little bit. “I wear a size 34 waist with a 34 leg. Can you give me a pair of basic blue jeans in that size?”

“Sure,” said Thad curtly. He reached to his left, thumbed through the stack and pulled out a pair to hand to Martin. “Try loose fit with a straight cut leg. I think that would be best. The dressing rooms are right over there.”

Martin went into the dressing room, and tried on the pants. They looked fine, as far as he could tell, and he went back out into the store to look for a shirt. Thas was back, again. “Do you need a short or a sweater to go with that. We have hoodies on sale this week.”

Martin thought to himself, “A hoodie? Does he think I look like someone who would wear a hoodie?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Do you have any polo shirts, with a collar?” He asked.

Thad pointed him to the other side of the store, alongside the escalator that took parents upstairs to the new Baby Gap. He found a medium sized black polo-style shirt and went to the counter. Thad caught him before he made it, though, and pointed out that the new fall-line of jackets and sweater were in, and some were even on sale already. “No, I’m fine. Isn’t it like 85 degrees today? Who needs jacket?”

“Well, it is never too early to stock up.” Thad added, a bit taken aback, but relying on the corporate line.

“I’m not stocking up. I need something to wear right now. I’m all set, thanks.”

“Okay, then. Andrea can ring you up right over there. Have a great day!” And Thad was gone.

Martin made it up to the counter, where Andrea greeted him. “Did you find everything you were looking for?”

“Yes I did thanks.” Martin told her as she began to ring him up.

“Was Thad helpful?” she asked.

Martin thought for a moment and said, “You know, he really wasn’t very helpful. I mean, he got me some jeans and this shirt, but I never felt like he really listened to me. He kept talking in all this Gap-speak, and I don’t think he ever realized that I was another flesh-and-blood human standing in front of him.” Martin couldn’t believe what he was saying. He had never complained like this about something so minor.

“I’m so sorry. Well, if there is anything else you need, you just let me know. He is kinda new. It is his first week.”

“How long have you worked her?” he asked her.

“Oh, I’m the assistant manager. I’ve been here two months already.” She replied. This is work? He wondered. IT is this easy. You put in two months somewhere and you are an assistant manager already. She was nice enough though, and did her job professionally and treated him with respect, and that was all that matters. Manners are important, he thought wther you are Thad or Arnold Schwarzenegger.

As he paid and they finished the transaction, Martin realized a little problem he might be facing, and he asked Andrea, “There might be something you can help me with. I want to wear these clothes right now. Can I change into them here in the dressing room?”

“Of course, no problem. Just show them the receipt when you go in and when you come out,” she told them.

Martin did just that. In the dressing room, he put on the jeans and polo shirt, and then realized that he didn’t really want to carry his suit around in a Gap bag for the rest of the day. And, he didn’t want to wear his loafers. He bundled up this suit into the bag, and headed back out,, making sure to show the attendant his receipt again.

He found Andrea still at the bank of cash registers, and approached her. “Can I bother for another minute? I’m sorry.”

She turned to give Martin her full attention. “No problem. What can I help you with?”

“Do you sell shoes? I think I want a pair of sneakers to go with this.”

“I’m sorry. We don’t see shoes any longer. But, there is a DSW Shoe Warehouse up Powell, and there is the San Francisco Center across the street, and they have a bunch of places you can buy shoes.”

“Okay, thanks. Also, do you know of there is anywhere I can stash this bag? I just don’t feel like carrying it. You know, like are there any places that have lockers that tourists can use, like at the airport or something like that?” Martin asked.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know of anything like that around here. I think there is a tourist info booth downstairs by the entrance to the BART station. Maybe they know.”

“Okay. Thanks again for all of your help.” Martin told her, and he really meant it.

“No problem! Have a great day!” said Andrea.

“Bye” said Martin, and he left the store. As he walked towards the escalator down to the tourist information kiosk, he saw a Payless Shoe Store across the plaza. Perfect.

HE went down the escalator, and was accosted by a panhandler at the bottom of the ride. Martin ignored him, and tried not to feel guilty. There were always panhandlers in this exact spot. One time when was waiting up top at the Muni stand, Martin saw one of the panhandlers at the bottom of the escalator score at least twenty buck over the course of fifteen minutes, and then come up to the ground level, and get into a car and drive away. He decided that day he wasn’t giving money to panhandlers in this area anymore.

He walked right over to the tourist kiosk, and found it had just closed for lunch. The woman who staffed the kiosk, however, was just walking out the door and locking it behind her. “Excuse me, can I just ask you one quick question? I’m sorry to bother you.” Martin interrupted.

“Yeah, sure, but I only have a minute or two.” She said sternly.

“Are there lockers where tourists can lock up bags and stuff, like this?” He held up the Gap bag to demonstrate his very clear question. “I just don’t really feel like carrying this around anymore.”

“What, are you crazy?” she cackled. “Yeah right, like we’re going to leave easy places for terrorists to leave bombs and anthrax and biological weapons and communications? That’s why there aren’t any large trash cans either, so don’t ask!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean any harm. I just don’t want to carry my bag around. See it is just clothes,” said Martin, leaning the bag over so she could see in.

“I don’t want to see what’s in your bag! Get that away from me! I can’t help you! I have to go now.” She blurted, and tore off in a hurry.

Wow, thought Martin, what a freak. San Francisco is full of characters, but that was a bit extreme. The thing about San Francisco, he thought, is you don’t get a lot of moderate people here. Everyone has an opinion, has a passion, and, in some cases like this, has a socially-acceptable mental disorder. “Well, except me,” he realized.

Chapter 7: http://scarletlibrarian.com/corey/chapter7.htm