Customer Service

It was a cool, tranquil morning in Reading, Pennsylvania as Logan and Trey prepared to open up shop. The two teenagers worked at a downtown brick-and-mortar store, specializing in high-quality outdoor clothing and hiking gear. While Logan was counting the money in the registers, Trey was tidying up the place just minutes before the store opened.

They both had just recently enjoyed Veterans day off, an important day that holds a significant place in their boss’s heart. Andrew Harris was a 40-year-old military veteran who served his country for over 20 years. He has toured numerous times in foreign countries and was awarded many medals for his achievements.

While his track record was impressive, Andrew decided to retire from the military to pursue his life-long dream of owning his own business. Since opening, he has been well known as a kind-hearted, benevolent individual who has given back to the community. Andrew has also made generous donations towards charitable causes, especially towards veterans.

After unlocking the front doors and turning on the open sign, Logan and Trey finished their early morning tasks as they both started putting up a new product on the shelves. While stocking the newest item, the front door swung open, chiming a little bell that grabbed their attention.

Walking in was a tall, slender gentleman. He was clean shaven and wore a long sleeve collared shirt tucked inside a slim pair of khaki pants. He also had a small gun holster at his hip with a handgun inside. Most of his attire was covered by his work apron equipped with pens, notepads, and other small tools a working man would typically use.

“Good morning gentlemen.” he calmly smiled while holding a drink carrier containing three large coffee cups. “This place looks magnificent.”

“Thanks boss!” nodded Trey as he and Logan greeted Andrew.

“Take a break fellas, I got you some coffee.” he said as he handed them their drinks. “Mrs. Childress has made a fresh batch just for us.”

“Oh, thank you!” they smiled as Logan and Trey reached for their respective drinks.

“So…did you guys enjoy your day off yesterday?” Andrew politely asked.

“I did.” Logan responded after taking a sip, “I slept in and spent some time with my girlfriend.”

“Yeah, I went to visit family for most of the day.” answered Trey, “What about you Mr. Harris?”

“It was wonderful.” he said composedly, “I went on an excellent hike and even got a breathtaking view of the landscape. Then…I took some time to visit a memorial and spent a few moments honoring our nation’s fallen heroes.”

“Sounds like you had a productive day.” Trey continued.

“I did.” Andrew smiled. “Now…how are we looking today, gentlemen?”

“Everything is cleaned and stocked, sir.” Logan said as he took another sip of his coffee.

“Yup, all the shelves are organized and everything seems to be in working order.” Trey added.

“Excellent. As you both know, we have had more theft in recent months. I have added more cameras so the extra security should help deter people from stealing. I already managed to catch a few on video but it doesn’t hurt to be even more cautious.” Andrew announced. “With that being said, if either of you know or suspect anyone who is up to no good, please report to me immediately.”

“Will do, sir!” they responded.

“Great!” Andrew smiled. “Now, while I leave you two gentlemen with the store, I will be in the back checking inventory and preparing to place an order for more supplies.”

“Sounds good!” his employees cheered.

As Andrew took a sip of his coffee, he calmly made his way towards the back of the store. After walking down a hallway, he entered a set of numbers on a keypad to unlock the door to his office. Closing the door behind him, he set his cup down on his desk and then sat in his chair to work.

Thirty minutes had passed and only a few customers had entered the store. While Logan and Trey alternated in helping customers, everything was running as smoothly as ever.

“Man, that coffee was really good.” Trey mentioned as he finished his cup.

“For real, Mr. Harris is a pretty cool boss.” Logan mentioned.

“I know!” Trey responded with enthusiasm, “For someone who’s been in the military for 20 years, you’d think he’d be a hard-ass.”

“Well thankfully he’s pretty chill.” Laughed Logan. “He kinda reminds me of Gus.”

“Gus?”

“Yeah…you know, Gus. Gustavo from Breaking Bad?” Logan hinted. “Not the asshole side of Gus that deals with drugs. The nice Gus that runs that restaurant in the show.”

“You know…” Trey nodded after a short pause, “I can see that. Maybe if Gus was white…then yeah, definitely!”

Both Logan and Trey laughed as they carried on while taking care of the store. After their most recent customer had just left, Trey turned his head towards the windows and noticed an extravagant SUV pull into the parking lot.

“Ahh…shit.” he sighed.

“What’s up?” asked Logan.

“She’s back again.”

“Fuck…” muttered Logan as he ran his fingers through his own hair.

Logan knew exactly who Trey was referring to. He too looked up and noticed the silver SUV as well.

“I really hope her husband comes in instead.” Trey said, shaking his head. “I’d rather have one of us deal with his boring, nasally-monotone ass than his wife.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Logan said as he noticed the passenger side door opening up. “Looks like our ‘Karen’ has returned yet again.”

“Damn-it.” Trey whispered.

Upon exiting the vehicle was a woman wearing ritzy clothing as she fanned her blonde hair back with her designer sunglasses. Her dress looked expensive and did an impressive job of making her tummy appear flatter than what it normally is. She held up a large paper bag with one arm and carried her purse & phone with the other.

Looks-wise, she was a very attractive woman. She could have easily passed as a plus size model with her nice body, rocking some lovely thick thighs and a nice, plump ass. While she had a pretty face with long blonde hair, her large 36DDD breasts were her best assets. Her personality on the other hand…wasn’t as pretty.

“Shit, man.” Logan sighed. “If she wasn’t such an ass, I’d say she would be the hottest milf I’ve ever seen.”

“I agree.” Trey responded. “So I guess it’s your turn to take care of her?”

Logan closed his eyes and exhaled deeply through his nose. He remembered that Trey had to deal with her last time which meant that he would have to take care of her this time.

“Yeah...” he sighed.

“Listen, I am going to finish stocking those shelves over there.” Trey said, “If she gets out of hand, let me or Mr. Harris know. Remember what he said.”

“I know, I think I will be okay.” Logan responded.

After patting Logan on the back, Trey headed on over towards one end of the store where he was just out of sight. They both knew if Audrey saw both of them together, she would complain that they were horsing around and not working. After a minute of Trey stocking the shelves, the front door swung open.

Stepping inside was Audrey Reynolds, the quintessential ‘Karen’ that Logan and Trey have had the displeasure of knowing. She was indeed the rudest, most entitled customer they ever had to deal with.

Once stepping inside, she immediately walked straight towards the front counter where Logan stood. She had her iPhone to her ear, talking very loudly, acting as if she was very busy. Logan quietly gulped, hoping to get this over with and send her on her way before she could get really angry.

“Hello! Welcome t-.”

“Yeah, I need to exchange this.” Audrey demanded as she set the paper bag down on the front counter.

It was very common for her to interrupt employees. Audrey was one of those people who was very privileged and grew up with parents that worked hard so that their children didn’t have to. She was unfortunately a prime example of that. After graduating high school, she married a guy who had a lucrative job at an investment company. Since then, she has had an easy, luxurious life.

“Okay, let me see.” Logan responded as he calmly reached for the bag.

Looking inside, he pulled out a slightly worn jacket that appeared to be bought from somewhere else. Tilting the bag over, Logan checked to see if there was a receipt. Of course there wasn’t.

Waiting patiently for Audrey to get off the phone, Logan set the jacket aside and waited for her to get off of the phone. After a minute of standing in awkward silence, Logan remained patient with her until she glanced over at him.

“Hold on a sec.” she said before pulling her phone away from her ear. “Why are you standing there? I said I want this exchanged.”

“Yeah…but miss, we don’t have this jacket.” Logan defended, “I am pretty sure we have never sold this jacket.”

“Sorry, I will call you later.” Audrey said as she hung up her phone, “What do you mean you never sold it here? I literally bought this for my son last week. Just exchange this for another one so I can go.”

“Okay, d…do you have a receipt?” he nervously replied. “Just so I can check to see if we have any in the back.”

“Does it look like I have a receipt?” she rebutted, glaring at Logan with her nose scrunched up.

“S…sorry. But I need a-.”

“Listen…can I ask you something?” Audrey asked in an irritated tone.

Without saying a word, Logan nervously nodded his head.

“How hard is it to do your job?” she scorned. “I mean seriously, my son could do a better job than you.”

Logan’s lips began to tremble. Audrey spent the next few minutes berating him. He felt his throat tightening up, wanting to yell at her. Logan also wanted to throw his fist through her face but was worried he would lose his job. The bitter look she gave him made him sick to his stomach as he tried his best to fight back the tears.

“Listen, I…I’m s…sorry. B…but-.”

“No! You listen!” she yelled. “I am YOUR customer. The CUSTOMER is always RIGHT! In fact, I am done with you. I want to speak to your manager.”

Nervously gulping once more, Logan tried to de-escalate the situation but Audrey was not having it.

“I…I-.”

“NOW!” she demanded.

Feeling defeated, Logan nodded his head. He briefly saw Trey’s reflection in the window as he knew his friend felt bad for him. Logan then headed over towards the back of the store feeling the stare of Audrey’s eyes burning right through him. Walking down the hallway with his head slouched, he stopped in front of his boss’s office door. He briefly paused for a few seconds, taking in a deep breath before knocking on his door.

A few seconds later, Logan heard a few buttons being pressed on the other side of the door before it swung open. Standing in front of him was his boss who had a look of concern on his face.

“Logan, is something troubling you?” he calmly asked.

“S…sorry to bother you, sir. I know you’re busy but a customer wants to see you.” he trembled.

Andrew looked at his employee and could tell Audrey must have returned.

“Please, step inside Logan.”

After inviting Logan into his office, Andrew gently closed the door behind him. He then walked up and rested his hands on Logan’s shoulder.

“It’s Mrs. Reynolds again, isn’t it?” he softly asked.

“Y…yeah.” Logan tearfully said. “She wanted to exchange a jacket, but the jacket she brought with her was from a brand we never sold before. I politely asked for a receipt and she went off and yelled at me.”

Andrew looked at his employee with sympathy. He knew something had to be done.

“I am so sorry that you had to go through that,” he said calmly. “If you don’t mind me asking, do you by any chance know the size of the jacket?”

“E…extra large.” he whimpered.

“Thank you.” Andrew politely responded.

Andrew then reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp $100 bill and handed it to Logan.

“Logan, you are a fantastic employee.” he continued. Both you and Trey are magnificent young boys. If I can tell you anything from my 40 years on this planet, it’s this…hurt people, hurt people.”

Logan looked up at his boss with a little redness around his eyes from the tears that he tried holding back. He noticed the hundred dollar bill and slowly reached up to grab it.

“What’s this for?” Logan asked.

“I would like for you to take my truck and pick up some lunch for the three of us.” Andrew smiled. “My treat. And you deserve some fresh air, Logan. I will handle Mrs. Reynolds.”

“Thanks, Mr. Harris.” Logan smiled.

After escorting his employee out of his office and towards the back door of the store, Andrew stepped back into his office to clear off his desk. Upon locking up his laptop and other valuables, he walked over towards a large box full of clothing. Andrew quickly found a brand new extra large jacket and placed it inside his desk drawer.

Stepping out of his office, he stood straight up and adjusted his attire. Andrew then closed his eyes while taking a deep breath, and forced a smile on his face as he made his way to the front register.