At the Mall

Well, I return to the blog after a few days of being so busy, I didn’t even check my email. I’m still busy, but I’ll give you an update. Yesterday I started a temp job for some family friends; I’ll be helping them operate a kiosk at the Marley Mall until Saturday night. (I’m the one with the flower stand by the food court.) It’s already been pretty interesting. Here’s what happened last night:

6:00 pm – I show up and get a quick lesson on the basics from my sister who’s been there all day. It’s going to be pretty easy, actually.

6:10 pm – I see some friends from church mall-walking so I chat with them for a few minutes.

6:30 pm – As I chat with the lady at the kiosk next to mine, she asks me if I recently graduated from college. Whoa! That makes my day and I almost break my jaw I’m grinning so much.

6:47 pm – Some guys from Hakky (the shoe repair place) walk by and say, “You’re new. We’ll come back and get to know you after work.” Ha! I bet these guys have a girl at every kiosk.

7:08 pm- A three year old girl wanders by, with no parents. A lady behind her says she’s been following her through the mall, without seeing any adult near her. I take the child’s hand and bring her to my kiosk, intending to summon a security guard, but before I can, her mother comes running up. Her face is blotchy from crying and running through the mall, and she’s obviously scared as she grabs up the child tightly to her chest. She turns to a man skulking behind her, and screams, “That’s the last time you watch her while I’m in the store!” That guy is seriously in the doghouse.

7:17 pm – a guy comes and discusses vases with me. He handles all of them and estimates the effect they’ll have on the décor in his apartment. He works in the mall, cutting hair, and says he’ll come back to get the vases later, and I believe him. He’s of the persuasion of men who discuss vases and décor, if you know what I mean.

7:30 pm – First sale! A guy buys his wife flowers for a whopping $15.95.

7:42 pm - A ten-year old girl walks by with her grandmother. The child is begging for something in a store, but Grandma says, “Talk to the hand,” and waves her off. The kid smacks her own rear end and sasses her back. “Talk to the booty, ‘cause the hand is off duty!” Kids these days, I’m telling you!

8:03 pm – Miss Pat, the lady at the kiosk next to me, and I start a deep discussion about flowers. It is truly amazing that God created so many varieties, with their distinct colors and fragrances. They bring so much beauty to our lives; we can appreciate that plants aren’t merely functional but so pleasant, as well. We’re very philosophical . . . for about 3 minutes.

8:21 pm – Two girls come by and complain about the prices at my stand. They stand in front of the products and annoy me with their comments. Plus, they are obnoxious about it, and I think they’re very immature. I try to draw their attention to the prom corsage samples, and they inform me with disdain that they have been out of school “a long time.” They are clearly insulted, but give it a few years, girls. You’ll be happy then to be confused with young people!

8:26 pm – Obnoxious girls return and buy a gerber daisy. Finally.

8:29 pm – I am addicted to The Message. I just got a copy on Tuesday and I’ve been reading it in the down time here at the stand. LOVE IT!

8:51 pm – I start to clean up the area, very casually, so I don’t look like I’m trying to head out too early. But I’m tired. I’ve driven three hours today, had a two hour job interview, sat for three hours on a stool in the mall, and I’m done!

That was my exciting night. Temping is fun and every day provides new experiences!
Ariel Rainey2 Comments