Since Antoinella had signed a confidentiality agreement about what she had witnessed, no one asked about Samantha's stint in the back room. She was greeted with politeness on her first day of work.

It was a confusing reaction for Ty to witness, especially after he had watched Helia take instantly to Samantha. He assumed she would walk into Good Time and make fast friends.

Ty recalled his first day at Good Time two years earlier: within thirty minutes, employees had shared stories and jokes. Their treatment of him had been different than what he saw happening with his double. Everyone was more...reserved.

The only person who displayed interest in Samantha was Wallace. He hardly left her side, praising her intuitive knowledge of the cash register. After three hours, she asked if she could move on to another store task, like packing out freight.

"No, uh, we'll keep you on register for a few more days, make sure you're comfortable with it," Wallace said.

Samantha didn't look happy. Her sour grapes ran deep, as she refused to greet customers, or wish them a good day. Midday, Ty asked her what the problem was.

"I hate being on register. It fucking sucks," she said.

"Yeah, but pretend to like it, just like everyone else."

"Everyone else, like you and Thompson, are out on the floor. I'm stuck here watching people use the damn kiosk instead of me."

More often, customers took advantage of the self-checkout feature at the two kiosks, even before Samantha began her first day. It was five weeks until Halloween, Good Time's busy season, but so far they had hired only three new employees, including Samantha. Three was half the number of new hires they'd had the year before. Pen had explained how the service kiosks had cut down on the need for employees, right after complaining about the lack of diversity he encountered amongst new hires.

"Only blacks," he had muttered to Ty, "and they never listen. I'm glad I got you and Marilyn; you two are hard-workers. Guess it's genetics, huh, ya bunch of wetbacks!"

Pen had laughed and elbowed Ty, but Ty hadn't elbowed him back.

"Since the kiosks are being used so much, maybe next year you won't even have to hire anyone," Ty had ventured.

Pen had nodded. "I just don't feel comfortable around a big group of them people, ya know."

Ty had told him yeah, I know, but he really didn't.

Not that any of what Pen had told him was relevant to Samantha's situation. Ty knew he could convince her to be a team player. After all, she was just like him, and he loved to please. If he told her how she could better herself, she might listen.

"Try to be charming so the customers want to come to you instead of the kiosk," Ty said.

"Charming, eh?" Samantha parroted. "Don't you remember your first week here?"

What did his first week have to do with kiosks?

Loud voices and laughter stole his attention, and Ty went to investigate the growing customer service issue brewing at the other end of the store.

~*~

A/N: Dedicated to a fellow Joss Whedon fan, amberkbryant. She's won Watty's, Margaret Atwood contests, and much more. Her paranormal books, The Fold Series, is one of my favs, starting with: 

https://www.wattpad.com/story/14077910-unseen-watty-winner-%E2%9C%94

She's also another wonderful member of #TeamInsides&Entrails for the Zombiepalooza hosted on the WalkingWithZombies profile.