Page 20 of Break Room
Penny tiptoes to look around the entire second floor. A middle-aged man who seems to be the floor manager is talking to a customer in a corner that has been decorated as a modern bedroom. Penny carefully approaches him so as not to interrupt their conversation.
His look really does scream ‘Manager’. While all other employees wear aprons around their waists bearing a brooch carved with the number ‘2’, he flaunts a lavish jacket, the brooch on his left lapel. He seems wiry and shrewd.
‘Why can’t I buy it?’ asks a young male customer, confused.
‘I’m sorry, but how about you come by another time?
I’m afraid too many thoughts are distracting you right now, and they’ll obscure the clarity of the dream.
It’s better to have a good night’s sleep first. I’ve seen ninety-nine per cent of customers like yourself have their thoughts creep in and change their dreams to an entirely different story.
There’s some amazing onion milk on the next street.
It helps you sleep well. I’d recommend that you try it and get some sleep first.’
The customer grumbles and goes off toward the elevator. The manager-looking man picks up the product the customer has left behind, wipes it with his handkerchief, and places it back on the shelf, carefully straightening the angle.
‘Excuse me . . . Are you the manager for the second floor?’ Penny asks politely and cautiously.
The man is wearing pristinely ironed trousers, and his shoes do not have even a speck of dust. His moustache is neatly trimmed.
His hair, too short for grooming, is pulled back with oily wax. Penny finds him difficult to approach.
‘Yes, I am. Vigo Myers is my name. First day of work here?’
‘Er, yes. I’m Penny. How did you know?’ Penny covers her cheeks to hide any indication of ‘amateur’ or ‘newbie’ on her face.
‘Customers rarely come to me first. They usually call for other employees. They say I’m not easy to talk to, which I don’t mind.
So that gave you away, and you didn’t look familiar.
It was a natural deduction.’ Myers folds his arms and gives Penny a stern look.
‘You must be on a floor tour. I remember the boss mentioning you.’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Good. Any questions about my floor?’
Penny’s biggest question is how they can tie the ribbon decorations into such a perfect bow for every single product, but she holds back and asks her second-biggest question instead.
‘Why didn’t you sell the dream to that customer?’
‘Good question.’ Myers loosens his arms and strokes one of the display stands.
‘All the dreams on this floor are some of the best products that I’ve curated through meticulous inspection.
The last thing I want to see is the customers returning to complain about how silly the dreams are.
Remember – you shouldn’t sell dreams to just anybody, or you won’t get the payment they deserve. ’
Penny knows the store takes deferred payments from outside customers, but that’s all she knows. She nods, pretending she understands.
‘Newbies these days. I heard all they do is bring a cover letter and have a quick interview with DallerGut. And just like that, they’re in!’ Myers scoffs in sotto voce.
‘Yes . . . I mean, that’s how I got in, too.’
‘Well, that’s preposterous! I’m thinking of requiring another round of tests for the employees on my floor.
The uncertainty and discontinuity of dreams, and their flexible and perilous nature, cannot be grasped with moderate knowledge.
No, sir! Did you know I double-majored in Dreamatography and Dream Neuroscience?
My thesis was published in more academic journals than I can count.
My knowledge has been enormously helpful in my work here.
Weather may have gotten her manager position on the first floor because she’s worked with DallerGut longer, but I have earned my place purely by talent.
You don’t think I’m here by luck, do you? ’
‘Of course not. That is amazing!’
Penny doesn’t want to be bothered with doing extra tests to work on the second floor. It seems that Myers realises this, as he steps back to shout at his employees. ‘All right, everyone! All remaining items on the third display, go to the first! Let’s move. Chop-chop!’
‘Yes, manager!’
The employees swiftly go into motion at Myers’ command. Their linen aprons are smooth as if freshly ironed, making Penny keenly aware of the wrinkled edges of her blouse, which she struggles to pull straight as she heads upstairs.
The third floor is merrier in comparison. The product posters patched across the wall come together surprisingly well, making a colourful, trendy wallpaper. A recent hit song plays through the speakers.
There is excitement among the dream buyers, not to mention the employees. One staffer is in full sales mode with a customer, intent on selling a fancy dream box with powder-pink, heart-shaped ornaments dangling from it.
‘Chuck Dale’s “Sensual Dream Series” is always out of stock.
How about this one by Keith Gruer? If you’re lucky enough, you might go on a dream date with your dream date in your dream!
’ At the slightest interest displayed by the customer, the employee adds, almost inaudibly, ‘The caveat is that depending on your condition, the person you go on a date with can be completely random.’
The third-floor staff seem more carefree.
They have each modified their work aprons to their own liking.
One has hers turned into a princess-style dress, while another has a badge with a picture of his favourite dreammaker pinned to his apron.
One staffer, busy replacing a small bulb inside a display case, has a huge pocket sewn on to her apron so that she can carry a stash of chocolate bars.
Penny’s eyes are busy looking for someone who looks like a manager. No one seems to stand out by wearing a more senior uniform or looking more experienced. Penny approaches a nearby employee cleaning a display case, wearing a typical linen apron.
‘Excuse me, can you direct me to the floor manager? Today is my first day and I’m on a tour.’
‘Oh my god – a newbie! You’re looking at her. Mogberry here. I’m the manager on the third floor.’
She is wearing the same uniform as the other employees. Her short, curly hair is tied back, but thin baby hairs stick out all over. Mogberry looks too young to be a manager, her rosy cheeks adding to her youthful looks.
Penny gives her a polite bow. ‘My name is Penny. DallerGut instructed me to take a look around the store, so here I am.’
‘So I’ve heard. Welcome to the third floor!
’ says Mogberry with a wide smile. ‘This is where all the groundbreaking and fun activity dreams are. Oh, sorry, would you excuse me for a second?’ Mogberry turns and asks a customer hovering nearby, ‘Can I help you, ma’am?
Any specific dream you’re looking for? If you have any preference, let me know. I can suggest some recommendations.’
The customer is wearing sporty shorts and a sleeveless top with a long neckline that stretches down to his chest. He looks like a middle-schooler. As if feeling cold, he constantly rubs his hands together.
‘I’m looking for one where I’m the centre of attention. Better if the whole world revolves around me. The last dream I bought, I showed off a cool rap performance in front of the entire class at a school festival, and I felt like one of those dope kids.’
‘There aren’t many left in stock . . . Oh, how about this sci-fi movie series? Superhero movies are big these days. You can be a crimson iron hero or an invincible green monster. The dream-maker, Celine Gluck, is famous for her attention to detail, so you would be instantly immersed in the world.’
‘Awesome. I actually saw a superhero movie today! So yes, I’ll definitely have one, please!’
Mogberry smiles in satisfaction at striking the deal. The customer takes the product from her and tucks it under his arm as he disappears to the opposite side of the floor to browse the other dreams.
Penny watches him disappear. She suddenly remembers the notice she saw hanging in the Leprechauns’ shoe store window on her way to work.
‘I heard “Flying Dream” by the Leprechauns is on the third floor. Are those sold out already?’ Penny asks.
Mogberry, who has been all smiles, suddenly frowns.
‘Flying dreams are always out of stock. Do you know how cunning these Leprechaun scoundrels are? I wouldn’t say I liked it from the beginning when those shoe-making brats started getting into the dream business out of the blue.
Sure enough, I caught them in their delivery sneaking in dreams that make you feel immobile, like your feet are made of steel!
They say it’s for good business, that you can get paid more this way.
When I called them out on it, they threatened to cut supplies if I don’t stay out of their business because, you know, only they can make those dreams. I mean, what nonsense is that? ’
Penny regrets not having studied about the dream payment system.
Why do those immobile dreams pay better?
She cannot understand the logic. She has come across economic s books like The Economics of Deferred Dream Payments and Sell Dreams, Buy a House at bookstores, but she has never dared to read them.
She is hopeless with money or just anything number-related.
Penny wants to ask Mogberry but decides not to, afraid to give off the impression of an underqualified novice that could jeopardise her chances of getting a job on any of the floors.