Binding Home Turf

Alice went over to the employee binder that was located right next to the computer where all the passwords were located and other helpful information that could help anyone who was working whenever help was unavailable in the flesh. Normally, either one of her parents trained the new incomers, but she wanted to be the one to do so.

The convenience store only needed one employee depending on the shift since her parents were what held down the store most of the time with Alice also working often as well.

They didn't have the time nor extra money to staff more people since what they had already worked well for everyone. Maybe later in the future when her parents start to be less hands-off but that won't be any time soon at all. 

Alice showed Noah his username and password and he grabbed the mouse to click on the site before checking in. She watched over his shoulder and pointed out how they weren't so stingy when it came to what time give or take when they clocked in, but it would be best to not forget to clock in for the day because then her parents would have to go back into the system to fix it.

He nodded in understanding before straightening up from his bent position since the computer was on a smaller side table and pointed out to the door. "Please take care of me well."

She smiled. "Of course. You will be in good hands."

Alice walked out of the employee room and stepped behind the register which he followed. She pointed to the stool behind him. "You're welcome to sit down at the register to give your feet a break, but the job isn't strenuous at all. It sounds stupid to say out loud, but don't sit while checking out customers."

"Will do," Noah responded. 

"We don't have any strict rules, but one is to stay off your phone unless you're in the employee room. Also, don't eat food unless you're in the room as well. Other than that, once you know how to use the register, you should be good to go. We do make sure to do rounds at the seating sections to make sure that they are clean as well as take out the garbage can every night."

"Hmmm, it sounds doable."

Alice tapped her fingers on the white countertop. "Yes. Most of the time, I will be or my parents will be hanging around. Ask any questions if you're confused."

She went through the buttons on how to function the register, but Noah was a quick learner, so she didn't need to worry about too many things since he was able to pick it all up well. While explaining, a customer came to the register, and Alice gave the customer her practiced smile before asking, "Did you find everything alright?"

The older man dipped his head down in answer, and Alice swiftly scanned all his food items. The man seemed to be in a rush, so she didn't bother to ask her slew of questions with one of them being did they want a bag. She smiled at the man in thanks, and he was on his way with the doors opening for him as he ran out.

The store was trying to use fewer bags, so Alice tended to ask that question less frequently only when the customer had a lot to carry out. Alice looked over her shoulder at Noah before tilting her whole body to face him.

"Does that sound good to you? The bell here dings when a customer is waiting to get checked out. Our store is smaller, so we don't have any self-checkout lanes."

"I see," Noah said slowly. 

"It usually tends to be slow today to give you a heads up. Our store isn't twenty-four hours closing at midnight, but my parents send everyone home at nine pm. They are usually the last ones to leave at night after closing up shop," Alice explained carefully. "We will also do an inventory of items, but I will teach you another day since we're done for that day."

"Where are the cleaning supplies located?" he asked. "For when we wipe down the tables."

Alice took a few steps back to show him the cabinet underneath the register. She pulled the thin, silver hardware to show a full cabinet full of cleaning supplies with extra garbage bags along with some more miscellaneous items. She motioned behind her to the small locker that was tucked to the side of the enclosed rectangle register area.

She opened the locker door that had no lock to show him the broom, mop with its bucket, and extra aprons as it was also a place where one could slip on their work attire that consisted only of the red apron.

"If it starts to get dirty, start sweeping. We mop every single night, but it is quite an easy ordeal. Just put up the sign afterward."

"You're taking this a lot more seriously than I thought," Noah said.

Alice pumped her arms. "Of course. This is my home turf, and I want to keep it in good health. But that concludes the training."

"Quite quick."

Alice winked. "As it should be. Ask questions if you have them on the fly. Otherwise, we're all good to go."