Supplies

Remembering everything can be helpful. I only needed to see the map once to remember where everything was located. I headed down to the 1st floor and walked down the corridor past the door labeled office and straight to the next door labeled supplies. Reaching up with my card, I placed it on the reader square and heard the click of opening. I pushed the door open only to freeze in surprise. "Wow," I said. The room was huge. It resembled a mini-stationery, hardware, arts, and grocery supply store. There were even little carts to the side of the door.

As I stood in shock, a voice called out to me. "Can I help you?"

I looked over at the man behind the desk located after the carts next to the door.

"Umm... Hello, my name is Asher Phoenix. I was told that I needed to get my starter kit for school here?"

The man had black hair, wore wire glasses, and was dressed in a cardigan sweater over a white dress shirt and pants. He smiled gently at me, then said, "Yes, you're the first student to arrive this year." "I have you down for one starter kit and up to 20 credits for anything else."

"How does the supply store work? I have never seen anything like this anywhere else." I said with wide eyes.

"First, the system is quite simple. The items in here are all the necessary supplies for your various classes and recreational activities. We also carry snacks and beverages that can be taken to your room. Each Item has a credit and a monetary purchase price on it. When you start a class, those credit points are placed on your card to help you acquire the basic items that you need for that class. Anything beyond the basics you have to purchase yourself with either credits you earn through school assignments and chores, or money. The duty board where you can sign up for chores is just there." Pointing to a corkboard next to his left shoulder. "This system is to help you learn budgeting, marketing, and employment responsibility." "If you read your folder, you already know what the starter kit consists of. If you run out of anything in the starter kit or lose something from it, you can replace it here. If you feel you need anything else, you can get it here, but you will need to earn credits to pay for it or use your funds. Pretty simple, right?" He said with a smile.

"Yes," I said in amazement. "Wow, ok, how do I start?"

"Your name is Asher Phoenix, right?"

"Yes," I said.

"What room number?"

"317"

"Ok, your starter kit will be delivered to your door by 8:30 pm today. This initial service is provided at no charge. Any further purchases will either need to be carried by you or can be delivered to your door for a fee. You can also pick up your incoming mail from here or shop online and have it delivered here." He handed me a card. " This is the school's address. If you order online, please enter your delivery address and room number in the apartment slot on the order form. When it arrives, you can either pick it up here or have it delivered to your door for a fee. We will notify you by text on your phone when it arrives."

"How do I sign up for chores?"

"Just look for the chore you want to do on the board and then take the strip of paper to this desk to fill out the contract for the chore. Once you are assigned a chore, it must be completed before you can receive the credit applied to your card. Your personal card is used to log each step and assignment completion. If you don't complete the assigned chore and break the contract, a penalty will be applied to your account, so make sure you do the chore you chose as your assignment."

"Are there any good assignments yet?" I asked in amazement.

"Well, we don't usually have anything until classes start, but I do have one here for help in the garden. One of the teachers needs some help gathering herbs for the cooking class when it starts. She was hoping to get some students who had just arrived to help. Interested?"

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"Ok, then just read and sign here." Handing me a contract.

I took the contract and read it carefully.

For five days, starting Monday, student _______________will report to Ms. Markham, the chef,in the back garden greenhouse at 5:30 a.m. to pick the designated herbs for the cooking class. In return, the assigned person will receive 20 credits per day, totaling 100 credits by the end of the week.

That's pretty straightforward. I thought. I quickly signed my name and handed the paper back. Then I realized something and looked a little sheepish. "Um.. what's your name, sir?"

The man chuckled, "You can call me Mr. Sam."

"Sorry, Mr. Sam, I was so overwhelmed that I skipped the proper greeting." My face flushed red.

"No worries, I didn't mind." He laughed.

"Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"Not at the moment. Thank you. I want to explore and possibly purchase some snacks for my room."

"Ok, go ahead and grab a cart."

"Thanks," I said, and then grabbed a cart. Pushing it slowly around the store. 

The cart was a little bigger for me, but still small-sized compared to most kid-sized carts. At least it wasn't adult-sized, or I would be having a lot more issues with it.

I went down the stationary side first. Looking at all the pencils and pens. Crayons and chalk. Papers and notepads, and general office supplies. At least if I run out of something, I can get it here. I thought. I had packed a lot of desk items in my luggage, so most of this stuff I already had. Stationery leads into the art supplies, where I saw some calligraphy workbooks that I added to my cart, along with a calligraphy pen and an ink set. I also added some brushes, paints, and canvases, as well as a couple of sketchbooks. Then I went down the crafting aisle. 

I almost lost myself in this aisle. I had to keep reminding myself that I was only six years old right now and couldn't use dangerous, pointy objects yet until I taught my body better motor control. The next aisle over was the yarn, sewing, and fabric aisle. I pick out some green and blue wool and a crochet needle. I also got a travel sewing kit to be on the safe side. You never know when you might need to repair a hole in your trousers or somewhere else unexpectedly.

The next aisle held the gardening supplies. Reflecting on the chore I assigned myself, I picked out some gloves, clippers, a trowel, and a basket. I also grabbed some hemp rope. And a water bottle, since this aisle leads into the survival aisle. I mentally cataloged everything in this aisle so that I would know what I would need to get online, since I had every intention of attending the Saturday survival course.

The final aisle was the snacks and beverages aisle. Remembering the size of the fridge in my room and the shelving space next to it, I grabbed some healthy chips and cheese along with some water bottles and juices. Then I pushed the cart back to Mr. Sam.

"Are you done then?" He asked

"Yes, I am," I replied. "I would also like to get this delivered to my room, please."

"Will do. The amount will be deducted from your card in credits and money. Is that alright?"

"Yes, that's fine, thank you."

"Very well. It will be delivered just after lunch, as there are no other students here at the moment and no line to get through. You should head to lunch, though, otherwise you'll miss it. It started 15 minutes ago." 

I looked at him in alarm. And cursed inwardly. Darn it, I knew I spent too much time in the woodcrafts aisle.