Welcome to the Weirdness

DING! Congratulations host, on becoming the newest ice cream shoppe proprietor! I am the system that is assigned to ensure growth and opportunity for the shop and will be available for you day and night.

"What?" I blinked as a a clear blue interface appeared in front of me.

I am the system that will help guide you through becoming the best store proprietor you can be. I activated when you put the bracelet and ring on.

Ah, ok. I see. I thought to myself. The thing of literary trope has happened. I have a system. Which means (I could almost hear the drumroll) that this shop is a bit more than normal ice cream. Which might be why there are only three flavors.

"Hello System." I responded calmly. "It's nice to be integrated with you."

"Oh, manners! You didn't react like the other guy who, upon knowing that we bonded using the bracelet and ring, ripped them off and threw them across the room. My gems hurt for days!" The system's voice, now a temperate, warm male voice laughed a little at it's own joke. 

"I might be a little more flexible in my thinking." I gave a wry grin. "Just not in my fashion." I still resented the uniform Eve insisted I wear. "Whatever. Now what, System?"

"Now? We get to it. You can see your display, right?"

"I can." I ran my eyes across the display. 

It had my picture followed by my personal/family information. 

"Bridgette Lethe (18), third child of William (50) and Janet (48) Lethe. Two older brothers. First brother Simon (30) married to Lisa (25), two children Aaron and Ashley, twins (10). Second brother Erik (25), not married. Dating Minnie (23). No kids. Both work in finance, own their own homes."

Age 18

Job: Telemarketer (ends tomorrow), new proprietor of the ice cream shoppe

Level: 0 (0/100)

Stats: STR 15, DEX 22, CON 18, INT 22, WIS 25, CHA 25

Health: 125/125

MP: 0/125

Proficiencies: Dance, Acrobatics, Song, Instruments, Language, Animal charming, Investigation, Persuasion, Cooking

Stamina: 25

MA: None/Hidden Mental

"So, what does this mean?" I prodded the system. 

"Basically, this is you on paper. If you'll move to the next screen, you should see your first task." System responded.

"Me on paper. It's kind of sad." I sighed, and scrolled to the next to screen.

Mission: Sell five ice cream scoops

Time Limit: 3 days

Reward: New Flavor

Failure to complete will result in pay reduction. 

"Pay reduction?" I gasped. "That wasn't in the contract!"

"It's in the contract, but you didn't read the clause." The voice of the system was smug. "They never do."

Ugh. I glared at Eve, who shrugged with her arms out at her sides, palms up as if to say, what can I do? 

"Anyway!" Eve moved toward the storage room door. "I have to go, many other things I need to make sure are running smoothly. Call my name if you need me. I'll be there as soon as I can after that."

I watched sourly as she zipped out the front door, then turned back to the system screen floating in front of me. There were several more screens. One was the generic backpack that all video games use. I opened that tab with a wave of my hand. 

Inside the backpack had 20 slots in a 4 by 5 layout. So far, I didn't have anything in the backpack. My character, standing next to the backpack, had my 'Customer Service Uniform' on a rotating 3D replica of me. There was a place for a hat, which was filled, and a ring/bracelet, which was filled. 

When I focused on each item, I was able to get a feel for what that item did for me. The 'Customer Service Uniform' (CSU) ensured that no one could actually read me or my stats. I would be a mystery. Pretty high level item. It also allowed me to read anyone elses stats, except someone who was more than three levels above my own. Pretty decent trade off. 

The ugly, boring visor sped up my intellect and wisdom, giving me a boost in each, but only after I reached level one. The ring and bracelet combo was the key to the shop, the link with the system until a 'neural link' could be established at higher levels, and gave me power over everything in the store, from things to people to beasties to pretty much anything else. 

My shoes, which were my normal ones, didn't do anything, but the stockings gave me a boost to stamina and made me run faster.

Finally, it was noted that I was invincible inside the store - no one could hurt me or kill me, but outside a ten foot radius from the store, I was just as fragile as the next human. The buffs of the 'armor' (CSU), jewelry, hat, and stockings were only good inside the store, or within a ten foot radius of the store.

"Alright, so I just won't leave the store." I mumbled.

"Good that you said that. Since unless otherwise specified, you cannot leave the premises at all." The System was apologetic.

"Well, now that it's not a choice, I'm more than a little angry." I glared down at the jewelry.

"You'll see why as the store and you level up." The system assured me. 

"Sure, we'll see." I glanced around the shop. "What about sleeping? Eating? Days off? How do I manage that if I can't leave the store?"

"There is an apartment upstairs for you to live in, as Eve told you before. The refrigerator is stocked with fresh food daily or, if you'd prefer, you can leave a list in the storage room every night with the food you would like the next day, and it will be provided the following morning." The system sounded smug. "We offer you all of the amenities of a hotel on site. You won't even have to clean or tidy anything - the apartment will automatically set itself to clean when you leave."

"And my things in my apartment? How do I get those?"

"They will be delivered to you in the morning in the storage room. Since the apartment is fully furnished, your old furniture will not be transferred."

Alright, ok. I nodded. "Alright, lets get started. Can I make changes to the shop?"

"What sort of changes?" System was cautious.

"Oh, you know, can I play some music? Stores or shops always have music playing. Also, little niche shops like this would have a folding board outside that announces their products to draw people in. Can I do that?"

"Really?" The system was unsure. "We're not supposed to advertise or actively hock our goods or services."

 "We're just doing a little marketing." I used a reasonable tone. "And following current market trends. These boutique/niche shops have to advertise somehow. It's not like I'm trying to take out a newspaper or radio ad."

"Processing request." The system somehow conveyed that it was not happy with the request. About a minute later, though, the system seemed to sigh at me. "Request approved. No other advertising though, just the announcement board outside."

I clapped. "Awesome! I'll get started."

Welcome to the weirdness, I thought to myself as I turned on a playlist on my phone and began a list of what I'd need to 'spruce' up the shop. I'd leave it in the storage area, along with a grocery list after I closed that night.