By Hosho McCreesh

Akira had searched the tables, searched the bright, earthy pastel walls, the giant windows and exposed industrial elements, and the stacked stone columns lining the airy room, past all the beautiful faces of the untroubled, upper-middle-class pricks, hoping — but knowing he wasn’t lucky enough to catch her working. He waited the hour or so for shift change, eating slowly, and texting people, and sharing idiotic videos of dudes putting Mentos in a two-liter of Pepsi, or of some kid fighting invisible Stormtroopers with a Photoshopped lightsaber with Kurt, even though Tuesday wasn’t a work day for her. She sometimes hung out even when she wasn’t working, but no such luck today. Without her, Akira hated the place — even though the overpriced food was pretty good. Everything from the dull and obvious lifestyles, to the idiotic conversations he spied on — these people and their adorable, so-called problems — was fake and infuriating.

“Everything’s some cheap-ass imitation of the way shit is supposed to be, you know?” said Akira, picking at the last of his turkey jack and fries.
“True true,”  Kurt said. “It’s like I don’t even know what my life is supposed to be.”
“I’ll tell you what life ain’t,” Akira said. “Working at Ginger’s Burgerhaus.”
“That’s no bullshit right there.”
“Fuck that place,” Akira said. “I’m glad we got fired.”
“You think Mrs. Beckley knew about the weed?”
“Who cares?” Akira said, checking his Facebook. It was full of stupid, self-important shit — as usual.
“It seems like she knew.” Kurt said, still worrying about it. “I mean, yeah, we weren’t good employees—”
“Damn right we weren’t!”
“But they usually don’t fire you just for that.”
“Look at that dumbass, Sam,” Akira said
“Dude couldn’t do anything right.”
“He keeps his job but we’re out?” Akira asked.
“They had to know,” Kurt said. “I hope they don’t tell my parents.”
“Whatever,” Akira said.

Kurt was such a bitch. He’d be a whole lot better off if he stood up to his parents for once in his miserable life.

“Fuck Ginger…right in her Burgerhaus,” Akira said.

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Hosho McCreesh is currently writing & painting in the gypsum & caliche badlands of the American Southwest. His work has appeared widely in print, audio, & online. Purchase Chinese Gucci Here.