Chapter III
March 13th, 1999
“Now pay attention, grasshopper. You have a lot to learn today,” Dave told William.
He had a black necktie tied around his forehead like a hachimaki, as if he were in
one of the martial arts movies he watched. “Are you prepared?”
William rolled his eyes. This marked his first day of training at the Video Coop.
Ed was supposed to train him, but Dave took over instead. William knew better than
to egg Dave on or give him too much push back. Doing either would only make him
louder and more obnoxious.
He hadn’t wanted a job, but his father insisted he start helping pay for car
insurance. William suspected if he hadn’t, his dad would’ve covered it anyway, but
he wanted to prove his independence.
With Casey's birthday next week, he wanted to buy her something meaningful. His
father was generous, but William knew he wouldn't give him money to buy his
girlfriend presents. A little spending cash of his own wouldn’t hurt either.
“Focus!” Dave shouted. “You might think you know how to rewind videos, but you’re
mistaken. Be prepared to learn the lost art of the rewind.”
Dave hopped over the counter, only to crash onto the floor, taking about twenty
videos with him.
“I just got done organizing those!” Ed shouted from across the store.
“They’re still organized, Ed!” Dave shouted back. “They’re just organized on the
floor!”