The Emporium is open -- Monday

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

Michael opened the shop and sunk down on the stool behind the counter. The grey day matched his mood. Resting his elbows on the counter, he rubbed his hands over his face. It was going to be a long day.

((ooc: You're welcome to come harrass play with emo!Michael, but I'm going to have to slow-play it during the day because of work.))

Comments

[walter-n-wires.livejournal.com]

Walter, looking significantly more subdued than usual, shows up first thing in the morning. He moves directly to the junk food section and returns to the counter with a half dozen boxes of hostess cupcakes.

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"Nice nutritious breakfast," Michael said, the sarcasm tempered by a sort of sympathy in his voice. "You look like I feel." He rang up the items. "$14.12."

[walter-n-wires.livejournal.com]

"I think they're revolting, but Principal Smith likes them," Walter replied with a faint smile while he stuck the boxes in a mesh shopping bag. As long as he kept his head down, the bright red mark on his cheek was probably hidden by his hair.

He handed Michael a ten and a five and shook his head. "I'm sorry you feel that bad. I hope things get better for you."

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"Thanks." Michael handed back the change.

He nearly jumped out of his skin as Ben, who had come up from behind, laid his hand on Michael's back. "I'm going out for a while," Ben said quietly, giving Michael a quick peck on the cheek.

"Back soon?" Michael asked over his shoulder. Ben nodded. He offered a brief smile to Walter before heading out the door.

Michael turned back to his customer. "Been a rough couple of days." It was all the explanation he offered.

[walter-n-wires.livejournal.com]

Walter nodded at the new man, who had to be Michael's husband and watched him leave.

"I know the feeling," Walter said sympathetically to Michael's comment. He took his change and his junk food and smiled wanly at Michael. "Here's hoping things get better for both of us."

He gave Michael a wave and headed for the door.

Late Afternoon

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana comes in looking pale and nervous - and very subdued. She gives Michael a half smile. "Hey," she said. "I was actually wondering if Ben was around."

Re: Late Afternoon

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"He's upstairs toweling off, he should be down in a minute." Michael rolled his eyes. "He's been walking around in the rain today. You'd think he'd know better at his age."

Re: Late Afternoon

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes walking in the rain gives you time to think," Lana said quietly. "And you tend not to have people bother you while you're thinking 'cause they're just worried about getting in out of the rain."

Re: Late Afternoon

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

Ben comes down the stairs, some of his hair sticking up because awwww, cute. He looks a little surprised to see Lana. "Hi, Lana. How are you?" If his concern seems extremely genuine, it's because he remembers her running out of Spike's, crying, on Saturday evening.

about 2pm

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Hi, Michael," Inara says as she enters the shop. Then she notices his pose. "Are you all right?"

Re: about 2pm

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

Michael gives a half-smile as he raises his head. "Been a long couple of days," he says wearily. "How have you been?"

Re: about 2pm

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"I've been very well. Can I help in any way?"

Re: about 2pm

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"I'm just sort of stuck with a decision I don't want to make." He looks up at her. "How much should you be willing to give up for someone you love?"

[gikkingen.livejournal.com]

The Baron strolled into the Emporium in search of things. Sadly, he was too short to see anything above the bottom shelf, so he went right to the counter and leapt up to save the neck-craning.

"Excuse me, do you carry looseleaf tea and where may I find it?"

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

Michael blinked. Not that there weren't a half-dozen "people" who were in the shape of animals around here, but this was somebody new. "Hi there. Yes, yes we do. It's on Aisle 2."

[gikkingen.livejournal.com]

The Baron bowed his head. "Thank you." He jumped off the counter and strode in the direction of Aisle 2, looking up at the shelves. He located the tea and scaled the shelves, using his cane to hold himself in place as he perused the varieties, finally selecting Twinnings English Breakfast. He tucked a box under his arm and approached the counter again.

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"Did you find what you need?" Michael spots the box and adds, "I see you did. If that's all for you, that'll be $2.84." He offers a smile. "I take it you're new to Fandom, at least I don't recognize you."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

During mid-afternoon, a vaguely familiar teenage boy comes in. He buys a box of L'Oreal Féria hair bleach and a box of dye, same brand, in 'Flaming Red'.

"Hi, Michael."

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

Michael's eyebrows rose a fraction, if only because he wasn't used to being called by name by a face he didn't recognize, even if it was vaguely familiar. "Er, hi." He looked at the boxes. "Someone's going to have some fun tonight, I see." He rang up the total. "$12.12."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

"I'm going to be ginger, and it's going to be ACE!" He almost bounces, and then realises by the look on Michael's face that he has no idea who he is. Taking out his wallet, he hands him $15. "Oh. I'm the Doctor, by the way. You must not have heard, I guess."

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

Michael's eyebrows rose another fraction, then fell. "No, I hadn't heard. I'm guessing from your excitement that you're having a blast reliving your teenage years, though." Michael hands back the change and the bagged items. He neglects to mention that he wouldn't relive his acne-ridden, nerdy teens for all the tea in China. Then again, The Doctor looks a lot cooler than Michael ever could have at that age.

Early Evening

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

On his way from the school to House's apartment (and yes, this is out of the way for that trip), Geoff stops in at the Emporium.

"Hey there, Michael! I haven't talked to you in an age. How are you? And, while I'm asking questions, do you sell beer?"

Re: Early Evening

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"Beer. Left-hand wall, all the way to the back." Of course today it got busy. Of course today he was seeing people he hadn't seen in ages. Because he was contemplating leaving. He let the question of how he was dangle in the air for a few seconds before answering. "I'm...all right, I guess."

Re: Early Evening

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Nodding, Geoff gives Michael an understanding smile. "I'm not so much all right myself, but I plan on getting very drunk to make up for that."

He heads down the aisle and comes back with a twelve-pack of beer, which he places on the counter. "Anything you'd like to share? I'm not the best person in the world to be comforting right now, but I'd be happy to commiserate."

Re: Early Evening

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

"Drunk sounds like a blessed respite right now." Michael sighed. "Ben has a job offer in Belgium. And it's my decision whether we go or stay." He frowned. "Actually, he's going anyway at the end of the week. It's up to me whether I follow him, or decide I don't want to go and drag him back here -- away from the job I know he really wants, but we don't want to be separated and he won't stay there without me." Michael rang up the beer. "And that's it in a horrible, tiny little nutshell. $8.42 for the beer."