During last period, my English teacher announced that we would begin to work on "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard. She said, "It's an absurdist tragicomedy."

(Which pretty much sums up the teenaged experience, so I can understand why she assigned it)

As she handed the paperbacks out, she added, "The nice thing about this story is that it's one in which the bit players take the lead."

At this point there were quite a few audible groans in the room. Probably because while it's a nice idea that the supporting players get a chance to headline, that never really happens in high school... There are always a few shining stars who capture all of the accolades and a few devastating black holes who suck up all of the concern. And everyone else in between those extremes just kind of floats around in the dark, without getting a passing glance through the telescope's lens.

Anyway, we started to read the play together in class and I think I'm going to like it because it seems pretty funny.

So that was a good way to end the school day before heading off to my training at Variety Video. Maybe it was my teacher's words working on my subconscious, but I started to think that even though I'm only a high-schooler with a minimum wage, part-time job, this could possibly be the start of exciting things for me. I walked to the store with a sense of hopefulness.

Jason wasn't there when I arrived, but Mr. Valvano the owner was. He's a sweet older man, probably about the same age as my grandfather.

He said, "Why hello Melissa! So you're the girl my nephew hired." He waved me behind the counter.

"Hey Mr. V! I guess so. Jason never mentioned you were his uncle." I put my backpack down on one of the stools."

He smiled. "Well I'm his great-uncle actually. Gladys and I never had any kids of our own so we've always been close with our nieces and nephews, especially Jason. He's really more like our grandson. When he accepted a spot at the University in town and moved closer, we were thrilled. And now with Mrs. V being so sick, he's been such a help here."

He opened the door behind the counter, which led to a small office, and had hooks on the back. Two jackets already hung on them and one was way too small to fit Mr. V's portly frame. I surmised that Jason must be around somewhere.

Maybe he was working in the Adult Films section? Or maybe he forgot his jacket?

Mr. V held his hand out for my coat. I nodded as I took it off and gave it to him. "How is Mrs. V doing?"

He frowned. "So far she still only has the use of her left side. She's so frustrated and I keep telling her, 'Glady-Gal, you can't expect to be back to one hundred percent six months after a major stroke!' The therapists at the nursing home have her working hard. But nobody can guarantee how much more progress she will make."

Words failed me in that moment. Normally I can make polite conversation with adults, but I knew that any platitude I could come up with wouldn't make Mr. V feel any better. So I just nodded my head again and said, "Tell her I said hi."

I was literally saved from the uncomfortable moment by the bells on the door. Jason was back with a bag of takeout. He was shivering and Mr. V scolded him, "I told you to wear your coat. We don't need you getting sick on me too! What would I do without you?"

Jason's cheeks were red and I couldn't tell if it was from the sudden change in temperature or from embarrassment. "Don't worry about me Uncle Al. I'm not going anywhere."

Mr. V put on his coat while Jason took his own food out of the bag before handing it to his uncle. "Tell Aunt G that I'll come by for a visit tomorrow."

"Sure thing kiddo." He patted Jason on the cheek as he said, "Good choice on the new hire." They exchanged a look and I swear the red blooms on Jason's cheeks grew.

Then Mr. V winked at me as he turned toward the door. "This store hasn't had a smart young lady behind the counter since my Mrs. got sick. We might start getting some more customers in here if they have something prettier to look at behind the counter other than me and Jay."

Then I was the one blushing.

After his uncle left, Jason was all business as he trained me. It didn't take long for us to get through it all. I mean, it's not like it is rocket science. The computer system used to check the videos in and out is straightforward. Even processing payments with the credit card machine is simple.

Jason finished off the presentation by addressing the elephant in the room. He cleared his throat and gestured toward the curtained doorway. "So the back room is set up in pretty much the same way as the rest of the store."

My heart began to pound in my chest at just the mention of the illicit material. But I wanted to prove that I could handle this part of the job so I walked toward the drape. Jason made no effort to move. He seemed rooted to where he stood behind the counter.

With my pulse in my throat, I reached my hand up to touch the heavy black velvet. It was soft and felt nice against my clammy hand. Before I could push it aside, Jason cleared his throat, halting me from my task. I turned my eyes back to him and saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

He continued, "The adult titles have the same generic Variety Video cover as every other tape does. The newer titles are facing out on the shelves, with the empty more um... colorful cardboard sleeves in front of them. The older titles are lined up, alphabetically, front to back with no promotional sleeves on the outside. The papers are in the inside in case they want more details about the tape."

I wasn't sure why he was describing the room to me, when I could just as easily walk behind the fabric and see it for myself. But I froze as my eyes locked on Jason's as he talked. My stomach started doing somersaults as the idea of how just one piece of cloth separated me from so much more.

Then my mind leapt to the thought that if Jason just took off his thermal shirt right now, I could see his bare chest. I wanted to stop touching the velvet and feel the little waffle grids against my palm instead. My cheeks burned and I looked at my feet.

Seeing my awkwardness Jason said, "You don't have to ever go in there if you aren't comfortable. I can restock those videos."

Since I would prefer that he not know the truth, I let go of the curtain and walked back to the counter.

He pushed his fingers through his hair. "Well that about covers it. Now we just wait for customers."

That was at 4:30pm. By 9pm we had only had a handful of people. Obviously this job wasn't going to provide me with something interesting to write about if every night was like this.

"Where is everyone?" I whined. Jason looked up from the book he was sketching in. I continued with an awkward chuckle, "I mean... my friend Tara and I can't be the only people to rent videos on Friday nights."

He frowned. "That new chain store off the highway took away a ton of Uncle Al's business. Ten years of hard work and customer service forgotten thanks to the lure of that fluorescent monstrosity. I suppose the only good thing about it, is that work doesn't prevent me from getting my course assignments done."

As I put my own (now completed) homework back into my bag, I asked, "If it's so dead, then why did you need to hire somebody else? It can't be like your Uncle said and you're trying to lure customers in with my pretty face." I playfully batted my eyes at him.

Jason laughed and stretched his arms over his head. I saw an enticing sliver of his stomach as his shirt rose above his belt. "The sad truth is, if I need to run out to grab food, or use the facilities, then I need a second person here."

"Can't you just put a 'Be Back In 5 Minutes' sign up?" I did my own back stretch, which just so happened to push my chest forward a little bit.

Jason raised his eyebrows at me. "I'm afraid that if a customer comes here and sees that, it will give them another reason to abandon ship and go to the competitor. They seem to be open 24/7."

I nodded. "Good point. Have you tried anything to bring customers back?"

He turned his notebook around and slid it across the counter to me. "Actually I've been working on some ideas. I'm thinking about majoring in advertising and marketing. So I've convinced Uncle Al to order individual microwave popcorn packets in bulk so we can do a promotion where folks get a packet for free with every rental."

I looked over the advertisement that he had been working on. "That's really good. Everyone loves popcorn."

Smirking I said, "Plus you have something else that people love and that the other guys don't have." I jerked my head toward the velvet curtain.

Jason snorted. "Popcorn and porn... let's hope it's enough or it might be the end of the road for Variety Video."

That sense of optimism that I began my new job with was pretty much crushed by the time I was done with my shift.