It's got a lot of standard corporate drone humor, but it's all set against the mindset of a man who's completely obsessed with The Old Ones, and knows that they've come and they've taken over American Big Business. Of course, all the tentacles and things go away when the main charater takes his medication. That was one of the most interesting aspects. I'm still not entirely sure what was "real." Maybe none of it was. I love shit like that. And there was even a passing reference to tentacle porn. /inside joke.

***

So, what's going on in the real world?

Well, I don't get a day off this week. And I'm still not making any money. Nick was confused when Becka asked for her birthday off. Friday was going to be her last day. She wanted to work this week. She just wanted Monday off. Everyone else understood this. But Nick made the schedule without any hours at all for Becka. Becka bitched, so instead of redoing the schedule, Nick just threw her hours in on top of the regular schedule. Everyone is in OvertimeLand. There's three waitresses on every goddamn night. It makes absolutely no sense. Tuesday, I waited on eight tables in six hours because Laverne didn't want to ask if she could just go.

Sue's sister is getting married this weekend, and she was more then happy to get the hell out early last night, but tonight it's Laverne again. She's not going to go anywhere. She'll make $40-50 during the day, and then stick around so she can get an extra $10 at night. Never mind that that means Becka and I will also only make $10. Feh.

(Vincent is really funny. Paul or someone will make a crack about the shitty waitress (me) he had the last time he was in Kristina's, and Vincent will say, "It was Laverne, wasn't it?" and then go off on a rant about the last time he had Laverne as a waitress. But I digress.)

One more Laverne moment. She asked to trade shifts with me this weekend. Saturday morning for Saturday night. She says she has plans. Technically, I could trade, but I really don't want to. Lessee. I could make $80 and get home in time to hang out with D. for a change, or I could make $20. I worked the night shift last weekend. But I don't have any definite plans. I could indeed trade with her. But I really don't want to. Maybe I'll tell her I'll pick up her night shift and work a double. That's total crazy talk though. Nick probably wouldn't let me do that. Feh.

***

Oh well. Starting next week, I'll get to work every single day, and make piles of money. Nick has said he doesn't want to hire anyone till he finds someone he knows will work out. After about a month, I'll probably start chloroforming waitresses everywhere in the state to get them in for an interview just so I can get a freakin night off, but for now, I can tell myself that it's really not that bad. There

will only be two night waitresses, so it might get a little insane, but never for more than an hour each night. And the money will be mind boggling. Money is good money is good money is good.

***

Money is good. Unless something funky happens, I should be able to put my entire paycheck into Ze Computer Fund this week. All the bills are paid.

(Ana's Conscience: So, it's not even really about the money, trading shifts with Laverne? For shame, Ana. For shame. You shut up. Personal Time is a totally valid excuse. I haven't been conscious the same room with my boyfriend for more than an hour for almost a week. What if she really does have plans, though? Yeah. If. You are soooo selfish. You go to hell and you die, Conscience. I'm working all the damn time, and I'm sick of being nice.)

Heh. Sorry about that. Where was I? Ah, yes. Money is good. There's $400 in savings. D. gets four more checks, and I get two checks and four weekends this month. The gubment is gonna give me $300. Worst case scenario, I'll have $900 cash by the end of the month. Call it $800, just in case. But I'll be getting that BestBuy credit card any day now, and apparently, D. is getting one too. We are so getting a computer. We rock.

I was talking with Vincent last night, and he was again pushing the idea of a build-your-own. Er, let him build it for me. Even if I throw $30-60 at him for helping, (Fluctuating market and all. Yeah, you know what I'm talking 'bout.) it's still a lot cheaper. But D. seems to have his heart set on the idea of plunking down a wad of cash (and credit) and walking out with the best computer on the block.

***

I've also been thinking about what happens after we get a computer. I've proven that we can put $200 in savings a month when we need to. But what do I need to do next? Should I start throwing money at the car and/or the brain? Maybe finally get those credit cards paid off? Or, should I assume that D. is going to want to move again sometime soon, and start saving money for that?

Vincent is talking about moving in a year. Paul wants to jumpstart his life. Bob could end up living with his parents again at any time. The main thing I love about living here could disappear at any time. I don't want it to be just me and D. in Cowtown forever. That would really suck.

There's also the small detail that I know this flood of money won't last forever. I make less money in the winter. And, someday, Nick will hire another waitress.

Also, I haven't bought any drugs in a month. I feel odd admitting it, but that's most definitely a factor.

See, D. applied for a full time job at JMS. He's been abstaining till he finds out if he needs to take a drug test. I hate smoking alone, and I certainly won't smoke in front of him if he can't. I keep trying to disperse the stuff among other people, but Vincent can have a bowl packed and lit at the speed of light. I hardly ever get a chance to share.

This isn't a problem, you understand. It's awesome that I've managed to make a half last me for the entire summer.

I've told myself I'm not going to buy any more till D. can share it. It's kind of an issue for me that he contributes so much towards my student loan and my car and my half of the rent. (Yeah, I keep him in food and clean clothes and cigarettes and a reasonably domesticated household and yeah, (admit it) sex. Maybe that balances out, and maybe it doesn't, but I don't want to get into that right now.) The point is, no way in hell am I going to use "our" money for something that's not only all about me, but is also purely for recreation.

So, I'm not buying drugs. I won't buy drugs until D. can have some. I'll throw money at the bills instead. But someday, D. will smoke again. And then we'll go through the stuff like water. And then, I won't be able to put extra money towards anything, because between us, we'll smoke it all.

If he gets the job, it's all good. He'll make enough for me to really work on the debts and still support a habit. But if he doesn't, we'll be right back where we were a few months ago.

***

My, I said a lot today. I'm going to go away now.

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