Managing

Baxter: Thanks, Ali. Pretty exciting day today, yea.

Baxter: I guess V should be the one to speak on that matter, so we'll see what she says.

Ali: I can imagine that! So many new things for you two to get accustomed to as well, right?

Violet: Thank you Ali! We're so excited that they're finally here!

Violet: Well when are you free? I think in another couple of days we should have everything under control? We're still trying to get use to our new life as parents!

Ali: My days are pretty relaxed, so, that shouldn't be an issue. Just let me know when you'd like me to come over and I'll make it happen.

Ali: CONGRATULATIONS YOU GUYS!!!

Ali: This must be such a wonderful moment to the two of you, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Marian sighed in defeat, “Damn. I guess I won’t be able to record you then. And here I was hoping you’d become a YouTube star. I really hate that roommate of yours. They should have recorded it for me. They missed out on a great opportunity. I think they should walk around with their camera ready just in case something like that happens again,” She joked. “Hey! That’s not a bad parenting thing! That’s just something that happens. Like I’m pretty sure that if I had a child I would probably swear like a sailor and yet would tell them not to curse,” Marian admitted with a laugh. “There’s just one thing that I’m glad of when it comes to these clowns. At least they’re just dressing as clowns and scaring people. At least they’re not out killing people instead. Now that would be like ten times worse,” She pointed out. “Your own personal happiness is one of the most important things in life. If a person isn’t happy then that’s very sad in my opinion. Peer pressure is stupid. I don’t understand why people feel the need to pressure someone into doing something. They must have a big void in their life if they’re doing that,” Marian explained with a shrug. “Honestly I don’t ever think I could live with someone else ever again. Maybe it’s just because I lived with a bunch of nuns but I like my privacy. Have you thought about asking someone you work with or maybe putting up an ad?”

“Well, I, for one, am glad I didn’t end up having those fifteen minutes of fame or became the next youtube hit. Things are already hard enough without people wanting to know my every move or wondering what I’ll be doing next.” Ali shook her head. There were moments of her life that should just remain buried after all, and shedding a light in them would be like opening up the Pandora box of pain, insecurities and suffering. It was only fair that she wanted to keep that at bay. “I feel like that already happens. I’ve seen people who are more concerned with recording something potentially funny then helping out when others need it. I’ve seen an elderly lady fall down the sidewalk once. I was relatively far away, but the people around her were more concerned with depicting her pain then help her gather her scattered groceries and get up. I was pissed, so, when I got there I shoved everyone away. The lady had hurt her wrists trying to break the fall, and, yet, nobody helped her out. I’m not saying that I don’t find humor in videos of people trying to perform the most absurd stunts… I do. But I think it stops being funny when you see there’s someone in pain and that there’s something you can do about it.” Alena spoke her mind on the matter. Just one of the things she hated about the current society. “I find it somewhat funny when parents replace curses for words like freaking or darn in order to try and set an example. Gotta admire their effort, even though it sounds ridiculous!” She laughed at it slightly. “I have this strong feeling that if I ever heard of killers dressed as clowns I would never step foot out of my house again!” The mere idea of it made her eyes widen in panic. “I feel like some people easily forget about pursuing their happiness. Take my sister for example, she’s afraid to chase after her dreams for she doesn’t think she’s good enough…” She was always trying to convince her to go after what she wanted, though it wasn’t an easy task. “From experience I know that living with someone from work doesn’t work out. It seems like we can never separate what should be talked at work and what should be discussed at home and… If you have problems, they follow you everywhere! And ad is somewhat easier, but you need time to conduct the interviews…”

Daniel looked up at the voice and gave a small nervous chuckle. “Hi…yeah. I was just looking for the nearest convenience store or grocery store?” He noticed her bracing herself a little and knew he had a thick sweater and his light jacket on. But he waited a bit since he didn’t want to seem like a complete creep. “Mind pointing me in the right direction?”

“There’s one that is somewhat close from here, and you can walk with me if you’d like. That way I can point out the direction you’ll need to go next once we get to that point.” Ali offered. “Unless you’re in a hurry.” She added on an after thought. She had just finished a gruesome shift at the nightclub, the last think she wanted to do was rush anywhere. Her legs felt heavy, the mere fact she was walking was already a cause for celebration. She wasn’t going to change her pace over something like it.

“I’ve heard of people doing that. I just never met anyone who that actually happened to. Would you mind doing it again so I could record it and put it on YouTube? I’m sure it would be a big hit! You could become a YouTube star!” Marian joked. “Yeah. Some parents don’t make sense to me. If they tell their children stories of things like the boogeyman then they shouldn’t get mad if a child is afraid of monsters. It’s their fault for telling them the story in the first place.” She nodded in understanding, “I think most people were already afraid of clowns before those things started happening. This just intensified their fears. The people who were doing that were psychopaths in my opinion and should be sent to a mental hospital for help,” She explained with a shrug. “I hate when people ask what gender I like more or what gender I see myself settling down with. As long as they treat me well and I’m happy I can see myself with either.” Laughing, she grinned at the woman. “That’s how it tends to go. I don’t think any intelligent man would be willing to be set up with anyone. They’re too smart for that.” Marian grinned at what she said, following her to the door, “Well then I feel very special right now.”

Ali laughed at the proposition. “I’m sure that if my roommate at the time had seen it coming, I would probably be famous worldwide by now. Pretty sure it would have even aired on the television in some places...” She stated. “But, if it’s up to me, it won’t happen again. Unfortunately, it’s not one of those things that depend only on my will... Or, in this case, the lack thereof... So, it might end up happening. Who knows?” She said with a shrug of her shoulders. “It really is ludicrous. I think it’s just one of those really bad parenting things. Like when they tell their children not to curse, but they won’t stop doing it themselves.” Alena shook her head. “People who do things like that really can’t be normal. There has to be some kind of sadistic pleasure in watching others suffer that turns them on or something like that. What I know is that it creeps me out!” She shuddered at the mere thought of it. “I agree with you there. I’m not gonna be bound by those conventions. There are much more important things at stake here, and I value my happiness over anything.” She was adamant about that statement. “That happens most of the times, but don’t underestimate the power of desperation... Or, well, peer pressure, you know?” She shrugged. “Yeah... Ever since my last roommate moved out it’s just been me... I should really start looking for a new one, but time hasn’t been on my side...” Ali mentioned as she led the way to her place.

“You should try using satin or silk sheets. They really help during the hot weather. They’re light and cool for the body. Also sleeping in the nude helps during the summer heat too,” Marian suggested. “I grew up in a Catholic orphanage. The nuns always told us that the devil liked the nighttime. It’s when he liked to tempt people. Now I know it was just their way to get us to go to bed but it still makes me afraid of the dark. I think things like Stephen King’s It and John Wayne Gacy really make clowns scary. Then we had those idiots running around at night dressed as clowns a couple months ago. I still don’t understand why they were doing that,” She shrugged. “I’ve had bad relationships with both men and women. I’m not one to discriminate because genitalia,” She explained. “The children’s table? That’s awful. At least they didn’t try to set you up with anyone. That’s always awkward,” She laughed. “It’s probably the same person who invited high heels. They just liked to torture women.” Marian grinned, “Let’s go then.”

“I had this beautiful navy colored satin sheet once, then, one night I was wearing this satin baby doll as well, I sat on the edge of the bed and slid right off.” Ali laughed. It was one of the bizarre things that had happened to her over the years and all she could really do was laugh. “I know what you mean...” She nodded. “Sometimes parents create these stories like the boogeyman or creatures that lurk in the dark and then they get their panties up in a bunch when kids believe there are monsters in their room. I mean, don’t they see this is their fault?!” Alena wondered. “It was, indeed, terrifying, but I can’t say it was that that made me scared of clowns. I was already scared of them when I watched that movie... But, you’re right. I don’t know what the goal of those people was, though I’m certain that I would have died if I crossed one!” She mentioned with a few nods. “Oh, nice! I like things about men and women as well, and I don’t believe affection is limited to a gender.” Ali shoo her head. “Been there and had that done to me before. I was more annoyed at the situation because the guy had the depth of a pea... And not a very large one...” Ali pointed out, making a face. She then made the way over to the door. “I haven’t had anyone come over in the longest time...”

“I definitely agree with you there. Except during summer when temperatures plummet. I hate waking up all sweaty… Not to mention that it’s really hard to fall asleep when it’s too hot.” Ali shook her head. “Afraid of the dark? Really? Is there any particular reason? For me it’s clowns. I don’t know who ever thought they were funny. They’re creepy!” She argued. “Since you’ve made the distinction… What if it’s not for work?” Alena was a bit curious. “Saying I’m bad at them would be such an understatement…” Ali trailed off, shaking her head from side to side. “I know what you’re saying though… The worst wedding I’ve been to they’ve had me sit with the children!” She rolled her eyes at the memory. “Exactly what I’m talking about! As for the mind behind it… I have no idea, but I would say it’s pretty clear it’s someone who’s never had to wear them. It seems like the only logical explanation for it.” She commented. "Great, let’s go!” Ali said as she gathered her things.

“Oh, god, yes!” Ali could wholeheartedly agree with what Marian was saying. “People generally think I’m weird when I tell them that the best hours of sleep I have are in the afternoon. It’s the way my body works, all I can really do is try to be asleep when it happens.” Alena shrugged. “Okay, so… Does that limit to men or do you adopt the same kind of policy with women?” She found herself questioning mostly out of curiosity. “Don’t even get me started on the whole relationship thing… Mine were such epic fails I cringe at the mere memory.” The brunette shuddered. There was more about those stories than she wanted to think about. “Don’t worry; they’ll look even nicer when I’m more comfortable… You know, at home?” She winked. “And, I’m definitely serious about it. So, you in?”

“True. I know that my work requires me to have an odd sleeping pattern, but I can still sleep, so, it’s definitely not the same kind of thing.” Ali talked about the sort of life she was used to living. “I wouldn’t even say it’s about having the bed for myself… It’s more like… I don’t want the hassle of thinking of whether the person being there means anything, so, if they leave, it’s one less thing for me to worry about.” There was a certain cheerfulness to Alena’s tone as she motioned her shoulders up and down. “I can empathize with what you’re saying. Plus, it’s nice to be with someone who isn’t staring at my chest all the time! So, shall we?”

“I can understand that sometimes work might keep you up, since there might be a situation that leaves us wired, and I think that’s okay, as long as it’s the exception and not the rule.” Ali advocated. “Trust me, I know! That’s how you know it’s bad. I mean, normally when I share my bed with someone, the general thought in my head is: ‘Please don’t be hee when I wake up’ so, it’s atypical behavior foer me.” Alena mentioned. “As for your offer... As generous as it is, I’m afraid I’ll pass... I might be willing to make an exception if you happen  to be one of the said ‘girls’.”

“Aww. Well I’m glad to hear that it’s not entirely from work. I’d be very concerned if it was just from work.” Marian probably would have suggested that the woman take a few days off from work if it was. No one should be this tired because of their job. “No coffee then. I don’t have anything on me that would help with those poor mornings of sleep but may I suggest maybe a sleeping pill? I know that most pharmacies carry them. At this point it might be the best thing for you.”

“I’m a firm believer that absolutely no one should stick to a job that wrecks them quite like this...” Ali shook her head. “I understand that we need money to live, but no amount of money is worth losing your health for.” She explained. And Alena heard what Marian had to suggest and nodded. “Yeah, I know... But know what is it that I really, really, really wanted right now?” Ali said rhetorically. “Some cuddling. You know, having someone stroke my hair until I fall asleep.” She mused, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Really, that bad?” Violet exclaimed with a laugh though she understood. Ecrin was a small town so even the absence of a few people made it seem empty from time to time, let alone during the holidays when people disappeared for a period of time. “But come on– I’m sure you did something interesting. At the very least stuffed yourself with plenty of good food and ate yourself into a food coma?” She joked with her friend.

“It seriously was. I’m already thinking wether for this coming year I should keep the staff for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, or if it would be more beneficial to give them those days off...” Ali was pondering on the matter. “Believe me, I was probably closer to drinking myself into one...” She announced, moving her shoulders up and down in a shrug. “But, tell me all about your trip! What was it like? What did you do?”

“I might have the right mindset, but I don’t think I’m ready for the first step,” Mia chuckled. “I’m not ready to quit my job yet and I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to do that because I enjoy what I do. Besides, the more I postpone going for it, less easy it would be for me to set up a whole business and eventually I’ll be too old and tired to start over from the bottom to the top, so let’s just admit that’s a dream that will never come true.”

“I would say that we rarely ever are. When we know what’s at stake, the risks and everything that weights upon us, we’re often taken aback.” Ali said. “Especially since you don’t have just you to think about. When you’re alone, it’s easier for you to take a chance. It’s easier for you to pick yourself up when you don’t have anyone else to worry about...” Alena reasoned. Being alone was the only reason why she felt comfortable taking the leap and going wherever life could lead her. “I think as long as you’re comfortable with what you’re doing, giving up on something else could be okay...” Ali shrugged.