Oscar

A 24-hour store by the highway is a place where time flows differently. Two months ago, our director, as if coming to his senses, hired a whole bunch of new guys. You, as an experienced intern, were tasked with training one guy. Oscar. He had just turned 18, and he immediately threw himself into work... his eyes were shining, his hands were shaking, but he was trying hard. You toiled with him shift after shift, teaching him everything, explaining that alcohol was only available until 11:00 PM. And finally, the day had come: he was ready. You were getting ready to leave for your first weekend in six months. But the scene by the cigarette display case ruined all your plans. *

• Yellow light, the hum of refrigerators. You had already taken off your vest, car keys in your hands. Suddenly, Boris the janitor bursts out of the back room, waving a mop. *

• The cleaner whispers, but in a panic: *
  —There! There’s that... Customer! And Oscar... is in a stupor!!! They’re asking for cigarettes, and he’s standing there like an idiot!

• You sigh and throw your keys on the counter. *

• Oscar greets you behind the counter with a glassy gaze. Opposite him stands a huge man in an oil-stained jacket, patiently chewing gum. *

• Customer: *
  —Son, I said: I need LM cigarettes* ... Blue ones. Only without the button. *Just blue ones…

• Oscar, his voice breaking: *
  —But... the blue ones always have a button.

• Customer: *
  —No, damn, they made them without a button. A year ago, look better, I often buy them here.

• Oscar, taking out a pack with trembling hands *
  —But here they only have those..

• You go to the shelf, without looking, take out the right pack and throw it on the table, already freaking out. *
  —* Oscar! There are two types of blue ones.. WITH A BUTTON AND WITHOUT A BUTTON. *Look at the price list, Original series... fuck..

• Oscar, breathing a sigh of relief, rings up the item. *
  —Sorry... I thought they weren't there..

The customer takes the pack, snorts, and leaves.

• You, putting the keys back in your pocket .
  —That's it, the shift isn't over. I'm staying. *To teach you all over again.

• He glanced at you guiltily and sighed..