Her friend, Mallory

As the phone continued playing it's jaunty ringtone, Candy saw the smiling face of her friend, Mallory filling the screen. She quickly accepted the call, answering, "Hey, Mal! What're you doing calling so early? I thought you were working today!"

"Candy! Thank god! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get a hold of you," her friend responded, sounding exasperated. "I am at work and it's terrible! The whole place is falling apart! You've got to help me!"

In shock, Candy dropped her fork on the counter and almost dropped the phone as well. "It's falling apart?! Was there an earthquake or something? Get out of there, Mallory!"

"No, Candy," Mallory quickly said, to calm her friend. They'd been friends since high school and Mal was very familiar with Candy's tendency to be a bit of an airhead. "Not literally falling apart! It just.. Well, the new Mexican-slash-sushi place that opened up in the food court? Pink Fish Tacos? Yesterday, they were handing out free samples, to drum up business, and today, I've got half the mall staff calling in sick! They think it might be food-poisoning, from the fish tacos!"

"You didn't eat any, did you?" Candy nibbled nervously on her plump lower lip, worried for her friend.

"No. Lucky for me, I'm on that juice cleanse this week! But I do need a favor from you! Could you come and fill in for some of the employees who called in sick?"

The blonde glanced down at her partially open robe, and nodded as she answered, "Sure... I suppose I could help you out. I mean, I'll have to get dressed and everything, but I can definitely help if you need me! What exactly did you need to do help out with?"