Offer Kim something in exchange for gas

Fighting off the growing panic and desperation in you, you quickly change tactics.

“Sorry, Dude,” you say, with a friendly smile. “I’ve been driving all night, and I’m really tired. I stopped to get some gas and caffeine, but I guess I’m sort of zoning, huh?”

Kim relaxes slightly, but keeps his hand under the counter. “Yeah, no problem. I’ve been working for 8 hours and I’m pretty wiped, too. So, are you gonna buy anything?”

“Sure. You probably want to get out of here, huh? Probably you have a hot date waiting for you as soon as you get off?”

You grab a couple of candy bars and a big bottle of Mountain Dew. Kim smiles and says, “I wish. It’s just back to Mom and Dad’s basement for me. A few hours of sleep, and it’s right back here to do it all over again.”

You bring your items to the counter and tell Kim you’d also like to put $30 of gas in the tank. As he rings up your purchase, you make a show of checking him out — a fact not lost on him.

As Kim tells you the total price, you reach to your back pocket and make a show of confusion and panic as you pat each of your pockets repeatedly. “Oh, fuck! I left my wallet back at school. I am so screwed! I’m running on fumes.”

Kim watches you silently as you go through the motions again of checking your pockets. You look at him and say, “Dude, I am so embarrassed! This has never happened before. Can I just get some gas and then come back tomorrow and pay for it?”

“I’m sorry,” Kim answers. “I’m not allowed to do that. I have to close out the cash register when I close, and if it doesn’t balance, there will be hell to pay.”

“Even for just a few hours? I could be back here when you open in the morning.”

“No, I really can’t. Everything is electronic. If I don’t close out with the right amount, my boss will know it, and he’ll have my ass.”

You look at him thoughtfully, smile slyly, and say, “Can’t really blame him — it’s such a cute ass.”

Kim looks briefly shocked, but then, turning bright red, smiles shyly and looks away. “I wondered if you were checking me out,” he said.

“Why do you think I was getting tongue-tied earlier?” you answer. “I was glad I read the signals right from you; I’d hate to make a pass at you, and it turns out you were just checking me out to see if I was a shoplifter or something.”

Kim laughs and removes his hand from under the counter.

“Look,” you say, “this is awkward as fuck, because I planned on paying for this stuff and then asking you if you wanted to hang out with me once you finish closing. It’s been a long day for both of us, and I thought we could chill before I hit the road and you crash for the night. Now it’s really weird, since I have no money and it’s gonna sound like some lame pick up line, but —“

Kim cuts you off. “Don’t stress. I’ve been there before with the whole wallet thing. Go ahead and fill up and let me close up the store; I’ll pay for it myself, and you can pay me back next time you are in town — assuming you want to come back after tonight.”

“Dude, you are amazing. I’ll so definitely pay you back!”

“And it will just take me a few minutes to close up shop. I walked here from home, and you can give me a ride back if you’d like,” he says with a sly smile.

“Your wish is my command, good sir! Your carriage awaits you!” You make a formal bow as Kim laughs, and you grab the candy and soda and head out the door to fill the gas tank.