Someone New

Petros Rakos had a bad first day in the big city. He was determined to make today a better day. He awoke, showered, dressed, and had a simple breakfast. His new bicycle was delivered this morning, and he was not going to have to walk or rely on public transportation. But deep down inside, he remembered the curses that he'd doled out the previous day. A dark part of him relished the punishments he'd dispensed the previous day. And that part of him was creeping closer to the surface.

He rode his bike without incident to his book store on the fringes of Hollywood. He unlocked the door, oblivious to the tall woman standing outside of his shop. She followed him into the store and started berating him.

"I have been waiting for ten whole minutes for this store to open. I have plenty of appointments today and an audition for a new television show. I would appreciate it if you could open on time."

Rakos looked at his watch and saw that it was still not yet time to open officially.

"Ma'am. I apologize for any inconvenience, but I opened my shop on time today. Please, I can offer a ten percent discount on any purchases."

"That's no way to conduct business. Do you even know who I am?"

"No ma'am."

Mandy Moore continued to verbally dress Petros down. He looked at the tall, thin actress and singer, just barely in her forties. She had a relatively slight build, and a gorgeous face. She wore minimal makeup, just enough to accentuate her natural beauty. He believed he recognized her from a music video that his daughter had once watched.

"Ma'am. If I may."

"You may not."

"And you are a washed up cougar who will give her body to any man if she thought it could preserve her status."