The Comic Store

The front door creaks as I open it. Shy and insecure because of this provocative outfit, I walk down the stairs. I open the heavy wooden door and am greeted directly in front of it. Next to me stands a man with purple hair, scrutinizing me: "Who are you?"

I look shyly at the floor. His eyes burn into me. Slowly, my gaze wanders upwards. The man is tall, thin, but somehow athletic. He's wearing a band t-shirt and black cargo pants with a studded belt. My mouth opens: "Hey, I'm Jette and I've been living in one of the apartments upstairs since yesterday," I say, offering him my small hand with its slender fingers.

"I'm Brad, and this is my store," he says, pointing over to the comic store. "You're not from Australia, I can tell by your accent. Where are you from?" he asks.

"I'm from Northern Germany and I'm starting my work and travel year," I reply. Brad is nice, and we talk about Australia, Germany, and our hobbies. Then he asks me: "Jette, are you living in Jez's apartment?" I'm a little confused: "I don't know who lived there before me. Definitely a woman. Jack, my landlord, says she was in her late 20s. She left everything here. My suitcase got lost on the flight, and now I'm even wearing her clothes." Brad examines me and grins. I immediately turn red because I certainly didn't want to tell a stranger that I'm wearing a strange woman's clothes. Brad's eyes wander over my whole body. It's kind of humiliating, but nevertheless, without me noticing, my nipples slowly harden and almost poke through the thin top.

"Then that's definitely Jez's apartment. That fits the style. You're really lucky, the clothes seem to fit you. Suits you. It looks really good," he flatters me. "Well, yes, it really fits like a glove, but it's not my style at all," I say. I talk about my style, my hobbies, and my sporty nature. Brad smiles and listens to me patiently. Then he asks: "Jez is an E-Girl and cosplayer. Did she really leave everything behind? Even her costumes? She's a star in the scene. Moved to Dubai." I just nod. Brad thinks for a moment and then asks almost shyly: "So, you're looking for a job?" I tell him that I'm converting my van for the next 2 weeks and therefore not really looking, but that I'll need a job afterward. Brad is persistent: "How about a job in the evenings?"

Of course, I could use the money. And maybe I don't have to work right away, but can travel a bit once the van is finished. I'm already interested and ask: "What kind of job? Selling comics? I have no idea about that." Brad hesitates a bit: "Well, selling too, but it would be much cooler if you could support me at my events." Somehow, I don't really understand him: "Support how?" I press. "Okay, you know I organize themed evenings here. My customers come by and it's about a specific book, a specific comic, a genre, or something like that. The evenings are going quite well, but it could be better. My idea was for Jez to do a cosplay for the evenings, but well, like I said, she's a star in the scene and I just couldn't afford it. Well, and that's where you come in. You said she left the outfits behind and they fit you, so maybe you could do a cosplay on the evenings. I'll pay 40 dollars per hour and you'll definitely get tips."

I need a moment to collect myself. Cosplay? Me? That doesn't fit at all. On the other hand, 40 dollars is really a lot of money. "How do you imagine that? I don't know the comics, I have 0 knowledge of them," I point out. Brad doesn't hesitate for long: "Well, I'll help you. I'm a fan of Jez. I know some of her outfits. Then I can describe it to you. I'd also give you the corresponding comic beforehand so you can read up on it briefly. We'd start at 9:00 PM, you wait in the storage room and then join in. The customers will be surprised, and you serve some drinks and are available for photos. How does that sound?" he asks. 40 dollars to change clothes, serve drinks, and take pictures? Nobody knows me here anyway, so why not? "Okay, I'm in," I agree. Brad grins from ear to ear: "Alright, come with me. I have an idea for a theme. I'll give you a comic for it and we'll see each other tonight."

Now he's taken me by surprise: "Tonight?" I ask. He nods enthusiastically: "Yes, I have an event here tonight anyway. That fits really well! We'll meet at 7:00 PM and then I can help you prepare and inform you a little about your role." I don't have any plans for tonight anyway, but somehow it's all so fast and new. Whatever. 40 dollars per hour is too good to turn down. "Brad, how about we meet at 6:30 PM and I'll show you the different outfits in the apartment? Then you'll know which themes are possible." Brad just smiles: "Great idea, then I can create a theme calendar for the next 2 weeks. Brad leads me through the store, presses three comics into my hand, and we say goodbye.