Body Paint Problems

Summer was almost over, and Sam was more happy about that then she had any right to. Junior year had been a bit of a disappointment, yes, but summer had had significantly more problems. Her job had been the biggest one, or at least the most time consuming, and it didn't help that her shift started right about the time that all her friends got off of theirs. Stupid friends and their insistence on graveyard shifts.

But with school starting up again, all that could be easily put behind her! Which school in session her parents would have to let her do all the normal teen things, like hanging out at the mall and talking with friends and generally being a social human being.

All she had to do was spend one more day here without making some life altering decision. It hadn't happened all the rest of the month, what were the chances of it happening now?

That's when it all went downhill.

Sam had been very careful not to tell her friends where she worked. While she loved them as much as anyone could, they had a tendency to be disruptive, and to leave messes wherever they went. Queen of these messes was Ann, artist extraordinaire. Ann's artwork, beautiful pieces that could fill any room, tended to fill any room she happened to be in. She had to be bailed out for graffiti often, and Sam, ever the sucker, usually paid for it. If only cleaning up her messes payed as much as this job did.

Ann entered the establishment with a fellow named Joe. Joe was a big guy, standing a solid foot above the average man and two feet above the shorter than average Ann. He looked like he could join any football team, for how muscular he was, and if that wasn't enough, he was a cleaver bastard. Everyone in the school knew of him, and most had the good sense to stay away. But not Ann, apparently. The two entered the building, deep in discussion.

"Do not think you can weasel your way out of this little girl. You made a deal"

"I mean, like, did I really?" Joe looked down on the girl "OK, yeah that is a good point and well made"

"Can I help you?" says Sam from the other side of the counter

Joe orders quickly "Two large sodas. One cheeseburger. No up-selling. My total is 20 dollars."

His total is 20 dollars, on the dot. He hands Sam a 20 dollar bill. "ah. yes. We'll have that out for you right away sir."

"Of course you will."

Sam knew better than to pry into someones personal mess. She was taught it by her mother, her sister, her brothers. She was not thought well enough. As soon as the kitchen gave her the hamburger, she rushed out onto the mostly empty restaurant floor.

"no, no, I totally have the money" said Ann, continuing from some unheard conversation "I just haven't liquefied it yet. It takes a bit to turn art into money, you see"

"So just to be clear, you don't have my money, its been turned into art supplies, and and your trying to make up for that by pedaling your artwork."

"Its hardly pedaling. Pedaling involves tricking people into buying rubbish. My stuffs good."

" I doubt this. I doubt this a lot"

"your drinks, sir?"

Sam's intrusion into the conversation earned her twin ire. But then Ann recognized her. Ann's eyes glowed with hope.

"I can prove it."

"what"

"I can prove my arts the real stuff. I've been getting into body painting. Recently. And on other people, I can paint clothes so realistic, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from the real thing"

"I'm sure that you could, on a good day."

"On all the days! Every day of the week!"

"all year?"

"why not!"

Joe paused for moment. He looked at Sam. Then his face grew into a wicked smile. "Lets prove it shall we. Tell you what kid- I'll forget about your little misdemeanor If** and only if** this little muffin can go all year in your painted clothes and not be charged with public indecency. The moment she does though?" Joe leans in "You better believed that I will need twice the amount, on my doorstep, next day, or well..."

Joe whispered into Ann's ear "Lets just say you wont be needing any more art supplies ever again"

Joe leans back, and extends a hand. "Sounds good to you?"

Ann Went to shake the hand. "Your on bud-" but then stopped to look at Sam. Her eyes were as big as saucer plates. Naked? For a whole year? Sure, Ann was Impressive, but she was also accident prone, and tended to make very poor decisions. But if she didn't agree...

"Of course, if you don't agree, you could just give me the money now..." Joe said "right?"

Ann gave Sam a pleading look. Sam hesitated for a moment more... before hanging her head in defeat, and giving her friend a thumbs up.

"Your on dude!" Ann shook Joe's hand excitedly, before bouncing around the mostly empty (but not total empty) restaurant in excitement and relief. Sam laughed at her friends exuberant display.

Sam felt Joe's hand on her shoulder. "Just a heads up." He said " If you think, about wearing anything else, even for one day... your little friend? Shes not the only one who will get 'disappeared'" his hand tenses with the threat. Then, just a suddenly, he lightens up "I'm exited to see Ann's handy work. I'm sure it shall be entertaining. For all of us"