Lockdown! 23

Chapter 23

With the whole retail industry still recovering from the pandemic, customers seemed to be in limited supply, and it was really taking its toll on Tim.

Only a few weeks into his new job at the new boutique, he already wanted to quit. Cursed with an active mind, the minimalist design of the shop floor and the seemingly perpetual silence around him offered no stimulus. For Tim, it was like torture. Worse even than the pain he felt, hobbling home after a long, boring day of standing with his feet crammed into a pair of tall block-heeled booties that were two sizes too small for his feet.

Having just returned from a quick lap around the room, where he’d straightened a few coat hangers and refolded a top or two, the feminized man stopped in front of a mirror to check his makeup.

Greeted by the sight of thick spider-leg-like lashes coated in mascara, fanning out from beneath his perfectly blended eye shadow, Tim let out a sigh of disappointed. Seeing every hair on his shiny auburn head looking immaculate was not what he wanted to see. He really wanted to take a break, but with, not much as a smudge to the sticky pink gloss, coating his bloated lips, he now had no excuse.

Turning his attention to his outfit, Tim scanned past the thin sheer blouse wrapped around his slim torso to the tiny scrap of black leather hugging his hips and upper legs. Slipping his long pink nails inside the waistband, he took a moment to straighten the restrictive skirt, marvelling at how feminine his legs looked encased inside his patterned tights.

Exhaling heavily through his nose, Tim found it funny to think, that not so long ago, the feeling of elasticated nylon gently compressing his smooth hairless legs would have been a completely alien experience. But then again, almost everything he was wearing would have felt odd to him back then. A lot had changed, and in his mind, it wasn’t for the better.

Sick of looking at the miserable-looking girly figure in the mirror, dressed head to toe in clothes designed to promote the brand, he regrettably worked for, Tim turned on his painful blocky heels and trotted off across the room. Choosing a spot in front of the cashier’s desk, he stood to attention, just like he’d been taught, hoping the two hours until his lunch break would pass quickly.

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The chiming sound of the little bell above the door startled him at first, but as soon as Tim realised he had a customer, he couldn’t help but feel a little excited. Not because he particularly wanted to talk to the well-dressed man, confidently striding into the store, he just wanted a break from the monotonous silence, even if it was, just for a few minutes.

Remembering his training, Tim flashed the man a smile before tottering off across the room to look busy. It was company policy to give the customers some time to look around and feel comfortable before engaging them in conversation. Supposedly putting them at ease before a member of staff went over for the hard sell.

With the man being the store’s only customer that afternoon, Tim also felt a little nervous while pretending to straighten a rack of dresses. Working on mostly commission these days, he knew he couldn’t afford to miss this sale. Especially given the fact that his store manager, Alma, had already mentioned how she would have to let him go if business didn’t pick up soon. Something completely unfair and biased, in his opinion! He was the one who did all the work while she just sat in the backroom, chatting, and drinking coffee with Kay, the store’s other employee, and Alma’s favourite. It was total bullshit!

Peeking out the corner of his eye, Tim suddenly noticed the man staring at him. Turning, he smiled and took a few steps forward. The handsome shopper returned the smile, meeting Tim in the centre of the room.

“Good afternoon, Sir,” Tim sang out in a cheery voice. “Are you looking for anything in particular today?” Watching as the man’s face dropped, Tim worried whether he’d said something wrong.

“Oh, yes. A coat.” The man answered, sounding a little down, “But what’s with the sir? I know you’re at work, but you can call me George, you know? Sir sounds so impersonal.”

“Oh, yes, George. Sure,” Tim replied while smiling. “So, George, any coat in particular?”

“Yeah, the dark one in the window. The one from this season’s collection,” he replied with a chuckled. “You know that’s what I always liked about you. You’re always straight to the point.”

Not knowing how to respond to the random comment, Tim decided to ignore it. “Aren’t you sweet,” he announced, not opposed to flirting a little to get the sale. “Let me see if we have one in the back room for you to try. You’re a large, right?”

“That’s right,” George replied, giving Tim an exaggerated, cheeky wink.

Tim cringed behind his forced smile and plastered on makeup. “Why do they always have to be weird?” he thought to himself, turning to leave.

“Wait! Before you go. Do you mind if I take a quick selfie of the two of us?” George suddenly announced, producing a phone from his pocket.

“Great, he’s not just weird, but a pervert too!” Tim moaned in his head, determined not to let his discomfort show. “Erm… sure, where do you want me?” He replied, not willing to lose a sale over some silly picture.

(See image 32)