It Begins

	Spec stirred in his bed as his alarm started to go off. The gray fur wolf groaned at his phone as he turned the alarm off. He laid in bed for an additional couple of minutes before sat up and stretched. “Breakfast...” he mumbled to himself as he rubbed his blue eyes while putting on his blue silk robe. He made his way to the kitchen where he made a simple breakfast of butter grits and black coffee before getting dressed for work. 

	He had the luxury to take his time getting ready as he owned the book store on the bottom floor of the building, Twilight Books. The main entrance was connected to a small annex that lead to bottom of the building that Spec owned and lived in. It was a strange lay out, but Spec enjoyed it and it was a nice location with a lot of foot traffic due to the bakery next door. 

	Coffee mug in hand, Spec set up the store buy putting out the daily newspapers and making sure the register had the proper change for the day. It was always slow in the morning when he first opened as only regulars wanting the daily paper would come in to buy a copy before going next door for coffee and a pastry. Despite being at odds with the bakery owner, they had an arrangement that customers would get a discount at the bakery with proof of same day purchase from Twilight Books. It helped both stores bottom line in the long run. 

	About an hour after opening, a young panda girl with a bob cut walked in wearing a gray hoodie. “Hey boss” she said as she walked past Spec towards the employee break room. “Hey Jen” he said before she put her belongings up. She returned shortly with her work lanyard around her neck. “So, just the regulars like usual?” she asked. “Pretty much” responded Spec as he drank from his mug. He made a face as his coffee had turned cold. He finished it one gulp, not wanting to waste it. 

	“You really should cut back on the coffee. All that caffeine can't be good for you” Spec gave Jen a look as he set his mug down. “You know I'm ex Navy. Coffee is basically like water to me. Second, gotta stay alert” he said looking from side to side as if expecting an attack. Jen just shook her head as she took her position behind the register. “At ease 'sailor'. I'm pretty sure your sister isn't going to sneak attack you today. But seriously boss” she said as she started to chew a piece of mint gum. “You need to hire some more help. I know this place is your baby but you work basically six days a week. Just make sure you keep me on Sundays at my extra pay rate” she said with a giant grin. “Ha. Ha. Ha.” said Spec in response as he started to put up books customers had moved while browsing. 

	“What are we laughing at?” asked a jaguar in a business suit who had walked in. “Rigel!” said Spec and Jen in unison upon seeing the him enter the store. “Hi guys” said Rigel as he put a pink box on the counter. “I brought you some of those new carrot cake balls Kassandra started selling next door”. Rigel opened the box to reveal its content. It had a dozen bite sized balls of carrot cake with a cream cheese drizzle over them. “Ooh” said Jen as she took one and tried it. She closed her eyes and softly moaned as the flavor danced on her tongue. “Damn, that rabbit can bake” she said as she went for another. Spec came to try one as well and nodded in approval. “Those are good. Surprised you don't have any coffee to go with these Ri”. Rigel chuckled and said, “About that...” He held up a travel mug and said, “You know I love your personal blend.

	Spec shook his head and laughed as he took the mug from Rigel. “I'll hook you up. Give me a sec”. Spec went to the back as Jen took another cake bite. “Here for your weekly pull?” asked Jen as she took out a couple of magazines from a long box behind the register. “Please” said Rigel as he took out his wallet. “So what were you two talking about before I walked in?” “I'm trying to convince the workaholic wolf to hire more people so he doesn't run himself ragged”. Spec returned to hear the last part of the conversation as he handed Rigel his travel mug, now filled with coffee. “What did you call me Jen?” “Am I wrong?” she asked, giving her boss the “you know I'm right” look. Spec gave her his “shut it” look before turning to Rigel. “Regardless of what some think of my 'work ethic', I am looking to hire some people. At least a shift leader so I can take some time off so I stop getting lectured” he said looking at Jen.

	“Well if you are looking for a shift leader, I might know somebody” said Rigel. Spec and Jen looked at him as Spec took another cake bite for himself. “No shit? Anyone I know?” “I never brought her here, but she used to work with me until recently. She didn't get along with our boss...” “How so” asked Spec as Rigel rubbed the back of his neck. “Well... I mean, you've heard stories about my boss”. Spec remembered seeing stories about Rigel's boss. Several allegations of sexual harassment, yet some how nothing ever stuck. 

	“Right... why do you work for him again?” asked Spec. “The pay and insurance are top tier. Need both in this city”. Jen and Spec nodded, unable to argue the logic. Despite what Rigel's boss was like, the jaguar was a sweet heart that everyone loved. “Well, how is your friend professionally?” asked Spec. “She is amazing. Great with numbers and really friendly... Just, um... never call her a”. Rigel hesitated to say what he wanted to but leaned in super close before whispering “fart squirrel”. Realizing what Rigel said, Spec put together what this woman was.

	“Your friend is a skunk?” “Listen, she doesn't smell or anything. I swear she is a great working and she is looking for work”. “Ri, it's not like that. It's just...” “Tell her to come in for an interview” said Jen causing Spec to look at her. “I'm sorry. Is your name on the store window?” “No Spec but technically yours isn't either. Look boss” she said as she took another cake bite. “You need help. Just interview her and see what the vibe is like”. 

	Spec was uneasy about the idea of working with a skunk, but he couldn't argue with Jen's logic. “Okay Ri. Let her know we are hiring. Have her call the store to set up an interview”. “Oh goodies” said Rigel as he clapped his hands together rapidly. I'll tell her today after work. Speaking of” he said as he looked at his watch. He took out his credit card and paid for his magazines before heading out. “Take care you two. I promise you Spec, you won't regret working with Cindy”.  Spec waved to Rigel as he thought to himself, “We'll see about that Ri. We'll see”.