Work Text:
Susie liked her co-workers, mostly.
Jack hardly came up from his little spot in the sewers (and when he did, he always smelled rancid), but he was polite. He'd show her his work-in-progress lyrics, get her own input on what she thought Alice would say! Make sure it was "in-character".
He was good at what he did; she didn't know why he came to her. His wanting her opinion on it made her feel special, though.
Sammy was so charming. She could tell he had a soft spot for her and wasn't that sweet? He was a looker, too. The perfect guy, exactly her type. He was also good at what he did. He could command a room like no one else!
She wouldn't mind him commanding her-
Oh, how unladylike!
Norman was mysterious. You never knew when you'd find him! He always knew exactly where what she needed was, though. It was like he could read her mind! And although he was a little creepy, hiding in the shadows and wandering about as quiet as a mouse (with his size, she didn't know how), his jokes were funny. She didn't know how the others didn't find them so!
And finally, Wally. He was always ready to help, and he'd tip his hat to her every time they'd meet. He always shared the newest gossip, anything he found out while wandering about. She could always dig into it deeper if she wanted. He wasn't no detective, he'd say, he wasn't going to delve into anything he didn't have to. Even if he was curious.
She worried about Wally the most.
Now she knew he could handle himself! He handled himself and others, if him saying that "I swear, Miss Campbell, I'm like a herdin' dog and the rest of them are sheep!" meant anything.
But he did so much every day. Every time she saw him, he looked like a mess. His clothes were stained in ink, his hat would be askew, and sometimes he'd be sweating.
It was getting hotter nowadays. It was 95 degrees today; the radio said so this morning! If it changed, it hadn't gotten better.
She put on her best sundress this morning and a nice pair of Mary Jane's. Something airy and light, so she wouldn't burn! She even put on a nice sun hat, just for the aesthetic. She thought it all looked nice.
She was certainly cooler than all her other co-workers. The band had to stop playing three times for a water break. Sammy was grumbling to himself so often, wiping sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.
And poor Wally looked like he was sweltering in that long sleeve and heavy pair of overalls of his. He wore boots around the place, like always. She never understood why! And, of course, he was still wearing that hat of his.
Had he ever gone without it?
She remembered Jack joking once that his hat was glued to his head. He would've lost it otherwise, Sammy added.
So, she decided to try to help him a bit.
She cleaned up her area before he could get to it. She'd give any band members who dropped their garbage a look, one stern enough she could contend with her own mother! There was still basic dirt and grime, but any garbage was picked up and put in the trash.
And during lunch?
She went out and bought some lemonade.
There was a place that sold some only a five-minute walk away.
Her heels couldn't stop her from going on a small walk. The sun on her face, the fresh air, it made it a nice trip!
It didn't cost much. She could get the money back from her next paycheck.
But the smile on Wally's face made it feel like she spent more than she did.
He was beaming from ear to ear. His broom sat abandoned, left leaning against a wall.
"Ya really shouldn't have, Miss Campbell."
She shook her head as he gingerly took a cup of lemonade from her.
"I wanted to! You work so hard, you deserve a treat every now and again! It didn't cost much, I swear."
He opened his mouth to say something. Surely something along the lines that he could pay her back for this. That he would, if she wanted!
She gave him one of her mom's looks. One she saw throughout her childhood, one that always got her to take her hand out of the cookie jar.
He wisely left it be.
He instead took a sip of his lemonade.
She took one of her own.
It really was good. Citrusy, with just the right amount of sweetness! She bet the barista had put some honey in it.
She and Wally both had a bit of a sweet tooth, so she knew it'd be a hit.
"Yer gonna have to show me that place sometime, Miss Campbell."
"You'll pay?"
She paid for their last outing. It had been a nice little joint. The place's strawberry smoothies and French toast were heavenly!
"It'll be my treat!"
It was bitter.
It shouldn't have been, but it wasn't sweet. It was all citrusy and bitter.
Everythin' wasn't the right temperature. His sandwich was too cold, the lemonade lukewarm.
It wasn't right.
Wally could see himself makin' a remark about it. Makin' a quiet comment about sheesh, they let the time pass by! How this place really shouldn't have messed with their lemonade. Ya know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
The seat across from him was still empty.
He took another sip of his lemonade.
A missin' poster was stuck to a pole outside the window. A smilin' dame. If the picture had colour, her hair would've been blonde.
He knew whose name was under it. What it was supposed to be, even if the p looked like a b.
Susie Campbell.
Maybe she would've liked this bitter stuff more than him.