Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Author:Sayaka Murata [Murata, Sayaka]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, pdf
ISBN: 9780802165800
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Published: 2018-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Somehow I felt the need to hear the sound of the convenience store, so on my way home from Miho’s that evening I dropped into work.

“Hey, Miss Furukura, what’s up?” The high school girl on the evening shift was busy doing some cleaning but paused when she caught sight of me. “Wasn’t it your day off today?”

“Yes, that’s right. I went to visit my parents, but I thought I’d just place a few orders on my way home.”

“Wow, amazing, you’re really dedicated, aren’t you?”

The manager had arrived early and was in the back room.

“Good evening. Are you about to start your shift?” I asked him.

“Oh, Miss Furukura, what brings you in now?”

“I got back earlier than expected, and since I was passing nearby I thought I’d just come and input some figures …”

“Oh, you mean the confectionery orders? I dealt with those earlier, but you can check them for me if you like.”

“Thank you.”

The manager looked a bit pale. Maybe he hadn’t been getting enough sleep.

I sat down at the store computer and got to work.

“How are things on the night shift? Do you think you’ll have enough people?”

“No, not really. Someone came for an interview, but I didn’t take him on. After what happened with Shiraha, I’d better make sure I hire someone we can use next time.”

The manager often says “someone we can use,” and I wonder whether I’m someone we can use or not. Maybe I’m working because I want to be a useful tool.

“What was he like?”

“Oh, he was fine. But agewise … He’s already retired and had just left his previous job because of a bad back. And he said he wanted to be able to take time off work here too when his back was bad. It might be all right if I know in advance, but if I’m going to have him take time off at the last minute, I’m probably better off just doing the night shift myself.”

“I see.”

When you do physical labor, you end up being no longer useful when your physical condition deteriorates. However hard I work, however dependable I am, when my body grows old then no doubt I too will be a worn-out part, ready to be replaced, no longer of any use to the convenience store.

“Oh, Miss Furukura, could you work this Sunday, just the afternoon? Sugawara has a gig and won’t be able to come in.”

“Yes, I can do that.”

“Really? That’s such a big help.”

For now I was still a usable tool. Feeling a mix of both relief and anxiety, I said, mimicking Sugawara’s way of talking, “No, I’m trying to save money, so it suits me just fine,” and I smiled.

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