I’m bored. It’s been 90 minutes since a customer has come here without using it as a shortcut between shoes and juniors.

“I’m not supposed to do this, am I?” One lady said, almost apologetically.

“Just gets my hopes up is all,” I answered. I even stood up to help you.

I am so bored I am going to count the gumball quarters.

The Origins counter is the least expensive cosmetic counter at Mae’s. We’re also one of the least popular. Go figure. The only thing that’s guaranteed to sell are the Peace of Mind gumballs. They’re giant, peppermint-flavored, and 25¢ each.

I pull out the heavy box, dump the contents on the counter, and start rolling the load.

$55.24, with a 3% commission split by 3 workers. The 24¢ kills me – it means people were trying to fool the machine with lesser coins.

I find the slip with the gumball sku, and ring them in, 25 at a time, marking them and counting up my total. I’ve sold $585 dollars in 6 hours, with 2 more to go.

What’s sad is that’s considered a good day.