<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><strong>Book Revue<br/>Financial District/Downtown<br/>Wednesday Night -- November 10, 2010</strong><br/>Fate Turner (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=105330.msg4630243#msg4630243) -- Bored outta her mind...</span><br/><br/>Nestled in between all the busy streets and shops of Downtown, better known as the Financial District by the bigwigs, an old used book store has managed to keep its corner post for more than a decade already. Chic cafes and coffee shops have settled nearby over the years and bookworms were more than happy to settle in for a cup of java after they've added to their reading collection.<br/><br/>Recently, with the change in ownership, the store's gone through several renovations and the place's appearance has changed rather drastically. Books were now shelved neatly and categorized under their genres, for the regular customers who have visited throughout the years they've found that it was much easier to find their favorites when the novels were in alphabetical order by authors. The giant bins of used books were gone for good, and the entire interior of the store was neat, now with enough room to actually install a few plush couches as well.<br/><br/>However, the policy of the store hadn't changed at all. Books were rented out for a week. If you like it, you keep it. If you don't, you return it and the store returns 50% the book's paying price. Used books were bought back for 25% - 50% the book's paying price, depending on the condition -- and sold the same way. Business wasn't exactly booming but the income was steady thanks to regular patrons and the occasional curious newcomer.<br/><br/>Music pulsed softly from the headset hanging around her neck, though the woman sitting behind the front counter seemed oblivious to it as she dozed off, lulled by the rhythmic sound of raindrops pattering against the windows. Fate seemed oddly out of place in the store. At first glance, people wouldn't guess that she was much of a reader. A second glance and they were probably wondering if she actually, truly, worked there. Very few people actually knew that she was the owner of the shop. Very few people meaning herself and Mike. She was more than happy to let him take the credit as store owner.<br/><br/>Stretching back, she yawned hugely and blinked blearily for a moment before resting her chin in hand and once again, stared idly out the glass doors to the downpour outside. Morning classes were killer, but it was all she could do if she planned to pull off running the store during the afternoon and evenings. After all, it was her only source of income and Mike wasn't<em>that</em>generous a soul. But during nights like these, when business was dead -- no thanks to the pouring rain -- it was hard to stay awake till closing time.<br/><br/>Ahh, she couldn't wait to get home. Glancing over at the clock, she noted that there was still an hour and a half left before she could lock up without Mike getting on her case for closing early. Then it'd be home, possibly soak for an hour or two in a hot bath and then lounge around at home once class was finished tomorrow. Thursdays and Sundays had quickly become Fate's favorite days and she spent her free time from work sitting in her underwear at home with a can of cold beer in hand while she surfed through the channels on her little television set. Not the most glamorous way to spend her days off but hey, who's to judge? Even Mike didn't bother with her anymore, though she never turned down an invitation for free food.<br/><br/>Her notes from class were sprawled messily around the desk, textbook laying to the side unopened. With a heavy sigh, she nestled her head in her arms and stared over at the ticking clock. Nine o' clock just could<em>not</em>come around fast enough. Burying her face in her arms, Fate was determined to just sleep till closing time. Screw Mike and his store policy shit.