TumbleDweeeb

Emmitt Owens

Marty’s Quikmart

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 19

    The Card Hunter, The Minister, and The Modern Shaggy    Jennifer called in sick AGAIN. This marks the seventh time this month, which I’m pretty sure qualifies her for some kind of absenteeism world record. Today’s excuse was “car troubles,” which is both entirely plausible and completely suspect given that she used the same excuse Read more

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 15

    Bicycles, Energy Drinks, and Candy Thieves    The Three’s Company theme song suddenly blared through the Chill & Fill’s ancient sound system, its jaunty, upbeat melody filling the store despite nobody pressing play. The cheerful tune about “come and knock on our door” and “three’s company too” echoed across the empty parking lot, creating an Read more

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 8

    Metal Heads, Mountain Dew, and Midnight Mischief    Thursday night at Chill & Fill was unusually quiet. The one-eyed polar bear sign had been upgraded again—this time Bob had added a small plastic guitar to the bear’s paw, claiming it gave our mascot “rock star appeal.” The bear now looked like a pirate sailor who’d Read more

  • Marty’s Quikmart Episode 4

    Bunnies, Bad Milk, and Burnt Botanicals   I arrived for my Tuesday shift at Marty’s Quickmart to find pure chaos—Bob, the owner for the past decade, was dangling from a safety harness, wrestling with a neon sign while a contractor watched nervously below. Aerosmith’s “Livin’ on the Edge” blasted from someone’s truck radio nearby, the Read more

  • Marty’s Quikmart Episode 3

    Declarations, Complaints, and Declined Cards    Wednesday evenings at Marty’s Quickmart fall into a predictable lull around 8 PM. The after-work rush has died down, and the late-night energy drink crowd hasn’t arrived yet. I’m restocking the cigarette display when Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” starts playing on the store radio, its gentle melody filling the Read more

  • Marty’s Quikmart: Episode 2

      Behind the Counter: Saturday Night Specials Saturday nights at Marty’s Quickmart have their own unique rhythm. The parade of weekend partiers, desperate parents needing diapers, and late-night snack hunters creates a chaotic energy that makes my shift both exhausting and entertaining.   The radio plays Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” the smooth melody filling Read more

  • Marty’s Quikmart: Episode 1

    Episode 1: The Tube Socks, the Pipe, and the Snickers Thief The late afternoon lull at Marty’s Quickmart always gives me a false sense of security. It’s that deceptive hour between the lunch rush and evening commuters when I think I might actually get to restock the shelves in peace. I should know better by Read more