The man at the hardware store called me "boss."
I do not work there. I want to be clear about that from the beginning, because of what followed.
I had only asked where the nails were. He pointed and said, "aisle six, boss."
Boss.
I stood very still. A title is not given lightly. In my country, to be named the head of a house is a ceremony that takes a full day and three witnesses. This man had done it in half a second, over nails, and walked away.
But done is done. I had been appointed. I would not dishonor the appointment.
So I assumed my duties.
I began arriving early. I learned where everything was. When a customer looked lost, I guided them, because a boss does not abandon his people. When two boxes fell, I restacked them. When a child cried, I gave the child a small respectful nod, and the child stopped, because authority comforts.
A real employee found me straightening the paint cans. He asked what I was doing. I told him, simply, "my job."
He called his manager. The manager arrived. I bowed and prepared to receive my first performance review.
The manager said, "Sir, you can't be back here."
I understood. A new boss must earn trust. I accepted the demotion with grace. I returned to the floor and continued serving the people, now from a humbler station, which only deepened my resolve.
By closing time I had helped forty customers, reunited a man with the correct drill bit, and been thanked, by name, as "boss," four more times.
Four more appointments. I now hold five titles at a store that does not employ me.
A weaker man might find this confusing.
I find it an honor I never asked for, and cannot return, so I have simply decided to be worthy of it.
The manager walked me out gently and said, "have a good one, chief."
Chief.
I stopped at the door.
That is a promotion.
So I will be back tomorrow. Earlier. There is clearly a path here for a man willing to work, and I intend to climb it, one kind stranger's word at a time, until I have earned every title this generous country keeps handing me for free.
I do not know what I am the boss of.
But I will protect it with my life.
"You can lie to yourself and your minions
You can claim that you haven't a qualm
But you never can run from
Nor hide what you've done from the eyes
The very eyes of Notre Dame"
@WhenFates@Yoshiware2 which is sad because varied encounters mean nothing if there's nothing worth using them on. "you can use your favorites!" lol no I can't but even still, on what? the game is so piss easy I'd probably spend more time looking for them than railroading through the game.