I asked if there might be a position open for someone to stand at the cash register and take money in the afternoons. “How old are you?” the first man said. “Thirteen. I’ll be fourteen next—” “Ever work in a bookstore?” the second man said. “That doesn’t matter,” the first man said. “Hold on.” He shut the door and I heard them whispering furiously. When the door opened again they were smiling. “Can you be here by two o’clock?” the first man said. “School lets out at three.” “Fine. We’ll work out your schedule later.”
