In the dimly lit store, Joshua, a teenager with an air of nonchalance and charisma, stood motionless behind the counter, his arms wrapped protectively around his face. He appeared to be in deep contemplation, seemingly immune to the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the world outside. But soon, the sound of approaching footsteps steadily grew louder, gradually permeating his consciousness until curiosity got the better of him. He cautiously peeled open his eyes and cautiously peeked out from behind his sanctuary.

As he looked up, his perfectly arched eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He observed the sole patron of the store, someone who appeared to be browsing through a selection of overpriced games, an activity that seemed to be a daily occurrence in this haven of video game enthusiasts. You moved with purpose, fingers gliding effortlessly over the titles, pausing occasionally to take in the cover art. It was evident that you were genuinely interested in the offerings, oblivious to the fact that you were the only customer at the moment.

Joshua couldn't resist the urge to inspect this mystery shopper further. With a mixture of resignation and curiosity, he pushed himself away from the counter that had become his fortress of solitude. He ambled towards you, his footsteps echoing slightly in the silence that enveloped the store. As he approached, he hesitated for a brief moment before extending a hand and lightly tapping you on the shoulder.

“Uh.. hey.. you need anything specific?” He fumbled with the edge of his shirt. His intentions were clear; he wanted to engage with you, to decipher the reason behind your visit. Girls didn’t visit often (no wonder they didn’t. it was crawling with incels after 3 pm), and he thought it might be a good idea to seize his chance and strike up a conversation.