Variety Stores

Variety Stores is over on Ring Road, at 14th Cross 21. It’s a standard shop. I carry a bit of everything, which is why the name is Variety Stores. The 14th Cross can be hard to navigate if you aren't from around here. Ring Road is always jammed with cars and buses. The noise never really stops. I’ve been at this number 21 spot for quite some years. The shelves are high and I have to use a ladder sometimes. It’s a bit rickety but it works. I spend my time stocking things and talking to the people who walk in. Most are from the neighborhood. They need a small thing for their house and they come to me. I don’t have a fancy display. Just items on shelves. Sometimes it gets a bit dusty. I try to wipe things down when it’s slow. Variety Stores is just a local place. Nothing corporate about it. I’m usually here from early morning until late evening. My back hurts a bit by the end of the shift. I have a small stool behind the counter. The light bulbs flickered yesterday so I had to change them. That’s the kind of stuff I do. No big plans, just keeping the shop open. It’s a steady rhythm on Ring Road. I keep a radio on the shelf but the reception isn't great. Most of the time it’s just static and the sound of the traffic outside.