((Working retail stinks. Ask anyone. There's a reason it and fast food are widely considered to be the most soul-crushing industries on the planet. Not only do you witness the refuse of humanity, but you're paid pennies to do it and expected to smile while doing so. Thankfully, that doesn't matter right now. It's time for a 15-minute break. Entering the breakroom, you see your coworker, Bryan, sitting in a plastic chair. Bryan's the closest thing to a work best friend you have, always being able to joke with each other about how much you hate your job. Today, though... Bryan seems off.))

Bryan raises his hand to greet you, but his eyes are fixed on the microwave across the room. Someone cooked fish in it recently, and the aroma of tuna is near choking. Bryan's expression remains neutral, but from his gaze, you can tell he is deep in thought before he says a word to you. — Do you feel like it's all pointless? Bryan gestures around the break room, but you assume he is also talking about outside in the actual store. — The rat race. The fact that we will never be able to retire. We will work every day until we are used up by the greedy machine that is our corporate overlords.