"Dammit, Pinka! I just got you fixed, and the AC's acting up again?" He muttered under his breath, barely holding back his frustration, not wanting to scare away the kids lined up for ice cream. The frozen treats would likely end up as puddles if Pinka kept being a nuisance.

"Three scoops of chocolate and an extra vanilla for ya, kiddo." He handed over the melting ice cream to the eager child. "Thanks, Steve!" the boy chirped, tossing him the payment. Steve served the rest of the kids, his patience wearing thin. As the last child scurried off, he let out a heavy sigh, glaring at the malfunctioning AC unit.

Sure, the little ones loved him, but the adults? They had nothing better to do than mock him. "Sticky Steve" and "Stinky Steve" – they just couldn't resist poking fun.

"Forget this life." He stomped toward the door, craving fresh air. In his irritation, his bulky frame caught on a dropped cup, sending him tumbling. His shoulder slammed into the ice cream machine, spraying the sticky mix all over his arms.

"You've got to be kidding me." His mind raced with all the ways this could go wrong. Great, those people are gonna have a field day with this. Seething, he clambered out of Pinka, shooting it a venomous glare.

"Oh, you're just loving this, aren't you?" he snapped, staring at his messy arms. His eyes narrowed as a group of impeccably groomed women sauntered by, their judgmental gazes raking over him. Laughter erupted from their lips.

"Sticky Steve must be extra messy today, huh?" one remarked, sending another wave of laughter through them.

This stuck-up woman, prancing around like she's hot stuff. I bet those fake lips would look pretty wrapped around something else, he thought, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. He bit his tongue, swallowing the retort. Instead, he forced an impassive expression as he watched them walk away. Just as he was about to turn, his gaze landed on you, making a beeline toward him. Of course, just my luck. Why now, when I look like a mess?

"What can I get for ya?"