#in a way I suppose they unintentionally became a method of me externalizing some things? idk

[byanyan]

ahahahaha... tfw you come to the realization that you've created a character who is loudly and unapologetically themself bc you are terrified to be yourself... where you internalize everything, they externalize everything...

[littleshopofaudrey1]

When Audrey Met Orin - Chapter 1

The Gutter was an eclectic place. Short women and tall women. Older women, younger women. Slim, thick, mothers, daughters, even wives. All kinds of ethnicities and body types. Externally, they were all different yet they all shared one thing in common: they didn’t want to be there.

One girl who especially didn’t want to be there was Audrey Fulquard. Her job at a Skid Row florist shop was simply not enough to sustain her so this was her last resort to simply survive.

She hated it. She hated wearing such tasteless outfits. She hates having to feign interest in men who were only looking at her with one thing in mind. Sadly, she had gotten used to that on the streets of Skid Row but getting paid for it? It just made her feel so dirty, so tainted. It certainly wasn’t the life she dreamed she’d have.

The majority of the other women did all they could to make an extra tip here or there. Audrey couldn’t bring herself to do it though. While others draped themselves over customers, Audrey cowered in the corner trying to cover her exposed body with her trembling hands. She had been there for almost two months but shifts never seemed to get any easier, they actually seemed to get worse.

Her method of coping was one she had grown accustomed to over the years of bleakness and misery that Skid Row had to offer. She’d live in her thoughts and transport herself to somewhere that’s green.

“Hello there, baby.” She was ripped from her happy place and reminded of where she actually was. Standing in front of a towering man who stunk of cigarettes and alcohol and was very obviously eyeing her up and down.

Audrey cleared her throat and tried to put on an available front even though she was screaming inside. “Hi! Would you like another drink?” She smiled, maintaining her distance from the stranger.

“I’d actually prefer something else…” He leaned in closer and, in her 5 inch heels, stumbled back a little. She was quite literally backed into a corner.

He rested his hand on her bare waist and confidently went in for a kiss which she expertly dodged, having had years of practice with men just like him.

“I-I’m sorry, I-I don’t do that kind of thing.”

“Why not? The others do. You can’t seriously be taking the moral high ground, look at you!” He continued to get closer and closer to her until...

“Hey, she’s not interested. Beat it.” Suddenly, a glimmer of hope arrived in the form of a man wearing a leather jacket and sporting vitalis covered hair.

“Yeah? Or what?” The arrogant drunk asked.

The strange man let out a humorless laugh and punched the drunk square in the face. After seeing him recoil in pain, his laugh became genuine.

“Thank you for that.” Audrey said meekly and tried to slump away but he blocked her path.

“Why don’t you come join me while I finish my drink? It’ll stop the weirdos swarming to you.” He suggested.

“Um…” She paused, not wanting to give him the wrong impression. “I don’t know…”

He could sense her discomfort. “No, nothing funny, I promise. It’s just to make sure you’re safe.” He flashed his eerily perfect grin and she immediately let her guard down. She figured that someone who looked as put together as he was must surely be a good guy. After all, he did protect her so gallantly.

She gave him a sincere smile. “That’s very sweet, thank you.”

They moved over to the table he had been occupying and he offered to buy her a drink.

“Oh, thank you but I’m not supposed to drink while working.” She said, trying her best to politely decline.

“Some rules are made to be broken. Waitress!” He put his hand up and another scantily clad woman named Destiny hurried over. “A whiskey for me and she’ll have a...vodka lemonade.” He guessed.

“You got it!” She smiled then excitedly winked at Audrey, surprised to see her so close to a customer when she usually avoided them like the plague.

“I’m Audrey, by the way.”

“Cute name. I’m Orin Scrivello. Doctor Orin Scrivello.” He put as much emphasis on ‘Doctor’ as he could, clearly proud of his title and not afraid to show it.

“Wow, you’re a Doctor?” No professional had ever shown any interest in her, not unless she was a patient.

“A Doctor?!” Destiny appeared seemingly out of nowhere and placed their drinks down. ”Enjoy!” She smiled and walked away but not before winking at Audrey and giving her a thumbs up.

Audrey took a sip and instinctively pulled a strained face given the fact that she rarely drank alcohol.

“Woah, you okay there?” He chuckled, he’d never seen a grown woman physically recoil at the taste of alcohol.

She blushed, a little embarrassed. “It’s perfect, thank you very much, I’m just not much of a drinker.” Despite this, she took another drink.

“Really? Can we get some shots over here?!” He yelled then chuckled, eliciting a huge laugh from Audrey.

“Stop!” She laughed and put her hand on his, unintentionally letting it linger. It hadn’t been long but she was sure she could feel the booze going to her head already.

“This doesn’t really seem like your gig. What’s a girl like you even doing working at a place like this?” It was a genuine queen on his behalf. He could tell right away that she wasn’t as confident or open as her fellow co workers. And he knew that he could use this to his advantage.

Audrey couldn’t help but smile at the fact that at least one man didn’t see her as just a sex object, he seemed to see past that.

“I love my job. Oh, not this one, my other job. I really do love it but I just can’t afford to live on that job alone. To be honest, we’re not doing too great there…” She sadly slurred.

“What’s your other job?” Orin was asking her these questions without a second thought. He didn’t care if it seemed as though he was intruding, he wanted to weigh up the complex girl sitting next to him.

“I work in a florist store!” She beamed. “Say, what kind of Doctor are you? If you don’t mind me asking.”

He ran his hand through his hair with just a hint of cockiness. “Well, I’m a dentist.”

By now, she had finished her drink. She couldn’t make a habit out of it but she was secretly pleased that she was able to abandon her worries for just one night.

“A dentist? Woah.” Her eyes comically bulged out. “I don’t know how you do it. All those people scared and in pain? Especially the kids.” She shook her head at the thought.

He giggled. “Yeah, I know.” He replied almost happily reminiscing about the thought. If she hadn’t been feeling a little fuzzy, she would’ve picked up on his attitude.

“I heard you guys ordered shots?” Destiny appeared grinning and holding a tray of six small shot glasses.

“Oh my gosh! He was kidding!” Audrey broke out into a laughing fit.

“No, no, let’s have a little fun. Put it on my tab please, Miss Destiny.” He picked up a shot and handed another to Audrey. “Cheers.”

She looked at it a little unsure but decided to hell with it. “Cheers!”