Taylor’s Tea Shop
Audrey and Esther had finally crossed the hotel lobby, eager to finish setting up, when a man with a clipboard in one hand and a walkie-talkie in the other hurried up to them.
“Hey there, I’m Steve, the volunteer coordinator.”
“Yeah, we’ve met,” Esther reminded him before giving her name and introducing Audrey.
“Oh, right,” Steve nodded. “I never expect people to remember me. Anyway… Did you check in at the volunteer desk yet?”
“Not yet,” Esther admitted, “I was helping my friend to her table first.”
“Well, okay,” Steve allowed, after a look at his watch. “You have some time, but not much.”
A crackly voice broke in over the walkie-talkie.
“Steve, you’re needed in Panel Room C.”
“That’s me,” Steve told them, as if they couldn’t make that connection themselves, then hurried down the hall.
Hoping for no more interruptions, Audrey and Esther passed the growing line, flashed their badges, and crossed the rope barrier into Geekify Greenville.
The main floor was relatively quiet as vendors finished setting up their displays or took a pre-opening stroll through the other tables and booths.
In Artists Alley, they easily found their way to Audrey’s table. They’d already hung a simple banner identifying it as Audrey’s Knit Nookand assembled some tabletop shelves. The last step was to display Audrey’s fantasy creations.
“Do you want some help?”
Esther set the purple tote bag next to the others.
“I have a little time, but not much,” she added, in a fair imitation of Steve’s frazzled tone.
“No, I’m okay.”
As Audrey unpacked her bags, a thin man in an old-time vest and bow tie stopped in front of her table.
“What do we have here?” He asked brightly. “Oh, crochet dolls? Dragon hats? Fun! I’m Taylor, from Taylor’s Tea Shop, over in the main room. I sell mystical tea blends tailored to your favorite fandoms.”
“Oh, that sounds great,” Audrey smiled.
“So fun!” Esther trilled, skillfully matching his over-the-top enthusiasm and earning an amused glare from Audrey.
“And you’re volunteering? Fabulous! Have you heard the rumors yet? Apparently, there’s some alien-tracking group here, and a huntress cosplayer searching for wizards, and our volunteer coordinator may have a little something something going on with one of the con’s founders!”
“I take it this isn’t your first year?” Audrey laughed.
“No, honey, I’ve been here since the start! I love this con! So much cozier than those big venues. Anyhoo… I’ll let you get back to it. Come find me in row 4!”
“I should be off, too,” Esther sighed, watching Taylor make his way down the aisle. “I’ll be back to help after my shift. Have fun while I’m gone!”
“You, too,” Audrey waved, still smiling at Taylor’s welcoming patter as she began setting out her crafts.
- If you want to follow more of Audrey’s morning, click here
- If you want to follow more of Esther’s morning, click here
You’re reading Audrey & Esther Geekify Greenville, A Twist Your Fiction Storybook online! If you enjoy these sample pages, you can buy the full book here.
With 3 genres, 22 possible endings, and even a time loop, Audrey & Esther Geekify Greenville will lead you through wacky journeys again and again!