Chapter 1: Unraveling Todd's Quirks

After spending five unusual months under Todd's supervision, the team is starting to make sense of his eccentricities. This doesn’t imply that they find his behavior any less peculiar. One of his early decisions, coinciding with the renovations in the kitchen, was to inform the weekly cleaning lady that her services were no longer required. He told the rest that they couldn't afford her, yet no alternative cleaning plan was put in place. This left the remaining staff to assume responsibility for maintaining the office, with Todd, Fred, and likely Vince exempt from any cleaning duties.

The majority of the male employees seem to believe their only obligation is to keep the men’s room stocked with supplies and clean up after themselves, attempting to avoid creating a mess. However, this arrangement often falls short. Consequently, Vicky or Valerie often find themselves handling the larger cleaning tasks, either in frustration or resignation. It's a mystery why either would feel compelled to clean the men's room, as none of the men, except Todd, would ever ask for it. Yet, leaving it unattended appears to trouble them.

"You'd think the ladies' room wouldn't be so bad," Vicky remarked to Edgar, perhaps explaining her willingness to clean. "But no, it's just as filthy as the men's room, often worse."

Edgar appreciates her efforts but refuses to take on any major cleaning responsibilities unless specifically instructed by Todd. Thus far, Todd has directed his demands solely at Valerie, making it clear from the onset, "You're my personal assistant now; that’s part of your job." This was symbolized by the construction of her desk, which became a physical reminder of her role.

One of her primary duties involves ensuring the kitchen refrigerator is perpetually stocked with Dr. Pepper. Todd has a running "joke" where he warns colleagues not to consume his Dr. Pepper stash as he breezes by. Their reactions, though they feign amusement, are more bewildered shrugs once he leaves the room. The truth is, no one is particularly interested in his supply. They would simply buy their own if they were. Most of all, they empathize with Valerie, who bears the brunt of Todd's peculiar demands, which include cleaning up after his consumption of Dr. Pepper and other beverages.

Todd engages in this theatrical display—something Edgar views as an odd attempt to assert his authority—by piling up every half-empty Dr. Pepper can, full Big Gulp cups, and his large Beef Manor takeout containers in the kitchen sink until it’s nearly overflowing. Then, as he dashes past Valerie’s desk, usually on his way out, he delivers another one of his half-serious remarks, "Hey, someone should check out the kitchen; I have no idea what happened, but the sink's full again." This leaves Valerie to deal with the aftermath of emptying out the beverages and disposing of the containers.

Edgar feels he recognizes this personality type. Todd appears convinced that every attractive female in the office is infatuated with him. He even imagines Todd inviting them to some awkward social event, perhaps at his home. This notion surfaces during a small bonfire gathering at Valerie's place, where Edgar shares his suspicion.

"I can totally see that happening," Edgar concludes to those around the fire.

"It's coming. It is coming," Brian nods in agreement.

"Oh god," Valerie groans, "like I really want to hang out with… some creepy dude with a labradoodle…"

Valerie's disdain for Todd is evident. Despite this, Edgar finds Todd to be entertaining and believes he might be just what Wholesome Shopper Market needs. Is Todd genuinely funny? Yes, but not in the way he thinks.

One afternoon, having just polished off a quick tuna lunch at his desk, Edgar is interrupted by Todd, who walks in and comments, "You smell like tuna."

"How do you know it’s me?" Edgar quips, grinning.

At this moment, Dale and Valerie are unpacking boxes in the main room, while Barbara sits at her desk nearby. Edgar’s remark prompts laughter from the trio, with Barbara even snorting in amusement. Todd, however, misinterprets the laughter as directed at him, nodding and smiling as he scans the room for validation.

"You're always eating weird stuff," Todd replies, failing to grasp the irony.

Later, once Todd and Barbara have left, Valerie strolls into Edgar's office, beaming. "Dude, that was hilarious! How do you know it's me?" she laughs.

Edgar leans back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head, and smiles. "You liked it?"

"Yes! I got what you meant," she says, glancing at the now-empty desk and adding, "poor Barbara..."

While Dale continues unpacking, he comments, "Since when is a can of tuna considered weird food?"

"We've got much weirder stuff than that over at the store," Vicky chimes in, passing by them.

"Exactly," Dale agrees.

However, one person who likely isn't amused by Todd's antics is Barbara herself. Edgar remains unaware of the specifics of what transpired and is not inquisitive enough to ask. The topic simply doesn't arise. He recalls sitting alone in their shared office late one afternoon when Todd storms in, visibly furious.

"I am so…fucking…pissed off right now!" he hisses at Edgar, punctuating each word with a dramatic hand gesture. "So fucking pissed off!" he repeats, casting a sideways glance at Barbara's desk before storming out.

These events seem connected, but perhaps they are not. A few hours later, an email circulates informing everyone that Barbara is no longer with the company. The news elicits a mix of comedy and sadness for Edgar. He chuckles at the thought of having the office to himself but simultaneously feels a twinge of nostalgia for her presence. Despite their quirks, these individuals are part of his daily life.

As for Barbara, she quickly transitions to Sunnybush Farms, another local store that competes with Wholesome Shopper Market. Edgar reflects on how this place serves as a filter. Those unable to adapt, or who struggle with the corporate atmosphere, tend to move on, while those who surpass the environment are likely to find opportunities elsewhere. What this implies about those who remain is uncertain; it likely suggests they simply haven’t been sorted yet.

Amidst these dynamics, Edgar recalls his last conversation with Barbara, which lingers in his mind. Just the previous day, out of the blue, she wistfully remarked, "I wish my extension was 3320 instead of 3303. That just sounds cooler, you know?"

Edgar, momentarily focused on his spreadsheet, raises his head with a concerned expression. After a moment, he chuckles lightly and nods, "Yeah, that really would be cooler."

Other developments, however, are more apparent and unambiguous. The fallout from Isabel's abrupt "retirement" has stirred whispers. Although Isabel, like several recent departures, is too dignified to state it outright, the wave of high-profile exits seems too coincidental to ignore.

Many employees aren't thrilled with the new regime. Yet, a similar number find humor in the situation, especially those who are content with the current management and intend to stick around. These events might be perceived as poetic justice. For instance, when Todd announces that Destiny Davis is being transferred to Arcadia to fill Isabel's position, it’s clear that this is a demotion, despite Todd's insistence that it's a lateral move.

Destiny seems to accept the change with a forced cheerfulness, recognizing both the pros and cons of her new role. Arcadia is quieter, allowing her to ease up, but lacks a receiver, adding to her workload. Edgar notices her mood has soured as he arrives for his first audit at Arcadia, where Destiny has been stuck behind the register all day.

During his visit, a customer approaches her register, and Destiny, already irritable, calls Edgar over. As he arrives, a confused older gentleman stands there with his groceries.

"He forgot his card, and we can't look it up? Why can't we just check their info? Do I really have to fill out a new application every time they forget their card?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Edgar shrugs, feeling the tension.

"We can't even type in their phone number?" she exclaims, waving her hand at the register's screen.

"No. Todd doesn't want us looking people up."

"But I thought there was a way to search by phone number! This is ridiculous!"

"Are you collecting their phone numbers when you sign them up?"

"No," she replies.

"Well, there you go. How could that work then?" he states, walking away.

By the end of this interaction, the customer looks more horrified than confused. Edgar shakes his head, chuckling to himself. The situation in the office is becoming increasingly chaotic, and he senses it will only worsen.

Reflecting on the dynamics at play, Edgar realizes that working in-store offers distinct advantages compared to his office position. Store employees are closer to the action, allowing them to address complaints before they escalate to the office level. Destiny has the ability to navigate the narrative, participating in discussions about loyalty cards but conveniently omitting her involvement when she complains about the outcome.

Edgar is aware that Destiny is one of many who have adopted this mindset, which has shifted blame onto him. He recalls receiving an email from Jessie, the head cashier at Central, expressing her frustrations about the loyalty card system. While he appreciates her professionalism, it exemplifies how the narrative has taken hold, with some who initially opposed him now blaming him for the system's shortcomings.

In truth, the loyalty card setup is flawed. Edgar had warned them it wouldn't work, but many disagreed, viewing him as difficult for suggesting they enter the information themselves. Todd remains adamant that nothing will change, yet Edgar suspects he might also be telling others, "I don't know, ask Edgar; this is his idea," if complaints arise. He struggles to clarify that this was not his initiative; he is merely the person entering the data into the system.

Chapter 2: The Aftermath of Change