Once again Xander was on the lookout for a job and saw a sign in Bowl-A-Rama so he decided to go in and apply for the job. Xander just had to leave the house because Uncle Rory was staying there and had the bad habit of not only getting drunk and wandering around in his smelly, holey underwear but even worse sometimes he was sporting the full monty which was traumatizing. Xander shuddered at that thought and fought to repress that scary image along with the other things he wanted to repress like that time when Buffy scared away Larry leaving Xander feel like a sissy man.
"Oh memories in my mind that I so don't want to find please flee and hide far, far away. Ok here goes nothing. I can do this. This is bowling and I'm mad for the throwing and the striking."
So he opened the door and went inside. He went up to the counter to ask about the job and found himself face to face with Brad from elementary school. He was just one of the many kids who picked on him and made his life sheer hell but Will made it bearable since she was there every step of the way with him. He mentally started telling himself not to stutter and that Brad had probably bullied so many through the years that most likely he wouldn't remember him. Besides he'd come a long way from those days when it was suspected that Xander might be mildly retarded.
"Can I help you?"
Xander looked at the name tag and said, "Yes Brad I'm interested in the job that's open."
"Wait a sec and I'll get you an application. Do I know you? You seem very familiar but I can't place you."
"Uh I don't think so uh Brad. I guess I just have one of those faces. They do say whoever they are that everyone has a double walking around somewhere."
"Yeah I've heard that too."
He turned and walked to a file cabinet in the corner and opened it up and pulled out an application.
"Here you go. Hey the manager is due shortly so why don't you hang around and talk to him. I'll let you in one a little secret people haven't exactly been running in here to apply so the job is pretty much a done deal if you want it."
"That would be great since I'm having some serious landlord issues. I don't get why lord is in the title anyway. Well I better fill this out. Thanks for the heads up and let me know when the manager gets back. I'll be at the snack-bar."
"No problem I'll send him over when he gets back."
"Thanks for your help."
Xander walked over to the snack-bar and ordered a coke and a bag of chips. He only had a five left so he was desperate for this job. He was not going to stoop so low as to scrub toilets with Sally Maid although he'd get the use of a company car which was a perk except for the whole humiliation factor if he was seen by actual people. He shuddered and erased that thought from his head.
"Ok this looks pretty much like any other application."
He filled it out and provided references which were bogus of course but Will and Buffy agreed to play the part of a former employer since he didn't want to include any real ones. He'd also risked putting his folks number down so he could pretend to be an employer although it was risky with Rory around. Xander knew that it was unlikely that the references would be checked and usually it was only the first one.
He finished filling out the application and started looking around. The thought of working here wasn't the worst thing in the world and he'd get a discount so he could splurge and have his palls out for a night of bowling fun not to mention the fact that Will got turned on by rented shoes which is something he just had to see because the last time they tried bowling well it just didn't happen and it ended badly and that was just another one of those thoughts he needed to erase from his brain. Freddie Iverson of all people came in the door and went up to the counter where he talked to Brad and then came his way.
"So you want to work here Harris isn't it?"
"Yes that's me Xander Harris."
"I have one question for you can you start tonight? I need someone to close for me."
"What oh yeah sure but isn't there a training period or something?"
"If you want you can stick around for a while and observe Brad. It's pretty simple. I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't really important."
"Sure no problem. What do you have a deadline on some story?"
"As a matter of fact I'm doing a review of some band at the Bronze."
"Well good luck with that. So are your reviews as brutal as in high school and one that comes to mind where the Dingoes sounded like they had sausages strapped to their fingers or something."
"Well it depends on the band but it can be brutal. I'm doing some freelancing for the Sunnydale Press and for pay too."
"Well that's great but I'll go to Brad to get Bowling 101 so I'll be all ready for my big closing night."
"Sure later Harris."
Xander walked over to Brad and said, "Well you were right I got the job so now I need a crash course in the ways of bowldom."
"Well you know how to use the register right?"
"After all once you've seen a register you've seen them all. I just need to be shown where the stuff is and all the procedures and whatnot."
So Brad took him on the tour and showed him where the shoes were kept for those who rented a pair and what to do with the street shoes.
"You fill this slip out and give a copy to the customer. Since this is your first day on the job you won't need to stop by the bank."
He took him to a back room where there was an opened safe.
"Just clear the register and put all the money in the safe. The safe locks itself. Tomorror you'll have someone to go through the whole procedure including a trip to the bank. Take the receipts and put them in this box. So do you have any questions?"
"No I think I've got it covered. I should be ok."
"It shouldn't be too bad since Mondays are usually a slow night."
"Ok well I'll be back later. See ya."
Xander left in a somewhat good mood. "Hopefully this job will last a little longer than the last one. At least I don't have to wear a stupid uniform."
He got into his car and stopped for some takeout before heading home. He was so glad that he had a way in without going through the living room. He ate his food and took a shower. When he came out he found Anya lying naked on his bed.
"An I really have to get to work."
"Xander it's been over twenty-four hours since we've had sex. We have to remedy that right now before I go back to the shop."
"Always with the romance. Ah what the hell I could always take another shower."
"Well you can give me pleasure and we can save water by showering together."
About an hour later they were getting dressed.
"Well I've got to get back to all my money. Sometimes I wonder if Giles stashes away money when I'm not around."
"An don't be silly. Remember what I told you."
"Yes I do but I just love money so much."
"Speaking of money I've gotta go I have a new job and I'm closing so I'll swing by your place later if you want."
"Yes and if you're up for it which I hope you are by the way we'll have a repeat performance."
They kissed and went their separate ways. Xander drove over to the bowling alley and went up to the counter. Brad was just getting ready to leave.
"Well good luck. It's been pretty slow but you'll have a few stragglers here and there and I think it's Bowling League night but they have their own shoes and routine so it'll be no problem."
"Sounds like this will be funapalooza."
Brad walked out the door. Xander took his place behind the counter and waited for someone wanting shoes to come his way. He found a chair and decided to sit down. Finally after he'd been on the job for an hour and a half someone came his way.
"Hi what size can I get ya?"
The guy replied, "I need a 7 and a 12."
"Ok I'll get those for you."
The girl that was with the guy looked a little like Ampata which brought up yet more bitter sweet memories what with the kissing and the life sucking. He grabbed the shoes and filled out the slips and gave them to the guy when he paid.
"Have fun bowling you two."
"Yeah thanks," he said as he grabbed the shoes, the receipt and his change.
"Well so far so good."
The rest of the evening went without any bumps in the road so Xander was hopeful that this latest job would last longer. He was hoping to talk his parents into letting him put a lock on the door since it was his place even if it was a dark and gloomy basement but he thought that the disco ball hanging from the ceiling brightened the place up. When it was time to close he put the closed sign up and made sure there were no last minute people hanging around.
At the snack-bar the girl there gave him a wave and left. Xander locked the door behind her. He checked to make sure all the shoes were accounted for and in the right place which they were since it had been pretty dead which Xander was just fine with since it was just his first day or rather night on the job. He opened the register and placed the money in the bag. He grabbed the slips and put them in the box and then closed the register. He took the money and put it in the safe and shut the door which locked itself once the door was closed.
Xander went out the back door locking it behind him and went to his car. He drove over to Anya's even though he was utterly beat after a long night and not having slept much the night before. Anya came to the door in a sexy red negligee.
"Wow!"
"Let's get to it I had a good night tonight."
"An honey I'm really tired and I'm thinking little Xand isn't up for anything right now. Let's just cuddle tonight and when we get up I'll be all recharged."
"OK since I'm in such a good mood."
The second Xander got in bed he fell asleep while Anya was once again talking about money. When Xander woke up he found a note on the pillow that said Anya had gone out to get some coffee and donuts. Xander got up and took a shower. He had brought some clothes over so he didn't have to put the old ones on. He grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt and got dressed. Once again he ended up with socks that weren't all matchy. Anya came in with coffee and donuts.
"Perfect timing did I ever tell you about this theory I have about socks?"
"No but go ahead I need to practice listening and you'd be the best person to practice it on."
"I just feel so special right now."
"Well you are do go on tell me your theory."
"Well it's about socks. You know how they go in the dryer all in pairs but they come out with socks missing. I think there is a gremlin or something that steals socks so we end up having to buy new socks or wearing ones that aren't all matchy."
"Well gremlins do exist but I don't think they're after socks but that's a nice theory. There could very well be something that collects socks but it's probably not gremlins. Maybe fairies since they can be strange creatures."
"It was just a thought not like I plan to research it so I can solve the mystery of the missing socks. Well I gotta go check out the work sitch."
Xander kissed Anya and walked to the door.
"Wait aren't we going to have sex now? After all you promised me."
Xander walked back to her and said, "Later I promise I have a little surprise in store for you along with sweaty sex afterwards." He grabbed a couple donuts along with a coffee.
"Well ok then so I'll see you later.
Xander left and went into panic mode. "Oh great now I've got to think of something to avoid getting into a silly argument. She just doesn't get the whole having other things on the mind. Ok enough talking I need Will. She'll know what to do her being a girl and all."
Xander drove over to the college found a parking space and walked over to Stevenson Hall where Buffy and Willow shared a room. He walked to their room and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Xander."
"Just a second."
Buffy opened the door.
"Am I interrupting something?"
When Xander stepped in Riley was just putting on his shirt.
"Hi Xander I was just leaving duty calls."
He kissed Buffy and left.
"So Xander what's up?"
"I need some girlie advice. I want a surprise for Anya actually I stuck my foot in my mouth and promised her a surprise. She doesn't quite understand when we don't well you know every single time we see each other."
"How about a picnic on Kingman's Bluff. That's a nice spot just get a blanket and a basket full of goodies and voila instant romance."
"Thanks Buf you wouldn't happen to have a picnic basket would ya?"
"As a matter of fact I have that basket I used for Halloween."
She went to her closet and found the basket in the back of the closet and handed it to Xander.
"Thanks you're a life saver."
"I know after all I am the Chosen One."
"Well I gotta go check in at home and see if Rory's gone."
"Well good luck with the picnic. Oh are you gonna be at the Bronze tonight?"
"It depends on whether I work tonight."
"So a new job huh?"
"Yeah you're looking at the gainfully employed man of Bowl-A-Roma."
"Oh the excitement of balls and pins flying should be right up your alley."
"Hey no mocking."
"Well I guess it beats dollars in the g-string."
"Hey!"
"Sorry but it was there and I just had to say it."
"Well if all goes well I'll be Bronzing it tonight."
"Later Xand."
"Yeah bye."
Xander walked to the car with basket in hand and thought about what food to get. He decided to head over to the bowling alley to find out his hours. He went inside and found Brad at the counter.
"Hey Brad."
"So you're back ready for more."
"It wasn't too bad but I'm hoping that I'm not always closing."
"Don't worry about that since Freddie is usually the one that closes up. I have your schedule right here."
Xander looked at it and was relieved to see that he was working mostly days so he was free to spend time with his girl.
"I take it that you have a girlfriend judging by that look of relief on your face."
"Yes I do. It's hard to fit her in if we're always missing each other. So the day thing is your regular hours."
"it certainaly is but I'll be transferring to UCLA next semester because my scholarship came through."
"Well congratulations."
"Thanks. It'll be nice to get away from Sunnydale. So you'll be taking my hours which have been great since I'm able to study while things are slow."
"Well I've gotta go I'm planning a surprise for my girl. So I'll see you tomorrow."
Xander stopped for some donuts and next went to get some sandwiches. He put the food into the basket and swung by a drugstore to pick up some stuff.
"OK now all I got to do it get my girl."
He looked in his trunk and found a blanket from the last time they'd all been at the beach. He pulled up outside the magic shop and went inside. Anya was helping a customer so he went over to the table and sat down until she was done. Anya loved the picnic and since it was a secluded area she was able to get many orgasms since Xander was a viking in the sack or in this case on the sand. As they were laying under the stars Xander's phone rang.
"Damn the inventor of those things."
"Don't answer it."
"An it could be important."
He pulled it out and flipped it open.
"Hello."
"Hey Xander sorry about bothering you but I really need you to come in like now."
"But my schedule is for days."
"I know but the night guy Eddie is in the hospital and since you're the new guy well you know how it is."
"Yeah sure Freddie I'll be there in about twenty minutes."
He hung up and put his phone back in his jacket pocket and started getting dressed.
"Well what's in twenty minutes?"
"Sorry An but I've got to fill in for the night guy."
"Why?"
"Well I'm the new guy and he's in the hospital."
"How rude of him to do this to me. He is totally ruining my night."
"An the guy's in the hospital."
"Well is he dying at least?"
"I don't know. Look An you know I need this job especially if I want to get out of the basement. Xander make money. Xander able to move out. Get new place make Anya happy."
"Ok go make money. You can drop me off at my place."
They packed up their stuff and left. After dropping Anya off he drove to the bowling alley where an ambulance was just taking off with sirens flashing obviously on the way to the hospital. Xander got out of the car and saw Freddie looking at the ambulance that was screaming into the night.
"Freddie what's going on?"
"You know the snack-bar girl Tina well she was attacked tonight. She was found badly beaten in the bathroom."
"Hey what about Eddie?"
"Same thing two days ago."
Xander just felt a shiver go through him and not in a good way.
"So are there any more people that got beaten?"
"Well yes but no one knows why or who is doing this? Oh we decided to close for the night well the police did to see if they could find any clues."
"Yeah and we all know what a fine job our police do," Xander said sarcastically. "Well I guess I'll go then."
"Yeah sorry about dragging you out here."
"No problem."
Xander got into the car and wondered why no one mentioned Eddie before since he had started working there after Eddie was beaten. He decided that this was probably a Slayer thing so he decided to go see Buffy. He knocked on the door and heard a just a minute. Willow answered the door licking chocolate off her fingers.
"Want some Smores?"
"Ooh! No later do you know where Buffy is?"
"I'm in here."
The door of Buffy's closet was open so he hadn't noticed she was in there.
"Good you're here. I think something strange is going on at the bowling alley."
Buffy pulled out two skirts and showed them to Willow first raising one then the other. Willow pointed to the one on the left since it was a perfect match to her new peasant top.
"Ok bowling alley big trouble need Slayer now."
"Ok don't get your panties in a twist."
"Hey I don't wear panties. I wear manly boxers. Anyway I think is a little more important than picking out an outfit."
"I have a date with Riley so spill already. Well..."
At this point there was a knock on the door. Willow who was standing closest to the door went over to it and opened it and let Riley in.
"Excuse me but potential sitch of the dire here."
"Oh are you talking about the beatings at the bowling alley."
"Oh great I come over to tell you and Captain Commando steals my thunder."
"Xander isn't that where your new job is?"
"It certainly is and at this rate it may be the winner for shortest time worked there."
Buffy looked at Xander and asked, "So what do you know?"
"Well since I've started working there well the day before I started there have been two people beaten into a bloody pulp and oh yeah Freddie is the manager."
"Freddie as in the brutal reviews guy from high school?" asked Willow.
"The one and the same so anyway there was another attack tonight so get all stealthy since this might not be your run of the mill beatings. I think something is up since I'm all tingly and not in a good way."
"Well guys go outside and I'll put on something stealthy so much for our date."
The two went outside and Buffy grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.
"So Will wanna come?"
Willow who was eating a Smores nodded and went off to change too.
"Ok boys let's go."
Since Xander had parked right outside they decided to take his car. Riley had been a little twitchy about Buffy's friends finding out about his secret but finally realized that he had nothing to worry about because they kept Buffy's secret. While they were in the car Riley filled them in on what he knew. They pulled up to the back of the building. Buffy got out and looked around front and saw a police car pulling away.
"Ok the cops are gone so let's take a looksie inside."
"Sure no problem I've got the key," said Xander jingling them in the air. Riley had been reaching for his master key but stopped when he saw Xander's key. He opened the door and walked inside.
"She was found in the bathroom. It's this way."
Buffy turned to Willow and said, "Feel like doing some hacking?"
"You know I'm so the net girl so need you really ask. Xand where is a computer?"
"There's one in that room behind the counter."
Xander led Buffy and Riley to the women's bathroom which had the light on that someone had forgot to turn off. Blood splattered the floor like it was a design. Buffy was grossed out by all the blood but that's one thing you get used to when you're the Slayer so it didn't affect her the way it would her friends. Xander was puking in a trashcan.
"Yikes I hope she's alive. So Riley why hasn't there been a stop to this? Haven't survivors been able to help in any way?"
"No they all claim not to remember a thing. The first victim was a Freddie Iverson."
"Really and it was here?"
"What do you know him?"
Xander had finished puking and had gotten himself a bottle of water and caught what Riley was saying.
"Yeah he's the manager. Ok I get beaten up and I stay at the place and yet more get beaten and I get promoted to manager so why do I stay?"
Riley was thinking about that and said, "It could be demonic. There is this clan of demons that attack every five years. They don't always kill but it's early yet since it's only been the three so far."
Willow had found some interesting stuff on the computer so she went over to the others who were sitting at the snack-bar talking.
"Hey guys. This whole thing of people getting beaten has been going on for the past two weeks. There was something else but I haven't been able to hack into it but I'll keep trying so it's just a mater of time."
Turning Xander she said, "Do you think anyone would notice if I had a drink?"
"Ooh Willow you're quite the outlaw. I doubt anyone will notice as far as I know there isn't anyone going around keeping track of how much soda there is to the last drop."
"Ok then. Do so does anyone else care to join me in some petty larceny?"
Everyone else said no so he went with Will and they both helped themselves to Cokes. Willow walked back to the computer and started tapping on the keys. Finally after what seemed an eternity she found what she was looking for and after bursting into geeker joy she pulled herself together and went to join the others.
"I take it from that squeal you found something."
"Darn tootin' Xander. It turns out that the owner is in some serious trouble since he stole a transdimensional device. So the beatings will continue and will get worse unless it's returned."
"Got any idea where he hid it Will?" asked Buffy.
"Well I remember reading about this spell that will reveal things that have been hidden by magicks. So I guess we'll need to get Giles."
"Will do you have any idea where it could be hidden like here at the bowling alley maybe."
"Well I looked up his address since he'd probably hide it there and the ones after him are targeting his business to get it back."
They left and went to see Giles. Buffy knocked on the door because the last time she'd just walked in she found something that she wanted to repress even though she didn't really see anything the mere thought of it just gave her the wig.
"Oh Buffy is everything all right?"
They all came in and he went to boil some water for tea. Buffy told him what was going on and Willow found the book with the spell. She took the book and started going through it. By the time Buffy filled Giles in Willow had found the spell.
"Here it is. Revealing what is unseen and hidden by magicks. It's in a weird language but..."
Giles took the book from her.
"Yes I'm familiar with this spell."
It was similar to a spell he'd used before just before he became Buffy's Watcher.
"So do we need to go over to this chap's house to do the spell or should we try the bowling alley first?"
Giles went to pour himself a cup of tea.
"We think the house is probably where it is."
"Yes I agree but the bowling alley would be worth checking out since anyone would presume it was the last place to look. I suggest we go there first and go from there." "What does this dimensional thingie do?" asked Xander.
"Well it's an object of great power that allows the user to travel through dimensions. You can even alter realities but this chap hasn't figured that out yet. It's quite dangerous so we must retrieve it."
As usual while Giles was talking he started cleaning his glasses. Giles took the book and drove over in his car with Willow while the others went with Xander and drove over to the bowling alley. They parked in the back and went in the same way as before. Giles decided to try the area where the lanes were.
He stood before one and chanted the incantation and threw some herbs while saying "Vongai tretor vinetor polluso revealum ostus!"
Nothing happened so he moved over to the next and tried again. When he reached the second to last lane there was crackling and sparks in the air after he said the spell and there was this silvery pole suspended above the lane. Giles reached for it and took hold of it.
"Yes this is it all right."
"Wow that is so cool. I could totally hide my dirty laundry away. Ok I'm shutting up now."
Xander pulled up a chair and sat down.
"So Giles what do we do with this thing now?" asked Buffy.
"Well I suppose we give it back to the owners."
"Are they the good guys?"
At that point there was a burst of light and crackles shot through the air and a portal opened. Two hooded figures came out and one of them pointed to Giles who was holding the device.
"Oh right this would be yours right. If I'm not mistake you would be the Guardians right?"
"Yes you are correct. We thank you for finding our device now hand it over please. We have no wish to hurt you people. We only want back what is ours."
Giles walked over to the two and gave it to them.
"Now I suggest you all leave while we finish what we came here to do."
"Come on let's go."
Giles walked out along with the others. When they were outside there was a bright flash of light and the building disappeared.
"Well there goes another job down the drain or should I say down the ground. Think I'll get paid for the hours that I did work?"
Willow patted him on the shoulder and they all headed back to the cars and went home. Xander was thinking how he'd have to look for yet another job in the morning. He went to his basement and the second his head hit the pillow he fell asleep even though his parents were arguing about something yet again.
By Barbara Desmond