Page 72 of Fixate
I wanted to smack myself on the forehead for being so obvious. She didn't need to know that I had toys. That wasn't why I was here.
Thankfully, her smile didn't dim at my words. She seemed to relax a bit, if her lowered shoulders were any indication.
“I'm actually here because I wanted to ask you some questions if that's okay.”
She wiggled a bit as if getting comfortable, then pressed her hands onto the countertop.
"Yes, sir. I'm ready for your questions."
She was a cute young woman. The type that obviously charmed many customers. She would be great to teach the class if she was knowledgeable enough.
Or maybe just to give a sales pitch, and we could bring in someone more experienced.
My mind was already running away from me with ideas. I had to reign it in to actually explain what I wanted.
"Candice, how many people would you say come in and out of this place a day?"
She tapped her pointer finger on the counter.
“I don't work every shift, but I do help with end of day totals sometimes. I would guess somewhere around a thousand or so.”
My thoughts froze at her answer.
“Even with the shortened hours?”
She nodded quickly. "Yes, even with the shop not being open as long as other places, we still get a lot of customers. Some come in and get exactly what they want right away, and others shop for a bit.”
I pulled my phone out of my hand and began to take notes. This was exactly what I needed to know.
“Would you say most people who come in here know what they're looking for?”
"It depends," she answered. “A majority do, though there are quite a few that don't have a clue what they're looking for or what we even sell. A lot of newbies.”
I grinned, noting down her words.
"Newbies, huh? So would you say that they have lots of questions for you about the products and things we offer?”
I got another quick nod. “Absolutely. I would say a majority of the sales process is answering questions. Occasionally, we have to go a little more in depth, though usually it's just a few questions about products or if I've ever personally used it or known someone who’s used it. They prefer the customer testimonial experience.”
I raised a brow. “I was not aware that that was part of it. Does it ever feel invasive to have to share that with someone?”
She raised her hand and waved it in front of her face. “Not at all. I find it quite hilarious actually. Part of my role when I got hired here was to work on inventory. I learned what each product was and with my discount purchased a few. Since then, I have sampled just about everything here. I won't say that I share that with everyone, but since you're asking for research.”
I hummed. “Do you think people would enjoy an informational type of seminar about what we offer? The different toys and lubricants, things like that, maybe even a demonstration or two? Within reason, of course.”
Her eyes went wide as she clapped her hands decidedly. “I think that's brilliant. I can't tell you how many times I've had people look at something and go, "How does that go there?"” She laughed. “Genuinely, they're confused, and I don't blame them. Some of these things look like they're alien contraptions. Once you figure it out though, it's amazing.”
I grinned. “So informational talks and visuals would be good?”
“Yes, sir,” she confirmed once more.
“And do you think making it a regular thing would be good so that tourists of all kinds would come?”
She tapped her bottom lip as she took a second to think it over. “I would say that it's a good idea. I could see how some type of sexual education class would be good for people. When they come into the shop, they find out about it and get the chance to come. They can always opt out. No one says you have to attend, right? They can still buy something on their own.”
“Of course,” I rushed to say. “This would merely be something extra. For people who might be new to a certain lifestyle or curious.”
There had to be something about the way I said the last word that triggered her into understanding what I meant. Her mouth formed a small "O" as she slowly nodded her head.
