"Damn it Pali! Open this goddamn door! I'll throw you out if you can't pay up this time!"
A man was angrily knocking on my door. Fortunately, I do have enough rent money to pay him off this time.
I walked away from the window sill, where I usually watch people on the street pass by to tend to the man at the door.
"Pali I swear I'll bust this door down!"
I opened my door to be greeted with the angriest look a middle aged man could give.
"Sorry Mr. Rent guy! I was, um, attending to my flowers…"
"I couldn't give less of a shit what you were doing! I just want my money. And my name is Foros, call me some obnoxious name again and I'll raise the rent by 50%!"
I sighed in defeat. It looks like a few jokes doesn't work to cure everyone's anger.
I reluctantly handed him the small leather pouch with exactly thirty silver coins to Foros.
He began counting the coins one by one as he emptied the coins into a larger pouch on his waist.
His long black coat and his black hat that had a white feather of a goose sticking straight up from the band made him look like a pirate I've heard about in stories. Although, he may not be so far from being a pirate himself.
"...Twenty nine…thirty. Alright, looks like you have enough this time. But if next time you are even a minute overdue I will throw you out and beat you on the street!
Then I'll strip your clothes and post you on the fruit merchants wall so the children can throw whatever the hell they want at you, got it!?"
"Damn okay, I got it. I won't be late, just please don't strip me, I'm a little insecure…"
"Creepy bastard…"
Foros gave me a weird look and walked off. Who is he to call me a creepy bastard after threatening me like that!?
I waited for the clanking of his boots to disappear as he walked along the stone road.
'Bastard can't ruin my day, I won't let him!'
I closed the door and took the bread I was baking out of the oven. Since there are no such things as oven mitts yet, I used a dirty old cloth that I haven't been able to wash for a week to take it out, and let it cool on the window sill.
I always wanted to be a baker, although I was way too good at my current occupation to look for a real bakery. The smile on the faces of the ones who try my bread really brightens up my day.
Because of my constant need for ingredients, I ended up on really good terms with the merchants who sell the ingredients I need.
If I ever need a place to run to, they're the first ones I'll be thinking of.
Now that I think about it, I don't believe I have introduced myself yet.
The names Dokimazo Pali, and I live on my own in a small rental in Gaul, which would be called France in modern times.
I am a pretty well built man; don't mean to flex but I'm a good looking guy. I have short-ish black hair, short enough to style it the way I like but not too short that it looks like I waxed it yesterday.
I also have a type of heterochromia, a light green on the outside and the colour darkens as it gets closer to my pupil before becoming black.
Once the bread finished cooling off, I grabbed the bread before putting the baking tray back in the already cooled oven.
I then put my nice and not in the best condition boots on and headed on my way to work!
I found my usual spot by the fountain, drank my water in the cup I brought along with me, took a seat, then acted as miserable as I could.
Yeah, I am a beggar. Luckily for a bum like me, I look good and I exercise around noon, which is why I have a strong body. The people here are nice too, I even get donated to enough to rent a place for myself! Pretty cool, right?
The day went by without much trouble. I was about to grab my things and head home before I saw a really well dressed man headed right for me. There was a hint of excitement building in my heart.
"Good evening sir!"
I tried my best to put on the most sorry face and acted as miserable as I could.
"Oh, evenin' sir… Oh' Lord, what shall I do for a way out of my unemployment!"
It was worth a shot, he looked very well off and maybe I could get a job for once!
"Oh sir, well your prayer must have been heard loud and clear! I am in need of employees and nobody likes the line of work I offer…"
'Holy shit, it really worked!'
"Sir, I thank you! By the grace of god you have come upon me to bless me with my dearest wish! I would love to bake for you!"
"Uhm, sir… who said I was proposing an occupation as a baker…?"
I was caught up in my praises and laughter, which drowned out his voice of correction.
"Sir! I'm not making you a baker!"
He yelled quite fiercely for someone who was giving me a job.
"Hahaha! Wait what?"
"I said the job I'm proposing isn't one as a baker."
"It's not…?"
"No…"
'I can't let my day be ruined, not by some grave misfortune such as this one! But a job sounds nice so I'll just take whatever he wants to hire me for.'
"You have a deal!"
He looked at me with a dumbfounded look on his face, like I just said something completely stupid and didn't even know it.
"Sir, you don't know the job I am offering to you yet, are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
This was the most confident I have ever been in my whole life. This was my one chance at living a real life, one where I can be the best person I can be. I don't want to lose this chance to be a real person.
"Meet me by the post office at dawn, and I'll give you further instructions from there."
"You got it!"
The man gave a twisted smile before walking away. I was too enveloped in happiness and excitement to notice the foul grin he gave me.
I then picked up my cup and gallivanted back home while listening to the melodic jingle of the coins I earned.
I opened the door to my rental, took off my boots, then excitedly went to my bedroom, coins still in hand.
I placed the cup of coins on a stool made to act like a nightstand, and went to sleep without changing my clothes.
*****
The night receded, and dawn arose.
I was having trouble waking up until I remembered about the job I was given and hurriedly got out of my bed and ran to the door.
I made sure my boots were on right, and that I had the grey coat I only wore for special occasions, before leaving the life I once knew behind.
The dawn air was quite chilly, which was nothing abnormal. I buttoned up my coat and continued walking along the road while humming a tune a bard by the fountain usually played while I was still a beggar.
Before I knew it I made it to the post office, and the man who came to me yesterday was waiting next to an alleyway. He waved at me, with a large smile on his face, and I naturally did the same. I walked over before greeting him.
"Morning Mr. Job man!"
He let out a light chuckle. I guess he likes the nickname I gave him.
"Hehe, Good morning."
"I never expected that you'd have me working at the post office. That's quite a lot of money. Imagine how much bread I could bake with a job like this!"
"That's interesting, are you into baking?"
"Of course! If you told me to bake for a thousand people for free, I think I would do it!"
"That's quite an ambitious attitude my friend, follow me."
He waved his hand down the alleyway, signaling for me to follow behind. The alleyway was quite tight, I doubt two people could walk side by side without scratching against the stone bricks that lay beside, so I followed from behind.
We walked for roughly a minute before he stopped. I thought I heard the footsteps of a second person, but before I could turn around, I lost consciousness.