My Seven Deadly Stories

George - Part One

George sat at his desk staring blankly at the computer screen. His stomach growled loudly, bringing him back to the present. He glanced at his phone to check the time. It had been two hours since lunchtime. He was starving.
George pushed his chair back and opened the side drawer of his desk. On top of his files was a giant bag of cheesy puffs. He shoved his large hand into the bag and brought up a handful of puffs to his mouth, munching loudly with his mouth open.
Maryanne walked past his desk and dropped a small stack of papers on the edge. "Hey George, Mr. Walker needs these finalized by the end of today." She then gave him a smile and walked off.
George watched her until she disappeared inside the elevator. He wondered to himself how he could ever get a woman like that. She was very attractive in those tight skirts she wore around the office.
George even moved into his own small apartment in the hopes that it might improve his social life. Women were seldom impressed once they found out he still lived with his mother. He had his own room in the basement, but that didn't seem to matter.
Pushing those thoughts aside, George stuffed another handful of cheesy puffs into his mouth, guzzled down some soda and got back to work. Not wanting to stay late, he had to finish the reports in a hurry, furiously attacking the keyboard with his fat, greasy, cheesy dusted, orange fingers.
It seemed like an eternity, starving as he was, until it was time to get off. George decided he would treat himself this day and go out to eat at Friendly Buffet. Buffet's were his absolute favorite. He could eat as much as he liked. Nothing gave him more pleasure.
George felt a rush of excitement as he pulled into the parking lot and rolled to a stop underneath the light of the Friendly Buffet's neon sign. He felt elated as he hurried inside to claim a seat. After ordering his drink, he proceeded to pile up plate after plate of everything the buffet had to offer, frequently flagging his waitress to refill his glass to wash it all down.
George felt himself slowing down and decided he should take a break. He got up from the table and headed to the restroom. On the way, he saw wait staff bringing out new platters of prime rib and pork chops and his mouth began to water. Once inside the restroom, George waited until he was the only person left and proceeded to jam his fingers down his throat. He had to make room so he could eat some more food. All he could think about was the glistening juices of the meat and how satisfying it will taste as he gagged on his own hand, bringing up what he just ate. Satisfied, he returned to his table and revisited the buffet lines with renewed vigor. Determined to eat all he could and try a bit of everything. Before he knew it, he'd spent six hours there and it was now closing time.
The waitress gave him a long look as she brought his change back to the table. Feeling too stuffed to move at the moment, George just sat there sipping his tea while he watched the workers bustling to clean up for the day.
George shuffled out to his car and sat for a while, not yet wanting to go back to his dreary apartment. He waited and watched while all the other cars left the parking lot and the big neon sign went dark. There was one other car left in the lot and they seemed to be having car trouble. George's father was a hard working mechanic in his day so George knew just a little about vehicles. George unbuckled his seatbelt and waddled across the pavement to the other car.
Grace getting flustered, tried the ignition one last time with no success. After the stressful day she had, this just took the cake. Frustrated and feeling the lump of tears beginning in her throat, Grace pressed her head against the steering wheel.
George sidled up to the car and tapped lightly on the window.
Grace jumped at the sound. She hadn't noticed anyone else nearby. Unsure, Grace slowly rolled down the window.
George began, "Sorry to bother you, but I thought you could use a hand? I have jumper cables in my trunk."

Grace smiled up at the bear of a man with genuine relief. "Yes, thank you. I don't know why it's not starting."
"No worries ma'am. I can get it going." George assured the woman.

Grace got out of her vehicle and lit a cigarette while she watched the man working to get it started. He seemed like a nice person. Grace had spent several years waitressing which she seemed to think made her a good judge of character. He was overweight to be sure, and somewhat unkempt but he had kind eyes. After several minutes she heard the engine turn over.
George wrapped up his cords and put them away in the back of his car.
Grace dropped her cigarette butt on the concrete and mashed it with her shoe. She walked around the side of her car to thank the man. "Thank you so much! I'm sure glad you happened to be here. My name is Grace." She pointed to the nametag on her blouse and gave her winningest smile.
"I'm George. Glad I could help." George said and gave an awkward smile in return. "Have a good night ma'am."
George turned to leave.