RETAIL - Jess Hale

Retail is a bitch. And the only ones who can truly understand are those who have dedicated their entire lives to retail-who have fallen victim to corporate manipulation, who have given up everything just to be accepted into its fold. Lucille Jones, a nineteen-year-old college dropout trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life, must navigate young adulthood while surviving in a less-than-perfect home. As she struggles to feel accepted in her own home, she begins her first part-time job in retail. Instantly, she is overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations and impossible demands that slowly take a toll on her body and mind.

Without Lucy realizing, retail becomes her crutch, her escape, and an excuse to hide from the problems arising in her life. Her job is always there for her, her safety net when she falls. Regardless of the stress and annoyances of her daily routines, her job never abandons her. It is permanent. However, if Lucy isn't careful, retail will consume her, and pull her away from her family and friends, and become her entire world, engulfing her in reports and sales and the unrelenting desire to become exceptional, if only to prove she was capable of something other than failure. So, if it were to suddenly be taken from her, and she was released from the routine that molded her life, the consequences could be dire, and Lucy may not survive the fallout. RETAIL is not just a story about the retail industry; it is a reflection on the human condition, the quest for identity, and the fight against the feeling of being replaceable. Lucy's journey resonates with anyone who has grappled with self-worth in a society that often measures value in superficial terms. This compelling narrative invites readers to reflect on their own lives, encouraging a deeper understanding of resilience and the importance of mental health awareness.