EL Camino — A Stanley Novel | Episode 3 🚗✨

February 2, 2025 📅
One week later.

Stanley and Jesse were standing near their car on a Denali mountain road in Alaska. They were looking at the massive snow-covered peak.
They came there to relax.
A cold wind was blowing and snow covered the mountains. Both were looking at the beautiful view quietly.

After a few seconds, Jesse spoke.

“Stanley… I found a job for you.”

Stanley looked at him.
“What job bro?”

Jesse replied,
“A job at North Star Grocery. Simple work. Job time is 9 AM to 5 PM.”

Stanley nodded.
“Okay bro.”

Jesse continued,
“The salary is around $16 per hour in Alaska. For 8 hours, you get $128 per day. For one month, it is around $2,500. In Indian money, that is around ₹2,07,000 per month.”

Stanley looked surprised.
“Oh! This much?”

Jesse laughed.
“Yeah bro. But the cost of living in Alaska is also high.”

Stanley smiled.
“Okay. I will do the job.”

February 3, 2025 — Morning 🌅

Stanley woke up early and got ready for work. Jesse also got ready.
Before leaving, Jesse said,
“Stanley, don’t worry about transport. I will pick you up and drop you off daily.”

Stanley nodded.
“Thanks bro.”

Both went to the car.
After some time, they reached North Star Grocery.

Stanley got down, and Jesse drove away for his delivery work.
Inside the Supermarket 🏪

Stanley entered the store.

The supermarket was quiet. There were a few shelves and a few products.
A lady was standing near the billing counter.

She looked at Stanley and say.
“Who are you?”

Stanley replied,
“I am Stanley. The new employee. Jesse mentioned me.”

The lady nodded.
“Oh yes. Stanley.”

She smiled slightly.
“My name is Allen. I have owned this store for 18 years.”

Stanley nodded.
Allen continued,
“You need to take care of this store. Sometimes you will feel bored here, but just adjust to it. This store usually has small crowds, but those customers are very important.”

Stanley listened carefully.

Allen added,
“Sometimes my daughter will come here to check the store. And sometimes delivery guys will come with products. When they come, check the items and receive them properly. And keep everything clean and neat.”

She smiled.
“Okay Stanley. Take care. All the best.”

Stanley nodded.
“Okay.”

Allen walked into the storeroom.
Stanley stood quietly near the billing counter.
His first work day had started.

At the Same Time 🚗

Jesse reached a restaurant.
He went inside to pick up a food delivery.
Some guys near the entrance saw him.

One of them asked,
“Hey Jesse… where were you these days?”

Jesse replied,
“Vacation with my longtime best friend, bro.”

Another guy asked,
“Are you still driving for delivery across Alaska in your car?”

Jesse nodded.
“Yeah.”

He collected the food packet.
Then he went outside and entered his car.
Jesse started driving for deliveries.
His delivery list showed areas like Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Kenai, Kodiak, Sitka and Ketchikan.
Snow covered the roads.

The car moved slowly through the cold Alaska streets.

Inside the Quiet Supermarket

Stanley stood alone near the billing counter.
A young girl entered the store.

She spoke to Stanley.
“Can I get a job here?”

Stanley looked at her.

The girl continued,
“My name is Rechal. My parents died in an accident. I am searching for a job to survive.”

Stanley did not know what to do.

After thinking for a moment, he replied,
“I also joined today. But if you're okay… you can be my assistant.”

Rechal smiled mysteriously.
“Oh, assistant for you? Hmm, okay.”

Stanley asked her to mop the floor. Meanwhile, he started arranging the products on the shelves.

During the afternoon, some customers came.
They bought juice, snacks, and other items.

The day passed quietly.
As evening approached, the supermarket slowly became empty.

Rechal finished her work and left for home.
After some time, Allen arrived at the store.
She checked everything inside the supermarket, locked the door, and took the keys with her.

A few minutes later,
Jesse arrived with his car to pick up Stanley.
Stanley got into the car, and both of them went home.

Jesse asked,
“How was day one at work?”

Stanley replied,
“Work was good. Sometimes boring when there are no people, but I like the job.”

Jesse laughed.
“The first time it will feel like that. Later you will get used to it.”

Stanley smiled and nodded.
After dinner, both went to their rooms and slept.

Next Day — February 4, 2025 🌅

The next morning, Jesse dropped Stanley at North Star Grocery.
Stanley entered the store.

Allen was already there.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Stanley replied.

Allen said,
“Yesterday my daughter came to the store. You were talking with a girl without noticing customers.”

Stanley quickly replied,
“No ma’am. She asked for a job because her parents died in an accident. So I allowed her to help me. If I get my salary, I planned to give half to her. Her name is Rechal.”

Allen smiled slightly.
“How dare you keep my daughter as your assistant?”

Stanley was confused.
“Sorry ma’am, I don’t understand.”

Allen smiled.
“See, she is standing behind you.”

Stanley turned around.
He was shocked.
Rechal was standing behind him quietly.
Stanley looked confused.

Allen laughed.
“She is my daughter, Rechal.” 😄

Stanley felt embarrassed.
“Sorry ma’am… I didn’t know.”

Allen smiled.
“It’s okay. She is a playful girl. From now on, Rechal will also look after the supermarket. Both of you support each other.”

Allen waved goodbye and left.
Stanley and Rechal looked at each other for a few seconds.

Rechal said,
“Sorry, it’s my mistake. I feel guilty for playing a prank on you. I'm extremely Sorry.” 

Stanley paused for a second and smiled.
“No, actually I should say sorry because I made you mop the floor.”

Rechal laughed.
“Yeah, just leave it. Let’s get to work.”

Stanley replied,
“Hmm, okay ma’am.”

Rechal frowned.
“Excuse me, what did you say?”

Stanley repeated,
“Okay ma’am.”

Rechal asked,
“Do I look older than you?”

Stanley replied,
“No.”

Rechal smiled.
“Then why are you saying ‘Ma’am’? Just call me by my name.”

Stanley said,
“No, actually you are the boss’s daughter and I am an employee.”

Rechal replied,
“Other than that, I am also the same age as you — 23. You are also 23, right?”

Stanley nodded.
“Yes, I am also 23, but…”

Rechal leaned forward slightly and smiled.
“Then what? Say my name.”

Stanley looked a little nervous, shy smile. 
“Okay… Rechal.”

Rechal smiled with satisfaction.
“Hmm… that’s better.”

She nodded toward the shelves.
“Now come on, let’s get back to work.”

Stanley nodded and turned toward the shelves.
“Okay… Rechal.”

He began arranging the products carefully on the shelves 📦.
Rechal walked to the billing counter, sat down and opened the store's ledger to begin the accounting for the day.✍🏽

A few minutes later, some customers entered the store, bought juice, snacks, and left.

After the customers left, the supermarket became quiet again.

Stanley walked toward the counter to pick up some products.

Rechal sat there writing, but she slowly looked up 👀 and watched him quietly.
Stanley picked up the items and began walking toward the shelves.

As he turned his back, he gave a small shy smile 😊 — showing that he noticed she was watching him and smiled.

Stanley began placing the products on the shelves one by one.

After a quiet moment inside the store, a few customers entered the supermarket to buy snacks and other items 🛒.

They paid at the counter and slowly walked out 🚪.

Outside North Star Grocery, the cold Alaska noon continued as people walked by, birds flew across the sky, and cars moved along the road ❄️🚗🐦.

To Be Continued… 🎬

Story & Created by
Salomon Raj ✍️