Seungcheol:

Seungcheol knocked on the door of the room that had been rarely occupied all year.

Behind the door he could hear a voice invite him in. Getting the green light, Seungcheol enters and nods to the man sitting behind a desk.

‘Please, take a seat,’ the man said to Seungcheol.

‘Thank you,’ Seungcheol said as he maneuvered to sit in the chair opposite the man.

There was a moment of silence as both men gathered themselves up, and the man finally started their conversation. ‘I am aware I’m not around that much. So let me introduce myself. The name is Doogi Pd. I’m going to be giving you your review today, and yes there will be a raise as well.’

Something sparked in Seungcheol yet he kept his composure. He had been wondering if this day would ever come. Quietly, Seungcheol waited to hear what Doogi Pd had to say.

Flipping through some papers, Doogi Pd started, ‘It says here you put the fear in everyone, making sure they all do their jobs right. And hey that’s not all that bad. You also sometimes start rap competitions with the other workers. Which I’m kind of surprised, cause you don’t seem like the type, but you know what it’s okay. But other than all that, you work hard, you never give up, and I honestly think this store has gotten better since you’ve joined. So, you’ll be getting a dollar raise.’

Seungcheol couldn’t believe it. He didn’t know what to say. Most of what was said was pretty ridiculous for a review, but he had gotten a raise out of it.

‘Thank you, thank you,’ Seungcheol said, exhaling the breath he had been holding in.

Doogi Pd smiled at Seungcheol and said, ‘If you keep this up, you’ll go pretty far in this industry.’

Those words struck something in Seungcheol, did he really want to be stuck as a barista slash salesperson for a bookstore slash baker?

Jeonghan:

‘I’m sure you’ve heard we will be doing reviews today,’ Doogi Pd said to a sitting Jeonghan.

Jeonghan nodded with a smile on his face, ‘Yes, there had been rumors for awhile now that a real manager was going to be coming in for reviews. I’m surprised it’s actually happening.’

‘I’ve heard rumors of you too,’ Doogi Pd said back, ‘You’ve been capturing the hearts of not only young girls and boys, but also the older generations as well. I don’t care what comes out of your mouth, as long as you smile as you do it. Other than that, you’re doing the job right. There’s no complaints from anyone.’

A smirk was found on Jeonghan’s lips, and Doogi Pd didn’t want to know what it meant. And Jeonghan didn't want to tell him either, cause the manager didn't need to know he had gone round to the members making sure they wouldn't say anything bad about him.

‘That’s good to hear,’ Jeonghan said.

Doogi Pd nodded, ‘We’ve gone through everything. All I have to say is, you’ve gotten yourself a dollar raise.’

Joshua:

‘Joshua, please, have a seat,’ Doogi Pd said as Joshua entered the room.

‘Thank you, Doogi Pd,’ Joshua said as he moved to sit in the seat. His heartbeat had been racing the whole day as soon as he had heard about the reviews. Joshua knows he does a good job, but he can’t help but think of all the possible things he has done wrong. He knows Doogi Pd is here to nitpick all his flaws over the last year.

Doogi Pd didn’t wait to start, going right into it. ‘Despite all the rumors of you nagging every moment of the day to make sure everything is going right, I like your work ethics. You’re nice to the others, you’re nice to the customers, and you are perfect in your job. I have nothing bad to say, you’ve been the perfect gentleman.’

Finally there was a small smile on Joshua. He deeply inhaled and breathed right again. Of course there was nothing to worry about. He knew he nagged a lot, he couldn't help it. But he also knew he did his job right.

‘So,’ Doogi Pd continued, ‘You’ll be getting a dollar raise.’

Jun:

Jun swooped in and gracefully sat down in the chair. Doogi Pd leaned back, caught in surprise at the charisma overflowing from Jun. Jun tilted his head and placed v made with his thumb and pointer finger under his chin.

‘I’m here to get my review,’ Jun said calmly, winking at Doogi Pd.

“Ah, Jun,’ Doogi Pd said, guessing who was sitting in front of him. ‘I’ve heard that you were quite particular. Which I definitely like. You’re confident.’

Jun flicked his hair back and said, ‘Of course I’m confident. Who wouldn’t be, especially with a face like mine.’

Doogi Pd’s eyes widen with shock, yet he nodded. ‘Of course. It reads here that you excel in all areas of the store. No one has complaints about anything. You show up on time, you dress appropriately, you treat customers and members well, you do your work tasks on a timely manner. Everything is great. You’ll be getting a dollar raise.’

‘Thank you,’ Jun said, standing up with a flourish. Clapping his heels together, he bows to Doogi Pd and gives the man his killer smile. ‘Good day.’

Soonyoung:

Without Doogi Pd even asking Soonyoung to sit down, the boy walked in and seating himself across from him.

‘Let’s hear it than,’ Soonyoung said.

Doogi Pd smiled and nodded, ‘I’ve been waiting to meet you. The infamous storyteller of our cafe. You have no idea how many people talk about your stories before they talk about our coffee, pastries, or books.’

Soonyoung scrunched his face and smiled, ‘But I do know. Why else do you think I tell them all the time. You should know that I take pride in my work.’

‘And you’ve done a lot for your job at the store too. It seems your friends keep you in order, but you do do pretty well on your own as well. So despite all the rumors and tales, you’ve still got the job. Everything looks good here. You’ll be getting a dollar raise.’

Wonwoo:

After Wonwoo had been asked to sit, Doogi Pd couldn't help but smile and stare at Wonwoo. Wonwoo wanted to glare back and ask what was wrong, but he just sighed and waited it out.

‘So you’re Wonwoo,’ Doogi Pd said.

Wonwoo side glanced to the floor, and nodded, ‘That is me.’

With a sparkle in his eye, Doogi Pd went on, ‘Believe it or not, but most of our reviews are about you. How you are the best sales clerk here to help people find books. I don't even care that you read throughout the whole day, you’re doing a fantastic job. You’re getting a dollar raise.’

Wonwoo didn’t wait to be let out. He had to stop reading to come for this review, and he was itching to go back to his book.

Jihoon:

Jihoon didn’t want to admit it, but he knew he was in for a good review. He had done the same amazing job as always. Even going above and beyond some of his job descriptions just to make customers happy.

He simply sat down in the manager’s office when he was called in and waited for the results.

Doogi Pd was flipping through some papers, stopping to read small parts of what was written. When he was satisfied with what he had read, he looked up to Jihoon to study him.

‘Jihoon, out of all the people I’ve met with so far, you are by far the most normal.’

Jihoon couldn’t help but nod along, knowing fully well what Doogi Pd meant.

‘So I won’t mention your work ethics. You, I’m sure, already know how amazingly well you do on a daily basis. At the moment, I am only going to comment on how you’re a bit quiet, more even so than Wonwoo. I know you treat the customers well enough, but I can only hope you open up more just in general. Take your time though, there is no rush.’

A cold rush flows through Jihoon’s body. Of course the man had to mention his quietness. He works with customers and as a team with others, he has to at least try to communicate. He feels embarrassed at the talk of his flaws.

And as if Doogi Pd could detect it, he said, ‘I do believe it could help you, even if not for the job. Just take it one day at a time. Have small conversations if possible. We have a lot of friendly people who work here. I’m sure any of them would love to chat with you every now and then when you’re on break or if work is slow.’

Jihoon nodded in understanding.

Doogi Pd nodded as well, ‘There isn’t much else to say. You’ll be getting a dollar raise.’