I work at a video rental store

Redbox and streaming services have really destroyed video rental stores. Don't you remember the good ole days when you could go to Blockbuster and get a movie to watch? I do too. Part of me misses the nostalgic feeling of leaving a basketball game when I was in Elementary school and my dad walking me in our local video store and getting to grab a Goosebumps VHS tape.
That store was perfect for me. It felt like I was royalty walking in and getting to choose whatever I wanted. And that store had it all. I remember the big, hairy man that always wore no shoes and a t shirt that said "Boobies make me smile." Sometimes he'd give me a free candy bar or popcorn.
I've followed this Forum Section for quite sometime now and I see it's a place where people post their real stories. I figured this would be the perfect place to share my stories as well. That and my therapist said writing things down helps.
As the title says, I work at a video rental store. It's a locally owned one in a small town. Business seems to be pretty steady and what's funny is we haven't had "new stock" in easily fifteen years or so. The townsfolk around here still use their VHS players and we have some DVDs.
I got a lot of things to share so hopefully I'll get around to sharing them all eventually. The owner warned me on day one that this place is odd. Sometimes it messes with your head. I guess sharing my first story would be the best.
It was my second week on the job and I was by myself. The first week I was basically job shadowing. I remember it all so perfectly too.
Some boys probably around twelve or so were renting "Killer Klowns from Outer Space." You could see how excited they were and the father that was with them asked what kind of pizza they wanted. I remember thinking how cool it was to see some kids wanting to watch something "retro."
I glanced down at a list that was taped on the counter, near the register where customers couldn't see.
Rule 1: clean the employee bathroom before you leave.
Rule 2: keep the store clean.
Rule 3: put a movie on the television before you leave. It is very important you do. Failing to do such can result in termination.
Rule 4: If a man in overalls comes in and wants to rent a horror movie, deny him service and ask him to leave.
Rule 5. Set alarms when leaving.
"Scotty, why do I have to leave a movie on."
"The ghosts get bored." He responded when I asked him on my first day. I figured he was joking. Before I could ask him about a man in overalls he took a phone call.
I found it strange how we didn't get new movies or anything either and how this place stays afloat. The town just seems odd.
I grabbed a copy of Nightmare on Elm Street and went to clean the bathrooms as the shift was over. Then I noticed a real bad smell.
It was putrid. Like meat gone bad or rotting eggs, like sulfur. I followed the smell and seen bloody footprints. Then I witnessed a woman completely naked covered in wounds.
But she seemed calm. She was glancing at movies and arranging some things. I wanted to ask her if she was okay but my body felt paralyzed in shock.
The smell was so foul that I put my shirt over my nose. I glanced at her again and a rat began crawling out of her back. I began gagging so hard to the point I was bent over. By the time I stood up her eyes were contact with mine and she wasnt even a foot away from me.
"GET OUT!" She screeched at me and it knocked me down.she crawled on top of me and kept screaming to get out over and over again.
I tried pushing her but my hands were pushing into her decaying body. I began crying and begged her to leave. She was gone.
I sprinted out of the store and sped home. I had to to quit the job. I spent hours cleaning the blood out of my clothes and off my skin. I didn't sleep an hour that night at best.
Lunch came around and Scott called me.
"You didn't lock the damn door. You're lucky no one broke in."
"A woman attacked me in there last night. I'm lucky to be alive."
"Come to the store NOW."
I pulled in the store and Scott was sitting in his office with two cups of coffee. Next to the coffee was a half empty whiskey bottle.
He lit a cigarette and pointed at a screen.
"Here you are falling down and screaming. Tell me were was it who attacked you."
"Scott, I-"
"This place messes with you. Look, I understand if you don't want to work here."
I really wanted to quit. But I just couldn't and I didn't know why. I asked him about a rule.
"Why can't I rent a horror movie to a man in overalls?"
"Okay..okay. you deserve an explanation I guess." He puffed out some smoke. "It's not just any ole Joe who wheres overalls. I mean we're in the middle of nowhere. Theres a man your guaranteed to see. Big ole fella, big belly, smokey grey beard, wears a straw hat. No one else besides employees have ever seen him, so if a farmer or someone tries to get any other kind of movie besides horror, it's not him.
But if I were you, I wouldn't risk anyone wearing overalls getting a scary movie. I'd say the register is broken or some kind of lie. But the person who attacked you last night was an employee.
She didn't listen to the rule. He must have been cunning, persistent, or demanding. But they found her body in the woods behind this place. Police said it was the most brutal attack they have ever seen. They never reported it for only God knows why."
He sipped at his coffee and pointed at mine. "If you ever get brave enough, I got the tape in my drawer and you're welcome to see for yourself."
He patted me on the back after pushing his cigarette into his ash tray.
"You'll be alright, pal. Follow the rules and you'll be okay. You can quit if you want."


Source.