Bobby is a 12-year-old boy living in the town of Paintbrush Falls, New York. When the novel opens, Bobby has just begun his new job as a tie salesman at Awkworth & Ames Department Store. Despite being so young, Bobby was able to get the job as a tie salesman in part because his father used to work for the department store. Bobby sees his friend, Skeezie Tookis, walking toward him through the department store. Bobby is nervous because his boss, Mr. Kellerman, whom some people call “Killer Man” (2) is watching, and Skeezie Tookis looks out of place in the upscale store. Mr. Kellerman is about to call security to remove Skeezie from the store when Bobby insists on speaking to Skeezie, explaining, “‘A customer waiting for assistance is a friend waiting to be made’” (5), a quote from the employee manual. Skeezie is upset that Bobby is working after school on a Friday, instead of meeting their group of friends at the Candy Kitchen, a local diner where they hang out every week. Bobby says maybe he can change his shift next Friday, but the boys overhear Mr. Kellerman respond, “‘Perhaps next Friday you will no longer be working here at all’” (9).