“What about a commercial universe where all the cereal characters interact with each other? I am talking a WHOLE story line! Running narrative and everything!”

Evan didn’t stop stocking shelves, just let out a sigh. He was too hungover for this, and honestly, the fact that Dallas had been out drinking too made him all the madder.

But there was such genuine fascination in Dallas’ voice that he could not help but engage.

“Who is asking for this?” said Evan, putting the last Capn’ Crunch on the shelf.

“Who was asking for Pirates of the Caribbean?” responded Dallas.

“Or Transformers?” he added with more gusto, looking at his friend from up on the red Hannaford ladder.

Evan shrugged. He had a point about Transformers.

“Alright, but these are commercials, not movie franchises,” said Evan, angry that he could feel his skepticism evaporating with every word.

“Think of the Marvel end credit scenes,” said Dallas, sensing his opening, “right? Those were never anything before Marvel, but eventually they became almost a bigger pull than some of the movies. Why? Because it linked everything. Everyone wants to be in the know!”

“The know about cereal brands though?” Evan said, a last-ditch effort to stop his friend’s unbreakable positivity.

“I mean, we all have to watch commercials, right? Why not pitch your brand and tell a story? It’s the final frontier–the last unconquered avenue of storytelling.”

Dallas was descending the ladder now, ready to stock the next shelf with Honey Bunches of Oats.

“Bro, I didn’t get you this job so you could talk my ear off while I’m hungover,” said Evan.

Then, feeling he may have sounded a bit too annoyed for his oversensitive friend, he put on his most motherly voice, adding, “I brought you into this store and, god damn it, I can take you out!”

“Whatever,” said Dallas, hurt in his voice, “let’s just get this done then.”

They were quiet for a moment, long enough for Evan to realize that quiet was not what he needed to get through this head-pulsing day.

“Hey, Hey, Dal look,” said Evan, working to get his best friend’s attention.

Dallas waited, then turned to Evan, trying his best to give a stern look.

“I bet Count Chocula would be the villain of the CBU. You know, Cereal Brand Universe. He’d probably be trying to keep all the chocolatey goodness for his cereal and not share with Snap, Crackle, and Pop or something like that.”

Evan tried to make the same toothy grin as Count Chocula while holding the box next to his face.

Dallas sighed, his stern look dissolving to a smile.

“That’s fine, but Lucky the Leprechaun would be the main hero of the story,” he said with a laugh, “That is nonnegotiable.”