Seymour smirked and replied, “I guess you could call it that.  I
prefer calling it a double shift.  I get more sympathy that way.”

Joining the conversation, Dana inquired, “Double shift?  How come?”

Forming his fingers into quotation marks and leaning forward conspiratorially, he whispered, “The great Marina debacle.”

Dana and Alice glanced at each quizzically.  Noting their expressions, Seymour asked in disbelief, “You two haven’t heard?”

“Heard what?” Alice inquired.

“You’re serious?” Seymour incredulously asked.

“Seymour!” Dana pleaded.

“Okay okay.” He quickly glanced at the front counter ensuring no long
lines had formed.  Satisfied, he grabbed a nearby chair and
swiveled it around, sitting himself down in reverse.

Pausing for dramatic effect, Seymour finally spilled it out, “Marina
flew the coop.  Gone.  Vanished.  Pppffftttt.”

Both girls stared at the ponytailed surfer in shock.  Alice was
the first to recover.  “No way.  We would have heard.”

Seymour smirked as he replied, “Apparently you aren’t up on all the gossip like you thought.”

Alice huffed and shook her head in disbelief.  Seymour quickly
continued,  “Alice… that’s why I’m working a double shift. 
A bunch of the staff quit after Marina abandoned us.  Me and a few
devoted ones are picking up the slack.”

He went on more emphatically, “Marina left the country three days ago
with that red head who owned part of this place, and then they sold it
to some secret, mysterious buyer.”  

Talking to himself aloud, he muttered, “What was that red head’s name?  Francis? Frenchie?”

“Francesca?” Alice suggested.

Seymour snapped his fingers and pointed at Alice excitedly, “That’s it.  Francesca!  Yep.”

The sudden realization hit Alice and Dana simultaneously.

“Holy *****.” Alice remarked.

“She didn’t even say good-bye.” Dana added.

“Tell me about it.” Seymour responded angrily. “Three long years I worked for her, and nothing.”

“What’s going to happen to the Planet?” Alice inquired with worry.

Shrugging dejectedly, Seymour answered, “Your guess is as good as
mine.” He sighed, “It’s a shame.  I ***** love this
place.”  He paused while seemingly replaying all of his Planet
memories through his mind.  

Abruptly curing himself of his pensiveness, Seymour jumped from his
chair and said, “Well, back to work.  You two want anything while
I’m here?”

Too stunned to speak, both girls shook their heads quietly.

Seymour took in the girls’ astonishment and said apologetically, “Sorry
to be the bearer of bad news.  I thought for sure you knew.” 
He paused to glance at both girls one last time, and then slouched away
towards the front counter.