There wasn't a better time to do this than today.
Greg eagerly ran about the Magic Shop, cleaning some of the clutter and minor spills from the potions inhabiting the shelves. Working as an apprentice for the town sorcerer may not have been the most glamorous of job titles, but Greg knew there was a reason he'd signed up for the low pay and gruelling hours.
His mentor, Avad the Magnificent, had finally left the store under his care for the first time in 3 years. Avad had serious business somewhere in South Africa and would be gone for a week or more. Something about saving the world from an evil tyrant? It didn't concern Greg, all he heard was that the shop was his. It's the moment he'd been waiting years for.
That's not to say that Greg didn't respect Avad, however. There were 3 rules he was entrusted with while Avad was away and if Greg wanted to one day become a sorcerer of his own, he knew that following the rules were priority number 1.... Even if he didn't like them all.
RULE 1: Maintain the shop's cleanliness and regular hours. That was easy. The shop, Avad's Mysterium, was almost always dead and only open for about 5 hours a day anyway. Greg was only cleaning now because Avad's colleagues had come through just moments ago while picking the Sorcerer up.
RULE 2: Keep the live animals fed, groomed, and happy. Avad kept several specimens in the basement for experimentation, only about 5 or so. This task wouldn't have been too hard if he didn't have to deal with Deathcap, the Gorilla. That was the only animal Greg couldn't connect with. Avad always handled the care of Deathcap, Greg just kept his distance for fear of losing a limb. He'll have to confront that fear particularly soon though.... But not right now.
Finally... RULE 3: Under any circumstances are you allowed to use anything from Avad's personal stash. This rule sucked the most. In Greg's excitement to test the limits of his powers, he couldn't help but eye the potential potions and spells hidden in Avad's stash. The stash, a large bureau in the far corner of the basement lab, was locked with both a combination lock and a magical seal. Sure, Greg knew how to break both, but there wasn't a point in pissing off Avad. He might be a bit of a dick, but he was the only person who saw something in Greg. So, despite how tempting that bureau may be, Greg knows to stay away. Besides, there's an entire store of goodies he could use instead!
Finishing his cleaning, Greg looks at his cell phone to check the time. The clock reads 4:47pm, only 13 minutes till close. Perfect. Greg returns to the main desk at the front of the store and goes over his plan for experimentation one more time.