Friday, 19 June 2009
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New Story Series: Café au Life
So here's a new story I concocted that's been fermenting in my brain for a while. Hopefully it hasn't spoiled. Enjoy.
Wearied from the excitement of the world and it's promised diversions, filled with enjoyment that only becomes a delusion devoid of any such thing, I've come to realize there is more excitement and pleasure in the little things that life offers. A morning stroll in the park watching the birds, the children, the plants, and the sun suddenly light up; simple afternoon lunches with a good friend, back in town for the holidays; or an evening curled in a comfortable chair under the warm glow of a desk lamp while reading a good novel the second time around, discovering the secrets and hidden gems that the first journey through could not reveal, all simple joys that many of us enjoy but do not relish. There is beauty in the stark realities of life, no matter how saddening or elating they can be, and how they are presented to us, with grandeur or in raw simplicity.
Monday, January 17th
Today was my first day on the job at the Burnt Bean, which turns out to be a coffee shop that doesn't specialize in badly roasted coffee. It's a little bigger than quaint and has been around longer than that popular chain of coffee places that had become so popular. The tables and chairs of the shop seemed to have been taken from an antique store and placed haphazardly around. None of the chairs really matched. Some came in sets, such as four wooden chairs that are placed around the same wooden table, but some stand out of place. There is a rocking chair in a corner of the store, next to a small table where a lamp sat. On an opposite wall is a large easy chair that seems to be eternally dusty. I should probably ask a co-worker about the furniture someday, but it was my first day, I was terrified.
But the day wasn't nearly as boring as I thought it'd be. However, it wasn't all that exciting either. I got there early, about 5 am, to help open up shop and was there until after closing at eleven pm. I guess that's what full-time means. Nothing too difficult, just a matter of pressing buttons, looking up mixes and directions in the booklet near the drink station, trying not to scald yourself with hot water, being friendly, and trying your best not to curse as you go to the restroom to cool down your hand after scalding yourself with hot water.
What I find most interesting is the motley crew of customers that comes in. It was only my first day, but I could already tell which customers were the regulars. One of those regulars is, Mr. Jefferson, an old, but very lively, man. He came in with a smile and left with it. I was at the register when he came to order his drink and decided to strike up a conversation.
“You're a new face here, aren't ya?” the old man flashed a smile half his age.
“Yes sir,” I don't remember why, but it felt right to address him as “sir.”
He chuckled, his easy grin slowly eased the tension in my shoulders.
“Kinda stiff aren't ya?” he laughed as he held out his hand, “The name's William Jefferson, pleasure to meet your acquaintance ah..”
“Thomas,” I stumbled.
“Really now?” he whistled and clucked, “Then that'd mean if I adopted ya, you'd be 'Thomas Jefferson,' like the President, wouldn't ya?”
“I suppose so, sir.”
“There you go again with that “sir”-in'. Stop that now, it makes me feel old,” his eyes seemed to glare at me, but he also had a mischievous smile on that seemed to nullify any negativity that the glare gave off.
“Sure, what would you like to-,” I started.
“Did you just 'sir' me again?” he raised a silver eyebrow at me.
“No Mr. Jefferson, I said 'sure',” I repeated slowly.
“Ah, then all is well,” he proclaimed, his teeth gleaming from his wrinkled face, “I'll have a normal cup o' java, black as night and sweet as sin.”
“Sure, Mr. Jefferson”
At the sound of the “sure,” Mr. Jefferson cocked an eyebrow and gave me a condescending expression, which quickly melted into a lively smile when I began to look on edge.
Well, that was my run-in with Mr. Jefferson. It's getting a bit late, and I'm tired from the day's work. Time for a bit of shut-eye. I'll need a cup of coffee myself tomorrow if I don't get enough sleep.
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