Chapter Text
Night shift at Altea’s was, for the most part, pretty standard. Mainly the Drive-Thru was hit the hardest, and those on shift would have to work seamlessly to get the orders out in a timely manner. Pidge would take the orders, her voice carrying through the speakers bright and cheerful, Keith would take their money and hand them their food, smiling as he bade them a good night.
Allura would expedite, gathering the food that Hunk prepared in the back and get it bagged and ready to go. Lance would take any customers who came in to the lobby, deciding to not want to wait in the long ass line for their food. Sometimes Shiro was there to help. Sometimes Matt or Adam. Regardless of which manager, the well oiled machine would work as it always did, and rarely did they ever have any hiccups.
“Hi,” Keith pulled on his best customer service smile as he turned to the window, the elderly woman pulling up. She wore a pink hat and a frown, but he ignored both. “Your total is fifteen eighty-nine.”
“My food is cold!” the woman snapped and Keith felt the smile falter. “It’s been sitting there this whole time it’s cold! I’m not paying for cold food!” Behind him, Keith heard Allura bagging the woman’s food. The food that Hunk had just finished making. The food that was still warm from being freshly prepared.
“Um,” Keith blinked, before pulling his smile back on, “Alright give me … give me just a second.” He closed the window and turned around, his smile dropping. Pidge was giving him a look, having heard the lady’s complaint, but only raised an eyebrow as she finished taking an order. “Allura!”
“Yes, yes, I’m coming!” The manager huffed, setting the bag down and turned, “What is it? A discount?”
“This lady says her food’s cold and she’s not paying for it.”
Everything stopped. Lance looked up, having been standing at the counter about to go wipe down tables. “What?” he asked, eyes wide as he looked over to Allura. Allura, herself, looked confused.
“Can you … did she come through earlier?”
“No.” Keith frowned more, “She’s coming up to pay and the food that she hasn’t gotten she’s claiming is cold. She won’t pay for it.”
Lance turned, looking to the food that Allura had placed on the counter, walking over to it as Allura took over at the window to talk to the elderly woman.
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, smiling brightly, “what seems to be the problem?”
“I’ve been waiting in this line for ten minutes, and this whole time my food’s been sitting in there. I’m not paying for it. I want it remade!”
“Of course, ma’am. Not a problem.” Allura’s face was straining as she tried to keep herself calm. “Can I get you one of our pies to make up for the extra wait?”
“No I want my food hot!” the woman shot back, sneering, “I own hotels! I’m not paying for cold food!”
“Of course ma’am. I’ll let them know to remake your food.” She pulled back, turning and huffed, “Hunk! Please remake this order.”
“So, uh,” Hunk leaned over, raising an eyebrow. “Just remake that sandwich I just made?”
“Yes. Then work on the rest of her order.” Allura grabbed her card, gently scooting Keith out of the way as she worked at the register. Keith raised an eyebrow but backed away, going to stand beside Lance and crossed his arms.
“I hate old people.” the black haired boy muttered darkly. “Rude ass old bitch.” Lance choked back a laugh, setting the cold sandwich down.
“Shh, she’ll hear you.” he whispered, smacking his boyfriend’s shoulder lightly.
“Good. I want her to know how I feel.” Keith sniffed, “We literally have like ten other people behind her and she’s holding us up.” They watched as Allura opened the register, counting out money.
“Here. I gave you a discount to make up for this trouble.” She said, hoping that it would placate the woman. Having your food half off should do that trick.
“I don’t want my money back! I want my food and I want it hot!” the elderly woman shot back, “Do you know who I am?”
Allura gripped the money just slightly tighter but still managed to smile. “Of course ma’am. My apologies.” She closed the window and turned around.
“Rude. Ass. Old. Bitch.” Keith hissed, giving Lance a pointed look as the Cuban bagged the woman’s now slightly fresher food, and handed it over to Keith. With a sigh, Keith turned and walked back over to the window, handing the food to Allura. She nodded, throwing in some napkins and turned back around, handing it out to the customer.
“Here you are, ma’am. Fresh and hot.” The woman snatched it out of her hand. “Have a nice night.” The woman was already rolling up her window and driving off before Allura could say have.
Allura closed the window, letting Keith take his post once more and turned around, her shoulders sagging as she made her way back to her own post.
“She owns hotels!” she muttered darkly under her breath. “Then you clearly can afford to eat somewhere else.” She rubbed at her face before taking a deep breath.
Keith opened the window and smiled, “Hello. Your total is three sixty.” he said, gently taking the card that was offered and swiped it.
Allura bagged the food Hunk made.
Pidge took orders and Lance smiled as he greeted a couple who walked in.
Just a regular night at Altea’s.