Chapter Text
Today was a busy morning rush. Everyone was overworked.
Jax has been on register for approximately 30 seconds and has already chosen to exercise his freewill.
Can I get an iced caramel latte, extra caramel, oat milk, no ice, light foam, seven pumps vanilla, two pumps hazelnut, stirred but not shaken-"
Jax just stares.
"...Have you ever considered a regular latte or an espresso like a normal person?"
Pomni, from behind him, writing something down in a notepad: "JAX."
The customer is offended.
Jax doubles down.
By the end of the interaction the customer storms out saying they're leaving a one-star review.
"...Caine's gonna kill us."
Jax just smiles, leaning against the counter. "Worth it."
The black-haired woman just groaned and stormed to Caine's office.
"Snitch." He muttered before turning to face the register, already serving the next customer in line.
Later, cue Caine as he's walking out of his office, his steps full of pride.
He's not even angry.
He's just delighted.
"Good news, everyone! We have identified the problem!"
"...Are we finally firing Jax?" Zooble butts in, glaring at Jax as he gives them a heart-broken look.
Caine laughs, almost maniacally. "No! Never!"
"We need another cashier!"
Gangle, who's been listening the entire time, squeaks. Adding her own opinion. "...I don't think that's the problem."
Caine ignored his staff, fulfilled with his own glory. "So I've posted a hiring ad!"
"...On LinkedIn?"
"...Facebook."
The short woman gave him a confused, almost judgeful look. "...The Facebook page hasn't been used since Queenie accidentally uploaded thirty pictures of bread in 2019."
"Why haven't we deleted that?" Zooble, brewing a coffee, asked. Just for no answer.
Ragatha.
She's doomscrolling in her bed, curly red hair disheveled across her pillows.
Still upset over getting fired from her real estate job.
Then-
Friend. Her name is Julia. A text message.
get a fucking job
Attached:
[Facebook Post: HIRING CASHIER]
Ragatha:
:(
Another friend, Max:
PLEASE YOU'RE MAKING ME PAY FOR LUNCH EVERY TIME WE GO OUT
Ragatha:
Rude.
She then clicks on the site.
She reads.
"...Actually..."
Ring...
Ring...
Pomni answers on the second ring. while still trying to stop Jax from climbing onto the counter.
"C&A Café, this is Pomni speaking."
A woman with a sweet voice like honey crackled, filling Pomni's right ear. "Uh... hi! I'm calling about the cashier position?"
Pomni immediately perks up.
"Oh my god."
Silence from both end's
"...I mean—"
"Hi."
"I'm Pomni. Shift manager."