ACTION | ❝ you don't have to go home but you can't stay here ❞

[11ady]

[Let's go the multiple choice route like a bad dating sim that leads nowhere.]

❶ morning; coffee shop

At the counter, you'll notice Elle digging through her purse and paying for the cheapest drink in spare change. Damn, is she short a nickel again? She's just trying to justify hogging a table for the free wi-fi so she can get her paper done. Never mind all the weird chat windows and video feeds constantly popping up or the weird texts to her phone. She has responsibilities, ok?

❷ noon; still at the coffee shop

The lunch rush is pouring in and there's a desperate need to clear the tables. It sure is awkward being asked to leave by the manager. What do? A little intervention would help but the kindness of strangers is a myth, isn't it?

❸ closing time; yep still at the coffee shop

Look she just has one page left to polish? Can't you just let her stay ten more minutes despite the fact that she's only bought one small coffee but stayed almost 12 hours? This isn't awkward to watch at all. To think she was on top of the world barely six years ago and now she's been reduced to this.

Comments

2~

[comparative_insanity]

Oh, no, it's okay!

[The young man who arrived not long ago to take the second shift behind the counter comes hurrying with a coffee and a sandwich, placing them demonstratively in front of Elle.]

See, she paid for lunch and everything.

[Not that she had, but Fay quite frankly thinks the manager is a cheap bitch and god, it was only one table after all. He only smiled as he received a disgruntled look and a sharp comment about that she'd take it out of his paycheck if the money weren't there, watching the manager leave.]

There, that'll buy you some time, sugar.

yes good *A*

[11ady]

Thank you so much. Maybe you can give me a business card? I can pay you back when I manage to save enough.

[comparative_insanity]

[That gets a small laugh as he leans slightly against the table.]

Sweetiepie, I ain't the kind of person to carry a business card, sorry. Don't worry about it, I got a great tip yesterday so I can afford to be generous.

[11ady]

Might I have a name so I can at least thank you properly?

[comparative_insanity]

[He points at a cheap name tag on his shirt, which has something crossed out and "FAY" written underneath it.]

Fay Forster, at your service. And may I ask for your name in turn?

[11ady]

Elle Une. Again, I extend my thanks, Mr. Forster. I'll do my best to make it up to you when I can. It's not in my nature to let a debt go unpaid.

[comparative_insanity]

Well, I know what it's like when something keeps eating at ya.

[He smiles, nodding.]

But you look like you're working pretty hard at something, so I bet you'll have a chance soon. You a journalist or a writer or something?

[11ady]

College student. I'm aiming to work in marketing actually.

[comparative_insanity]

Oh, wow. [He makes a soft, impressed sound.] Ain't that terribly hard? Well, I mean, I wouldn't know, but it sounds like it might be hard.

[11ady]

Each occupation is difficult in its own way. What might yours be?

[comparative_insanity]

Apart from this place, you mean? [He grins, shrugging.] I work in the bar and as a dancer at Cock of the Walk. I think you can figure out what that is, huh?

[11ady]

[Oh... She knows exactly what that is. It's not her place to pass judgment though especially after he's been so kind. With the current economy, not a lot of people can be picky about legitimate work.]

I get a pretty clear picture. I've heard about it in passing.

[comparative_insanity]

[He's not that bashful about what he does, because he has no patience for the kind of people that would judge him anyway.]

Yeah, it's the kind of place that gets noticed. I think it even was in the paper because it had a "bad word" in the sign where "children could see it". [He laughs lightly and maybe a bit wryly.] It pays the bills and it's a lot of fun, though.

[11ady]

As long as you enjoy it, I don't really see the harm. Parents are supposed to police their children anyway. That's their responsibility, not yours.