First Day of Work - Open!

[oncedevil]

Who: Anthony Sparado and you!
What: It's Anthony's first day working at Espresso Yourself, and he's not sure if he's in way over his head or not.
Where: Uh, Espresso Yourself?
When: Late morning of June 24th, after initial training is done.

It was a lot to adjust to in such a short period of time. Sure, once he got the general idea of the coffee machines it didn't take too long to figure out their quirks, but throw all of that on top of everything else involved in the job? There was running the cash register, taking (and remembering) orders, dealing with money, and worse yet dealing with people, honestly Anthony was feeling highly overwhelmed and not completely certain he had made the right decision.

Maybe he wasn't cut out for this customer service stuff at all, he'd already been shouted at once, which he'd responded by baring his teeth and growling. Yeah, he realized after he'd done it that wasn't the best way to respond. He really needed to get a handle on that aggression thing.

Was it break time yet? By now the teenager wanted nothing more than to find a sack of coffee beans to hide under, and his shift wasn't even half over yet.

Comments

[dead_black_eyes]

L knew for a fact that it was a lot to adjust to, because a few short months before, he'd been the one adjusting. Now he was the one filling Ray's role and approaching the bristling, frayed new hire, after training that probably could have gone better. L had done his best to demonstrate everything, but with his hands the way they were, he still had some difficulty even with his assisting brace. Heavy objects and activities requiring a certain amount of dexterity were literally outside of his grasp, and he'd resorted to a lot of verbal instructions for someone he suspected was more of a... learn by doing type.

"I know you think you suck at this," he said bluntly. "But... objectively you're not doing as badly as you think. On my first day a woman got on my last nerve and when she wasn't looking I poured coffee in her Prada bag. If you haven't done that yet, you're actually doing really well."

[oncedevil]

After enough snarling the yelling customer just left, insisting Tony was insane and he was never coming back. Of course that just got a 'good riddance!' out of the kid who really needed to learn to get his temper in check. Once the perceived 'threat' was gone, though, he calmed right down.

Stupid echoes and stupid whatever was wrong with his head... And then there was L, and Tony just kind of flopped his arms over his head in a desperate attempt at hiding because wow, talk about embarrassing. He very much was a learn by doing type, problem was he hadn't done a whole lot up until now.

"Yeah..." Yes, he was pretty sure he sucked at it, how did you know? Although he couldn't help but snicker at the idea of dumping coffee in some woman's purse, that's pretty glorious. "Shit, you did that? Well... guess I don't feel so horrible for snarling at that guy, now."

[dead_black_eyes]

L watched the customer leave, expression blank and mildly bored. But his eyes were focused on the window, where the storming customer held up an index card with a number written in black sharpie with a brief slap before huffing off.

"That's Larry Castanetta," L informed him. "He gets off on abuse, so he's in pretty frequently. He gave you an 8; congratulations. He'll be back in a few minutes for his coffee, so try for a 10 and he'll leave a really generous tip."

[oncedevil]

"What." It wasn't a question, but a statement of Tony's absolute bafflement. The guy wanted him to blow up at him? That was a good thing? Just what the hell was he getting involved in here? He just stared at L for several long moments, searching and utterly confused.

"So you're telling me, you want me to be an asshole to that guy?" He thumbed over his shoulder toward the door, and from the way he looked you'd think L had just asked him to rob a bank or something.

[ursoreckless]

Sliding on into line was a slightly familiar face, although he was dressed rather odd even for someone who does sport weird clothing during his clubbing time. The huge dark sunglasses and the fact that he was wearing a jacket over his long sleeved shirt as well as a stocking hat crammed on top of his head was not exactly normal wear for Shou. He actually looked a bit like he was hiding, which might have been the case if his clothing wasn't so colorful.

"So, you're working here now?" He just smiles as he casually leans against the counter.

[oncedevil]

At first Anthony didn't recognize him, what with the weird getup and all, and his own frenzied fussing with the machine that he was almost certain was going to explode on him at any time. Who put him in charge of complicated machinery again? Oh, right, Lazarus.

"Yeah what'll it--" It was the voice he recognized first, really, and after a good long look Tony rose an eyebrow skeptically. "The paparazzi after you, or what?" Shou, what are you doing?

[ursoreckless]

He takes a moment to dramatically look over his shoulder, then another moment to look down at his outfit and then he laughs and shakes his head. He guess he did look a little like someone was probably stalking him, and while it has happened - ex-girlfriends can be a bit of a strange bunch - he hasn't had that many girlfriends willing to chase him across the world in recent years.

"Nah," he drawled, tugging his sunglasses down and letting Tony see just how red looking the whites were. "I've developed a little problem with sunlight. The more I'm exposed to it, the more I feel like I'm burning up."

[oncedevil]

Crazy ex-girlfriend would have been Anthony's next guess, but that ridiculous getup just screamed hiding from paparazzi. Also, because you know, any ex-girlfriends would probably still recognize him even through his ridiculous outfit.

"Geeze, man, have you slept in the last month?" Really, Shou looked like hell and he just couldn't help the vaguely worried but mostly disapproving tone. However, that next bit gets a raised eyebrow, and he ducks close, lowering his voice. "Are you turning into a vampire, dude? Is that even a thing that can happen?" He needed to know if he should invest in garlic or something.

Echoes sure are weird.

[adquartum]

The idea of coffee seemed so American it was almost thrilling to go in an order. The names of coffees were a bit different here, and it felt somehow adult to be perusing them, on his own, with no supervision.

The things Lamont found exciting might seem a little sad, but, well. Why not try to see the bright side of everyday life, right?

Granted, when he did get up to the register: "Ah... sorry. I haven't been able to decide yet. Which coffee do you suggest?" Asked the young man taking orders, with a shadow of a confused smile.

[oncedevil]

To each their own. This being Anthony's first real job, on a payroll and all, was also pretty exciting. Terrifying, but exciting. Every time the espresso machine made that whistling noise was terrifying as well, and the kid was quick to duck down and put a metal bowl on his head as a safety helmet when it went off and surprised him.

Don't mind him peeking over the counter at you as he points at the machine.

"Hang on, just... I'm not sure if it's gonna blow or not, man."

Cautiously he crept over to it, fiddled with levers and buttons a bit, and the noise finally stopped. With a relieved sigh he took the bowl off, then was finally able to give the customer proper attention.

"Sorry about that, anyway, something easy?" He offered a wavering grin. Man, this really wasn't getting any easier. "You got any preferences at all? Like, black, sweet, something fancy?"

[adquartum]

"Does... does it do that?" Peering curiously over at the expresso machine, a brow raising both at the prospect and... at his choice of protective head gear.

"That seems like it must be a health and safety violation, if it does..." Biting his lip as he fiddled with it, hands finding his pockets. When he returned; "Ah, not to worry. And, yes! I suppose easy would be best. Fewer explosions." Returning the grin with a smile. "Black but sweet. Simple is fine. Thank you!"

[oncedevil]

"Can't say, it hasn't yet, but I don't trust it," Sometimes Anthony could be a little dramatic. Right now was definitely one of those times.

"It sure makes some funny noises sometimes, you know?" In all actuality it was entirely safe, but again, Anthony was dramatic. He was also extremely high strung and brand new. "Great, coming right up. And don't worry about the cost, someone left their change for the next few coffees." Your drink is on Shou today.

Promptly he goes about fixing up the coffee. That order is simple enough it only takes a minute or so.

im sorry he's such a shit

[brotimaeus]

"Hey, kid."

He'd walked in just in time to see a pissed off 'gentleman' (and he used the word lightly, given the words that had been coming out of his mouth on his way past) leaving the coffee shop. Of course he was going to take the time to check up on Tony on his first day.

Especially when it was him who encouraged him into the job in the first place.

"I'll take a grande caffe mocha, no sugar, no whipped cream, extra dry, with half skim, half full milk. I don't want 2% milk, just a mixture of the both." A beat. "And raspberry syrup, mix with the milk, then the coffee."

Richard pls

[oncedevil]

Once the guy was fully out of the building Tony stopped snarling, and just slumped against the counter, burying his face in his hands. Ugh, worst day. Fortunately he'd been informed that this sort of behavior was not only tolerated but in some instances encouraged. He sure had a weird employer.

But you know, overall, this was probably going to be a pretty good fit.

"Hey..." The greeting trailed off when Richard launched into his ridiculous order, which Anthony just stared at him from between his fingers all the way through. He then drew back, and pointed at him matter-of-factly. "I've been more or less given the go-ahead to dump coffee in someone's Prada bag, Richard, do you really want it to be yours?" Yes, he is implying Richard carries a Prada bag, and also being a huge shit right back to him.

Please tell him you're not serious about that order.

all the pls

[brotimaeus]

How did he manage to get that whole thing out without tripping over the order or even needing to take a breath? Because he's an asshole, that's how.

"You dump coffee in any bag of mine and you'll be wearing it, kiddo," he shot back, leaning on the counter with a crooked grin. Richard reached up to ruffle Tony's hair, the grin shifting into something more like a soft smirk.

"Plain, black, but make it a small one. Too late into the afternoon to be drinkin' a fucking bucketful."

so much pls

[oncedevil]

Good lord he is, too. If it had turned out he was serious about it Tony would have needed to take some notes, and go over all of his resource material while griping just to get the damned thing made.

Cut him a little slack on his first day, would you?

"It'll be worth it," He huffed and made a token protesting noise, but that was really about it. He didn't even try to escape the hair ruffling.

And phew, thank goodness he didn't actually want that ridiculous drink. "That I can do. No flavoring or anything?" Easiest drink of the day. A small black coffee.

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Fil wasn't really awake when he stumbled into Expresso Yourself. It's been a long night in a series of long nights and it wasn't over yet. Caffeine was a necessity. Eyes only half-opened, Fil stumbled towards the counter when it was his turn and mumbled his usual order of large hazelnut cafe mocha.

No wait, he needs extra caffeine or he's not going to survive today. "Wait. Add an extra shot of expresso in please."

[oncedevil]

Well there's a familiar face. Though Anthony had to admit he'd never seen Fil look this exhausted on the network before. Hey, guy, you alright? Please don't sleep on the counter he just cleaned that. At least the order was easy enough, nothing overly complicated.

"Sure man, coming right up. You look like hell, by the way."

He went to work fighting with the machine to get that order up, slowly things were starting to come together. Maybe this wasn't such a terrible plan after all.

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Fil yawned and tried not to lean his entire weight on the counter. "Yeah, I know. It should be over in a day or two." He wasn't really used to working on 3 hours or sleep a night.

"Didn't know you were working here. Just started?"

[scramasax]

It was a slow warming-up to certain ideas, the smaller one nested in the bigger one - the latter was continuing practice at "being outside", in any sort of environment which could be considered public; the former would be certain offers, or, rather, a certain offer which was buzzing aloft a bit in its head - it wasn't pinned down since it wasn't a priority.

Either way, he was in the right place - opened the door wide with a majority of his weight, "followed" it inside with his head down and his hood securely up - and dear lord, there were multiple human voices in here this time...

His upper body locked frozen up on guard. He felt his way around to the wall. Brushed past something not quite as solid as a wall, which flinched off and reeled a startled "Eeeeeegh!"; he jumped, snapped his head up, mumbled "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry -- ", "scanned" with a turn of his head one way and then the other, and kept moving. Not another sound from that voice - he settled his physical focus toward the wall.

He couldn't even drink, and he wasn't in much state to be wallflowering. Much as he had reason to come here, now that he had, there was nothing he could do that wouldn't hit some part of his brain as completely.

And so waffling between two for the moment, he slowed down somewhere past the line and the counter. Biding his time, listening to what was said - and snapping his head around more visibly if there seemed to be any break in noise.

[oncedevil]

The strange behavior didn't go unnoticed, in fact it drew Anthony's attention quite quickly. Already he was on the alert for potential danger, as while he appeared to be a barista he'd also been hired as a bouncer. Which was... hard to manage on top of coffee orders, mind you, but that didn't mean he had to take all of his attention off the strange person who finally managed to make it somewhat closer to the line.

Once his last customer was taken care of and sent off to enjoy their coffee or whatever, Anthony turned his attention to the stranger kind of hovering in coffee limbo.

"Yo, dude, you want somethin' or you just here for the atmosphere?"

He leaned heavily on his elbow on the counter, trying to look as intimidating as possible. Which... wasn't very, admittedly, given he wasn't particularly tall, and had a fairly light frame. But boy he sure could pull a cold stare when he needed to.

[scramasax]

For someone who can't see, a sudden question easily taken as a callout in the voice of the cashier is more than effective enough - he jarred frozen up.

"Uh -- "

He snapped his head up in the direction of the voice, which was perhaps too hasty, but his brain went scampering off past it. "Um. Sorry -- should I - should I not be -- ?"

The thought of what he had just done let that crawl up to a thin little crack, and something in the back of his brain went bracing itself down for nothing defined.

[bronographic]

Of course Dirk had to stop by, why wouldn't he? He wanted to see his best friend at his first real job, and give him his support.

However, with Dirk, his support might not be the same simple encouragement of others. And as it would turn out, Tony was in the middle of using the espresso machine when he walked up. So Dirk stood there, silently watching him. A very faint grin on his face as he waited for Tony to turn around and see him suddenly being there.

It's alright Tony, take your time. Dirk's got all day, he's off work.

[oncedevil]

Man, after today, Tony really needed the friendly face. He wasn't doing too badly, but he sure was stressed after everything that had happened so far. Way too much excitement for one day, he'd been a roller-coaster of adrenaline and frustration all day. At least he got to vent on one customer, but for the most part he was still working out the feel of how, exactly, he was allowed to act here.

The espresso machine still gave him a little trouble, but for the most part he'd finally figured it out well enough to be semi-efficient and not have to whack it to get it to comply. Mostly.

Of course, when he finally did turn around after successfully finishing a drink he about jumped out of his skin. "Geeze! Dirk, don't sneak up like that, dude." He was a little high strung today, don't mind him. But he couldn't help the big grin that happened immediately after his surprise. He slid the coffee down the counter to its owner before making his way to lean against the bar to talk to his friend. It was slower now, he could afford a little bit of chit-chat.

"I was beginning to think you weren't gonna come down today."

He pretended to look really hurt, but the pouting was obviously all a show.

[bronographic]

"And miss the chance to see you nearly cling to the ceiling in surprise? Never." He retorted with a smirk. It was always easier to let down his usual guard around Tony, even if in public. He knew that Tony wasn't actually hurt, and if he were, he'd of course make it up to him. But he's a big faker, and if there's one thing Dirk knows, it's Tony.

"So how's the job treating you?" He was curious, wanting to know how it was going, and if Tony could adapt to this type of thing. He was hoping for the better, getting a first job was hard enough for normal kids, let alone a kid who lived on the streets the majority of his life.

And then there was the fact that Dirk was kind of a huge mother hen, but that had nothing to do with this. Nope.