THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

[bitemark]

IL MATTINO

Il Mattino is an Italian cafe sidled between a bookstore and a jewelry boutique in small but popular business district, just a downhill walk from the local non-denominational Christian church and residential area. The ocean is less than a ten minute drive away and within view in the distance. The area is cool even when the sun is at its apex at noon with a tinge of sea salt in the breeze.

The cafe itself is medium-sized with plenty of light let in with the large storefront windows. The decor is simple, but accented with key decor with wheat centerpieces and plants. There are some trinkets that are displayed that may look out of place, like atop the charging counter there's a sliding puzzle painted in pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, and all shades in between.

The cafe specializes in coffee and brunch, though pastries are sourced from local Italian bakeries in downtown Little Italy.

While the establishment has two floors, the cafe takes up the ground floor. There is a yard for some reason, but that's because there are four dogs. They're kept separate from the cafe to make sure patrons are not disturbed, but people are free to go outside to pet them. Reviews have mentioned the owner lives on the second floor and the dogs' names are Harold, Olive, Vera, and Rocco.

DRINKS ✦ FOOD ✦ all sorts of pastries available

Comments

[chrysanths]

... I'll figure that out once I see pictures of the thing.

[ Because what are tartines. He doesn't know most pastry names... Anyway, ]

Two more shots of caffeine in it.

[obdure]

The menu describes what it is, you know.

[ Definitely lowkey thinking wanting to See the photos is a little childish, but he also understands. ]

You mean espresso? [ Raising his eyebrows and smirking a bit because that does sound like such sleepy person talk. It is funny. ] Two shots.

[ He will take the cup and the plate to get it out of the way. It isn't long before he returns with a hot cup, pleasant roasty aroma wafting. It's placed carefully on the table right in front of him. ]

[chrysanths]

You can describe the food down to its ingredients and that means nothing to most people.

[ Adolphe is... a common man. Commoner, basically. The every day kind of guy who doesn't concern himself with the intricacies of pastries nor other cafe terms. He just needs a general description of the food and he'd be good.

That's why he squints at Jacopo when he mentions espresso and stares as if to roll his eyes, but he's doing a great job at holding it. ]

Are you the kind of person who corrects people when they say small, medium, large at a Starbucks too.

[obdure]

[ Adolphe is so silly, but maybe when he's more awake then it'll be better and descriptions won't read like just ingredients. ]

First of all, I don't go to Starbucks.

[ He really took a potshot at snobby food critics when in reality HE IS A SNOB. There's a mind to tell Adolphe to enjoy his coffee, so he can rest behind the counter or in the back. Adolphe is any other customer and doesn't need conversation if he has his double shot coffee.

But... He isn't sure why. He pulls out the chair again and takes the same seat. ]

Second of all, they shouldn't be using those words. There's nothing Italian about Starbucks. They use French roasts. Plus, it is confusing to customers and somehow despite being simple terms so many people screw up the pronunciation.

[ SO, YES. HE WOULD BE......... THIS IS A LONG-WINDED ANSWER... THE COFFEE HE GAVE YOU IS VERY GOOD THOUGH? ]

[chrysanths]

[ Honestly, he thought Jacopo would have returned to work and is surprised when he sees him taking a seat. Must be slow right now to have a conversation with a random customer, he thinks. ]

People will screw up anything, no matter how simple it is.

[ Adolphe personally doesn't have much opinions about it, but it's pretty annoying when he has to deal with it. ]

What's the difference anyway? French and Italian roasts.

[obdure]

[ It is a bit slow right now because people are at their usual work time of a 9-5... Though there are still people filtering in and out. It seems like the staff handles them fine. It will get busy when brunch and lunch approaches. ]

Italian is darker and stronger, so it has more of a smoky taste than French. Frankly, I don't think you can call Starbucks coffee.

[ It is... Watered down. ]

Is that why you didn't get enough sleep? People screwing up simple things?

[chrysanths]

[ Well. ]

Sure. You can say that.

[ He takes a sip of the newly arrived coffee. Delicious. More caffeine. He wants to sink into the ground and perish from how exhausted he feels. ]

It's also the reason why I'm here, trying not to get into an auto accident by forcefully waking myself up.

[obdure]

... That sounds really bad.

[ Jacopo doesn't have an obviously worried or concerned expression like you'd see from like mothers or sympathetic people. Well, his worried and concerned tend to look like a scowl with how his eyebrows knit. ]

I get you, though. I used to work in real estate and it was god awful. Felt like everyone around me was slacking and when I did work longer to get stuff done, they work less.

[chrysanths]

Then the amount of work you've just done becomes the new standard and you get piled with more work next time... That's really the worst.

[ But, huh. Real estate? Where's the pipeline here? Did he get fired? He has so many thoughts. ]

What made you work in a cafe after real estate?

[obdure]

It becomes expected, but what's the point if no one else pulls their weight.

[ Thinking about his old job makes him want to smoke, but... Can't right now. ]

I didn't think you'd be that interested in me.

[ BECAUSE YOU WERE RUDE AT FIRST. Not that rude. He overreacted. ]

[chrysanths]

... Can you not word things weirdly.

[ Especially after the "flirting comment" he made earlier? Please. ]

Is me asking a question so weird that it warrants you saying that...

[obdure]

I—it isn't like that. Customers often will talk about themselves.

[ It's the customer service relationship! ]

[chrysanths]

[ Unfortunately, today just isn't Jacopo's day. Adolphe is not the kind of person to talk about himself very much and would rather redirect. ]

If it isn't weird, are you fine with answering my question from before?

[obdure]

[ When has any day been his day? ]

It's not weird, just don't complain if you end up finding it so boring you're going to fall asleep instead.

I was already investing into this cafe while I was working and I had a good relationship with the previous owner. [ Have you ever been hustling since forever. ] Picked it up after I quit which happened to line up with them retiring two years back.

I also like coffee and think people should start the day right with a good cup. I've had coffee that has ruined my day before. Had good coffee that made my awful day feel less bad. Morning's important.

[ yaps... yaps so dramatically..... ]

[chrysanths]

[ Oh.

Huh.

Instead of being bored with the story, he finds it nice. Also, impressive. ]

That must have been some terrible coffee if it could ruin your entire day.

[ Damn. ]

[obdure]

Seven dollars for something that tasted like instant coffee and milk.

[ Layers. Layers... Even though Jacopo knows it could just be he woke up feeling like garbage, so it stung even more. Just another slight against him.

He will not say that, though. ]

[chrysanths]

I guess that was also the day when you happened to go to Starbucks for the first time?

[ lol

But this guy. Investing already? This cafe is his? He's heard that real estate agents can make a lot of money while losing years off their lifespan, so the switch is impressive. Perhaps it wasn't the money.

Good for him, Adilphe thinks as he takes another sip of the coffee. ]

... If you're the owner, why do you let yourself get pushed around by your employees?

[obdure]

[ They do lose years off their lifespan... They lose years off their sanity. Perhaps coffee shop is supposed to be healing even if it's rough.

Starbucks is the enemy and the joke does have him smile a bit because it is funny and WE LOVE DUNKING ON STARBUCKS, but just as quickly he scowls. ]

You—[ Closes his mouth to fix his tone. ] I am not getting pushed around.

[chrysanths]

Then what was all that with your employee?

[ Despite how Maria is a force to be reckoned with. ]

[obdure]

It's how we are outside of work. I've told her to get it together when we're clocked in, but she's incorrigible.

[ never change Maria ]

[chrysanths]

Sounds like you're fond of her.

[ He did not, but he can joke sometimes. ]

I guess she's a friend of yours?

[obdure]

Who'd be friends with a girl so loud and noxious?

[ Adds to the joke, but half-hearted. t's audible enough where Maria shouts back, "I can hear you, asshole!" and the blond man also working cracks a hearty laugh. Adolphe at this point is the only one left, so SHE JUST LETS IT RIP. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe laughs a little, but keeps his voice down. He can't help it when it's displayed like this. This must be what's it's like to have friends at this age, he thinks to himself as he takes another sip of the coffee. ]

It looks like you would, for the record.

[obdure]

[ Maria saunters over, hand on the table as she looms over both men (barely), "you joining the bully Jacopo club?" ]

You're supposed to be working.

[ The guy is still laughing as he's wiping down tables, "there are no perks except a good time." ]

[chrysanths]

[ Ahhh, well. The offer sounds tempting, but he barely even knows the guy. ]

... I'll pass.

[ He's trying to be cordial instead of a menace. His ever-slowly rising social skills. ]

You three sound like good friends.