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]

[ 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.

[obdure]

[ Thank you. You're not instantly his enemy. Maria winks apologetically, "awww, well if you ever reconsider! Just keep visiting us!" ]

I wouldn't call this good.

[ Glaring at her which will eventually get her leaving the table, saying she's just trying to convert someone into a regular! He should give her a raise!

Fakest excuse ever and she's unashamed. ]

They behave when there's more people. Barely.

[chrysanths]

... Well, I never went to a cafe like this before.

[ Employees talking with their customers and actually having quality food... Adolphe would just take his drink and sit in the corner so that he wouldn't be bothered.

But this morning's interaction? He doesn't dislike it for some reason. ]

So... I'll probably come back another time.

[obdure]

[ HE should be pleased that Adolphe is saying he'd come back. He should. They have quality food for the price. Their coffee is good. They're LOCAL and supporting local is so much better.

But there's a record scratch in Jacopo's brain. ]

What do you mean a cafe like this?

[ Squinting at him a bit. ]

[chrysanths]

[ ?

Adolphe doesn't know why Jacopo is squinting at him. ]

I like the atmosphere. Coffee is good too and it's not overpriced.

[obdure]

Oh, [ He truly feels stupid for overreacting again. ] I thought you were going to say that the cafe is... Weird.

[ Which would be rude, but Adolphe has been candid so far and he wouldn't be wrong. Jacopo doesn't think today, with him, has been normal in the slightest. He's not sure why... He's seated here, chatting with him.

He's not sure why he feels oddly comfortable. Relaxed, even. When has he felt relaxed? It's been not as busy in a stressful way after he quit real estate, but still busy where he doesn't take the time to unwind. That's wasted time that he can focus on work.

This is uncharacteristic of him. Unexplainable. It bothers him.

...

It would annoy him to hell if Adolphe said all of this was weird, no matter how true. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe always finds it comfortable. If it were anyone else, he feels like he would have rebuffed them hard by ignoring them outright and drink his coffee in silence. He's not a very social person and would rather be left alone.

But he doesn't remember how long it's been since he's had conversation like this with someone around his own age. Or at least, he thinks so? He looks over at Jacopo. There's really nothing special about this setup. He's just here because he didn't want to get into a car accident. ]

This is the first cafe where I could sit down with an employee and try out a trial test food unprompted, but it's not that bad. If I really didn't like it—

[ His own phone rings—well, it vibrates very loudly. Adolphe checks his phone, some sort of outdated smartphone that probably hasn't been seen in ten years. Still usable somehow. He sighs upon seeing the message and puts his phone away. ]

... I guess I can go home now.

[ I forgot to mention but he has gloves on. Just black gloves. Nothing special. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo had intended to explain this isn't the norm and not to expect chatting. He's a very busy guy who decided to be nice on this slow hour to a drowsy and slightly annoying customer.

It's strange to feel—that there is a vacant spot filled during this when he never knew there was an empty space to begin with. It's ridiculous. He just met this guy yet he has so many questions.

The smartphone is so old? What's with the gloves? If you're not going to work, why home? Is there something going on? What kept you up? Are you... All right? Will you be okay?

He shouldn't meddle. He shouldn't bother. This is already out of character for him. This man is just a stranger who walked into his coffee shop and he mistook him for someone else. This encounter... Is nothing more than chance. Adolphe says he'll come again, but that doesn't mean he will? This could be their last encounter. The next visit, he'll likely be focused on working, too.

Yet he's drawn, anyway. Expecting already. ]

Let me ring you up... [ For the second cup. He gestures to staff with a hand to bring the bill and it's the blond man instead who comes up, so no quips just a smile and a thank you for coming! It was fun.

Jacopo glares at Gratien for a bit before looking back at Adolphe. He wonders if he should ask for his name. ]

Drive safely.

[ Why ask when they may never see each other again? He resists, indignant to these emotions that don't feel like his own.

He hopes... He doesn't feel this way ever again. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe gets out his wallet and pays in cash down to the exact change. Shouldn't he have a credit or debit card? Well... there are cards, but probably not those. It looks more like library cards or whatever job information cards like the ones you see at most businesses. They're all different designs and colors from what little can be seen.

And Adolphe, him being who he is, does not offer his name, but he pauses, looking over at Jacopo after paying and putting his wallet away. ]

... You want to say something? You have that sort of face.

[obdure]

[ Jacopo glances at the cards, but not too long for it to be suspicious. More... questions come up. More keep coming.

So, yes. He has something to say. ]

You're just seeing things.

[ So much to say and ask, but it's ridiculous. Why? Why? It makes no sense to him why he would want to know any of it, at least to this degree. This man is a stranger, no different from any other patron who has walked into their cafe looking like they need to be punched by caffeine. He's no different from other people that come in, shouldering everyday struggles.

Gratien gives thanks and wishes Adolphe a good morning and day, then slips away with the bill and cash. Jacopo also stands up, planning to bid him a farewell before he loses his goddamn mind. ]

May you have a good morning.

[chrysanths]

Thanks. You too.

[ Adolphe gets his small bag and leaves the cafe without further fanfare, just like any other customer. At least he seems more awake by the time he leaves.

It's a few days later when Adolphe actually keeps his word and returns to the cafe, but it happens to be during the busy brunch time. He gets the coffee from before (the first version), and chooses the most inconspicuous place in the cafe to sit with his small netbook and a thick book open on the table. He picked one of the smaller tables that only seats two, because that's really all the space he needs. It's about an hour until he'll order something else, flagging down a worker. Doesn't matter who it is. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo has long forgotten about their first meeting because life is BUSY, though he has been having dreams—one of wheat fields... And another of a slice of Heaven. Ridiculous, stupid. He never remembers what the people look like in them and he'd wake up with a tight chest and short breath.

It doesn't mean anything.

There's one more staff member today aside from the first two. It's a peppy young girl with medium-tone skin, wearing her brown hair into high pigtail braids falling to cup her bob. She adds to the liveliness, though Maria and Gratien are already friendly to begin with. They man the fort well, but eventually Jacopo returns through the back with bags for the cafe and starts working to alleviate the burden.

Jacopo can't see him directly from this angle, can't pinpoint the familiarity of his voice above the chatter in the main area, but he does see his hand or gesture. The other three are attending other customers, so he will come to Adolphe's little nook— ]

You.

[ Some... small surprise. He doesn't like that it's a pleasant one because why should it be? ALSO HE DOESN'T KNOW YOUR FUCKING NAME ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe looks up to see Jacopo when he hears that voice. The cafe owner... but what he says doesn't exactly sound friendly. ]

... What did I do?

[ Damn. He thinks about leaving. Maybe this was a mistake-- ]