Luxury Cafe Owner

As Alan stood behind the counter, the bell rang as the door opened and a man walked in.

Alan recognized him as Tom, his first ever customer.

"Good morni--" He began, but cut off as Tom slammed his hands down on the counter and stared at Alan with bloodshot eyes.

"What did you slip me yesterday?"Tom demanded.

Alan looked confused."What do you mean?"

"Don't play coy, what did you put in my coffee?"Tom leaned across the counter getting in Alan's face.

Alan remained calm."I didn't put anything in your coffee.I just made it like normal."

Tom took a breath to calm down and leaned back."You really didn't add anything to it?" He said doubtfully.

Alan replied, "Why would I spike a customer's drink?What does that do for me?Think about this logically."

Tom thought about it and realized what Alan said made sense."I'm sorry," He apologized.

Alan just nodded before saying, "It's fine.But, more importantly, what made you think I put something in your coffee?Did it make you sick?"

Tom shook his head."No, if anything it was the opposite.I felt more focused than I have in years.I got an entire week's worth of work done in one day."

Understanding dawned on Alan and he struggled to keep his face straight."System," He thought."Could it be that this was the effect of the ultimate cup of joe?"

"Confirmed, Host."The system replied."As the description states the ultimate cup of joe increases concentration and productivity."

Alan was dumbfounded."That's great system, but what am I supposed to tell my customers?"

"Host is the future owner of the world's most luxurious cafe.If Host can't handle such a small problem wouldn't that be too pathetic?"

Alan sighed."Right, right, I don't know what I expected."

Focusing on Tom, he thought fast and spoke."I really didn't slip you anything.That being said, I guarantee that my brewing process is perfect. Even using inferior coffee beans like they have in this shop, the quality of the coffee is much higher.As a result, it's possible the caffeine was absorbed by your system better than normal."

Tom seemed kind of doubtful at first, but his expression grew more thoughtful as Alan finished speaking.It's not that what Alan said made particular sense.It's more that Tom couldn't think of another explanation.Human beings have a tendency to accept far fetched explanations for things they can't understand.

Tom nodded."That might just be it.I'm used to crappy coffee from chain stores.High quality coffee naturally has a better effect.Alright, could I get another coffee…" He paused here, looking at Alan's chest for a nametag.

"Alan Pender," Alan told him.

"Alright Alan.Sorry for coming in here all agitated before.Could I get a coffee please?"

Alan nodded."Of course, coming right up."

Meanwhile, the manager John had come out to see what the commotion was about."Is everything okay, sir?"He asked Tom.

Tom nodded."There's no problem.You have a real gem here in this barista.I'll come back for coffee everyday so long as he's here."

John seemed surprised before smiling and saying, "Then I'll thank you ahead of time for your patronage."

John went back to his office, still slightly confused by the interaction he just had.

"How good can coffee made from pre-ground beans be?"He thought doubtfully.Still, he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Alan made Tom his cup of coffee.While he did so, Wendy collected the money as per usual, paying little attention as she did so.

When Alan handed Tom the cup, Tom nodded at him."Thank you.I meant what I said.So long as you are here I'll keep coming back for coffee.Putting aside the effect it had, the taste was much better than the coffee I used to get from here.I used to just drink it for the energy, to wake myself up in the morning; now, I actually am looking forward to drinking this cup of coffee."

Finishing this sentence, he took a ten dollar bill out of his pocket and dropped it in the tip jar.Alan felt mildly surprised, but kept his face straight as he thanked Tom.Tom didn't stick around to chat.He took his coffee and left to work.

Alan appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was extremely excited.However, his excitement, for once, had nothing to do with money he had just received.When Tom had finished complimenting him and gave him the ten dollar bill, a notification sound had rang out and the system said, "Host has fully satisfied a customer.Commencing next mission.Please check details."

Alan thought and pulled up the mission details.

Mission: Owning a cafe

Details:Host has proven that he has the necessary skills to satisfy customers.Host is the future owner of the world's most luxurious cafe.Thus, it's not appropriate for Host to continue to work for someone else.Figure out a way to start your very first cafe!

Reward: Owner title.

"System you have to be kidding me!"Alan was so upset he almost exclaimed out loud.

"What is the problem Host?"The system asked.

"What's the problem?"Alan asked incredulously."The problem is that I only have one day of experience and ten dollars to my name and you're telling me to start a cafe!How am I supposed to do that?"

"Work hard to figure it out Host."

Alan snorted at the typically unhelpful answer."Whatever," he thought to himself."I don't actually have to do what the system wants.I can just work here and make some money for a while.It won't be too late to have my own cafe later on."

Thinking this to himself, Alan put the mission out of his mind.

As the day continued, customers from yesterday came in one after another.Some of them were accusatory at first, and others just seemed excited to get the coffee again.All of them ended up complimenting Alan and his coffee.John watched the procession of customers come and go with disbelief.He secretly went out to check the pre-ground coffee to see if Alan had switched it out for something, but it was the same coffee.He watched as Alan made a cup of coffee using it and served it to a customer.

John went back to his office in confusion, having some doubts about what was going on.

At the end of the day, Alan counted the tips he received today.

He smiled to himself."I received $150 in tips today.Not too shabby.At this rate I might be able to make more money from selling coffee than I could from getting an office job."For the first time since he received the system he felt the idea of being a cafe owner was an attractive future.

He stopped by the store on the way home to buy himself a bottle of wine to celebrate.Now that he was rich he could afford to buy something classy.He didn't have to buy the two-buck chuck he normally would drink.He decided to splurge.He went to the cashier proclaiming proudly, "Sir, give me your best three dollar wine."

Well, it was only $150 after all.He couldn't completely change over night.