The Order of the Slice

Chapter 3

Luigi sat at the park bench, just like they told him to. He was eating a cheeseburger, just like they told him to. What if this doesn't work? He thought nervously. What would happen to him? He glanced at the people in the park. Looking for any burger-themed accessories. His heart sank. What if he couldn't find anyone? Someone walked past Luigi, Luigi noticed he had a little burger pin on his coat and choked a little. The man turned towards him.

"Are you alright?" He asked. Luigi tried to remember his role. He wasn't a very good actor, but he tried his best.

"Yeah-sorry I-I just really love-uh-burgers," He said.

"You do?" He asked. Luigi nodded, trying to hide his nervousness.

"I think they're the b-best food in the world."

The man nodded. "You're right, they are," The man said. "What's your name?" Luigi wondered whether he should use a fake name or his real one. He decided to use his real one.

"I'm-I'm-Luigi," He said. "Luigi Lazzaretto." The man smiled

"Well Luigi, I'll be sure to tell the others about you." The man left. Luigi let out a shaky breath. What now? He watched the people in the park. He tried to calm himself as he heard some walk up from behind him.

"Is it done?" They asked. Luigi nodded.

"We should be hearing from them very soon," He said.

"Good."

They walked away from Luigi, leaving him alone. Luigi sighed. What now?

***

Luigi walked back to his apartment, feeling more anxious than ever. He unlocked his door walked inside. He let out a startled yelp when he saw Cheryl, sitting on his couch.

"Wha-what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Making sure you don't try to run away again." She replied.

"Oh,"

"Did you do it?" She asked. Luigi nodded.

"I did it." He said.

"Good, we should get a letter from them tomorrow night." She stood up. "You have to show up to work tomorrow like nothing happened," She said "Alright?" Luigi nodded.

"Alright."

***

Luigi awoke the next morning and put on his uniform, like nothing happened. He walked to Little Caesars, like nothing happened. He greeted his coworkers, like nothing happened. He sprinkled parmesan cheese on the pizza he was making, like nothing happened. He was getting pretty good at pretending nothing was wrong, until Thomas walked over to him with a concerned expression.

"Hey Luigi, are you okay?" Thomas asked.

"Of course, w-why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you said you were in trouble with a secret pizza society?"

Luigi glanced at Cheryl, she was rolling some dough, looking at him and shaking her head.

"No, I didn't say anything about a secret pizza society." He lied. Thomas's frown deepened.

"No, you said that. I remember you saying that."

Luigi snickered. "I think I would remember saying that," He said. "But no, I'm not in trouble with a secret pizza society."

"Well you seemed pretty stressed out about yesterday," Thomas said with shrug. "But I'm sure its nothing."

Luigi nodded, swallowing down his fear. "Trust me, I'm fine."

"Okay, well I need to get to work so I'll see you later." He walked away. Luigi went back to making his pizza, trying not shiver.

***

Luigi finished his pizzas, and went home. When he got to his building, he noticed a piece of paper by the door. Luigi picked it up. It was a letter, he opened it with shaking hands and read what was inside. It said to meet them behind the burger joint, at twelve a.m. Luigi checked the time, nine p.m. He had time to get changed. He put all the burger stuff he owned, which was barely any. He left his building and walked to the burger place. When he got there, he saw about five robed figures, all wearing little burger pins. One of the robed figure waved him over.

"Luigi Lazzaretto," He called. "Do you have what it takes to join the Knights of the Burger?" Luigi stifled a laugh and nodded. "Then let the Tomato Trials begin!" Luigi looked around. Trials? He hoped they weren't life threatening.

"When do I-"

"You start now!" He yelled. "If you want to join us you must..." Luigi's heart pounded in is his ears. What is it? He thought desperately. "Cook the perfect burger." Luigi stared at him.

"That's it?"

"The punishment is death," He finished.

Luigi gaped at him. "You have one week," The robed figure said. They ran away and left Luigi there as he let the realization of his situation sink in.