The Crooked Mirror

Chapter 2. The Invitation.

The alarm clock rang for the fifth time, but Alice heard it for the first one. The last alarm. She have to run. In the tram, she put on make-up, or rather corrected what was left from a few hours ago. Sleepily, she knocked on the door. Nicholas looked up from the counter. He was calm but not fully awake yet. He smiled slightly when he saw her. He had recruited her here. She liked sharing shifts with him. He was the perfect boss. Understanding, relaxed, but also understood that around the seventh hour of work, the gray cells refused to obey. He was a very smart guy. What not to say about his girlfriend.

„I see that the night was successful" he threw a smile at the sight of her makeup from yesterday.

„You will always notice everything. Yes, it was cool." Alice walked around the counter and went into the back room to change. The oven was already on and the defrosted bread smelled fresh. Alice changed to her work clothes. Lastly, she put on a black apron and plastic gloves. She reviewed the orders for today.

„Sandwiches unchanged?" she shouted, looking at the chart hanging in front of her.

„Yes," Nicholas quickly shouted back.

The recipes were simple, usually three ingredients. Good thing they didn't open until half an hour later. Repetitive application of ingredients was the only thing she could afford. The door opened.

„We open in half an hour" replied Nicholas.

„But I need coffee now! My train is leaving soon!"

„I'm sorry, but we can't. We don't have the cashier open yet."

The man cursed Nicholas and the world, then went on his way. Through the glass walls in the underground corridor, it could be seen that the man wasn't in the hurry. Alice went out to the coffeeshop counter.

„Next freeloader?" she asked. Nicholas shook his head.

„No, more of a corporate type. Those who always think they deserve it all."

Alice laughed.

„You'll soon be a corporate man too"

Nicholas winked at her

„But I'm not yet."

Alice went back to making sandwiches. Every now and then she would take them to the counter. They had everything set up in half an hour. More and more people appeared behind the windows. The corridors of the Central Station were slowly filling up. People rushed past with suitcases and bags. Children cried and parents screamed. Alice went to the door and turned the key. Before she could hide behind the counter, twenty people poured in. They shouted at each other, stamped their feet and nervously looked at their watches. A black shadow flashed past Alice. A cold breeze mixed with the smell of station toilets blew over her back and then turned with a boy dressed in black jeans and white sneakers to the back.

„Late as usual," muttered Alice.

„Oh, don't report me, beautiful," Patrick muttered politely. He quickly put on his apron and before she knew it, he was standing next to her.

„You know how Nicholas gets angry when I'm late," he said, walking behind her with cherry meringue.

„It's 30.90. Card?" Alice pointed to the terminal. When the woman left, she turned to Patrick. „You think he didn't see you coming? After all, there's nowhere to hide here." Alice pointed to Nicholas cleaning a table on the other side. He didn't look in their direction, but there was something fishy about his composure. As he approached, he seemed surprised to see Patrick there.

„And you here?" he asked with feigned surprise.

Patrick was confused.

„Yeah, I did sign up in the graph"