THE NIGHT SHIFT

11.53 THE FIRST CUSTOMER

We're mindlessly chatting as if we were two friends catching up in a coffee shop rather than coworkers at work when the doors swing open.

"I'll take this one" I tell him before grabbing my notepad and walking towards the customer. It's an old skinny man, with white hair and a couple bald spots. His skin has a weirdly blueish color, like a zombie.

"Hello, how can I help you sir?"

I wait for an answer that comes surprisingly late, after he slowly turns his head around as if it was an extremely hard motion.

"Uhm, yeah...a double bacon cheeseburger and... a favor"

I was writing on my notepad but I froze at the last word.

"A... a favor?" I ask quietly.

"Yes, could you do me a favor, kid?"

Before I can answer he puts his hand in his pockets and takes out an envelope with an address written on it. I don't know why but it gives me goosebumps and I just know something's wrong, so I turn to Ace to ask for help, but he's obviously playing mobile games and doesn't see me.

"You see, my wife lifes a couple blocks away, her address is on the envelope. It would mean a lot to me if you could bring her this".

"Sir, I'm sorry but I don't thing I'm allowed to"

"Oh but please it's very close"

"Well I'm working-" He interrupts me.

"Oh but please young lady, help an old man like me".

Although he's speaking to me in such a polite tone, I feel like there's nothing polite about him, he isn't asking me to do him a favor, he's trying to force me.

Once again I turn around seeking my coworker's help but the man grabs my hands.

"Oh come on, it's a couple minutes away. I'm sure you're a coworker's fine covering for you" his grip on me tight and painful.

"Ok, ok!" I say and he lets go of my hands " I'll do it".

He looks satisfied so smiling he gets up and leaves.

"Didn't he order anything?" Ace asks in his joyful ignorance.

"Definitely no, he was really weird. He gave me an envelope and told me I had to delivery it to his wife's house"

"What?" his usual cheerfulness is now replaced with confusion and worry.

"Are we even allowed to do that?" he asks as I take off my apron.

"I don't think, so no"

"So what are you doing?!"

"I don't really know, but that guy was creepy as hell. I guess I'm doing it, you can cover for me right?"

"Uhm yes I think I can but you're joking, right? I mean you won't actually go out alone at midnight to an unknown address just because a creepy stranger told you to."

"I just have this gut feeling telling me that I shouldn't do it... and somehow it just makes me wanna do it more"

"You're crazy, good luck getting killed" He says as I'm walking out.