Echoes Of The Underground

3: Getting Tickets

Ramen's POV

Friday.

It's always incredibly busy on Fridays and on the weekends.

Every seat in this very restaurant is full. I already got stressed out from the traffic today when I took Oyuki to daycare. Even though I'm "just a waiter", my neck already hurts from turning my head to anyone who asks for our service, "Order here!" I heard a man's voice calling for me, and I turned around to see that guy.

They look familiar. Too familiar. They look like the guy who always stand outside the restaurant on weekends.

"Hello! What can I get you today?" I ask them while opening my tablet to take note of their order. He crosses his arms right on his chest, above his large stomach that his blue and white checkered buttoned up shirt can barely cover. I can smell the cigar on him like he just smoked, "Hey there, young man. Get me a canned beer and my usual" What's his usual order? Does he even have one?

"I'm sorry, your usual? I didn't know you had one, sir. Did you tell one of my colleagues about that?" we have a thing that we would know a certain customer's usual order, when they order the same thing over and over again. Obviously.

If we already trust the person enough, we sometimes (rarely) put their food on the house as a thank you for supporting the establishment, "What do you mean you don't know?! I come here everyday?!" this boomer exclaimed right at my face.

Yeah, you do. Everyday outside the store watching us, dumb ass.

"I'm really sorry, but I don't have any idea what your usual order is. I could ask my coworkers if they know, if you don't mind" I did my best to sound polite, but his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes widened, followed by a loud groan, "Are you deaf?! Listen, boy. I come here every weekend, so why can't I have my food?! Food service was better back then. I just show up all the time, and they get me my food for free!"

Woah, grandpa. Simmer down. If you really want that better service like you claim, then go back to the year you came from. That ain't my problem so don't blame it on me. Plus, you look like you have money so why not pay for it instead?

The sound of rushed footsteps are approaching right behind me. I took a peek from behind and it was Logan. He has this one trademark to almost cuss out the customers who disrupts the environment. He's one of the few who has the guts to go all out, and is like the restaurant's secret weapon (corny I know). I'm not saying that I can't do it. I just often choose to be patient and let the stress fly by.

"Okay, boomer. You better put your attitude where your mouth is. We have no idea who you are. We know you have never set foot in this place before. The only thing that we remember about you is that you're the weird guy who watches by the window. In fact, we once saw you on one of our CCTV cameras doing inappropriate stuff behind the store after you ogle at people. "

Oh damn, he lost it. Good.

I started backing up a bit, and yes I know I look awkward. Everyone is staring at the three of us so why wouldn't I? One of our female waiters Laira Xin became concerned and stepped in to hopefully calm things down. She's very kind and the most helpful person in the staff but the scariest one when mad.

"Ramen, back me up on this one will ya?" she asks me with a serious expression on her face. I reluctantly just nodded at her silently, and Logan and I watched her "defuse" the situation. Oh, this is gonna be good 'cuz shit's about to go down.

Let's just say the next thing we know is that she started swinging. I can see our boss holding his phone to probably take a video. It doesn't bother that much, he also feels the same way abut the dude. Logan and I tried to pull them apart. Lucky for him we didn't joined in because her strong ass right cyborg arm is enough.