The Cookie Concept (on Hold)

6) The Secret Smoothie Society

6) The Secret Smoothie Society

The best types of shops are the ones that are open until the early morning. Take Kmart as an example. If I want to buy a fuzzy cushion, a box of plastic balls and a mug with a corgi in a Thor costume printed on the front I can acquire this at 11:30 at night if desired.

But then again, nothing good comes out of decisions made after 9 pm.

When Sasha suggests that we get a drink after work my mind immediately goes to a family sized bottle of chocolate milk from the convenience store. She has other ideas.

The bright neon sign shines in the dark night, lighting up the surrounding buildings.

I pause at the door when I recognise where we are. "Smoothies. No, it's too late to drink blended fruit."

"Come on it not that bad. My main man Kyle is here," Rolling her eyes ushering me into the store which has some overplayed pop song playing in the background. The vibrant colours and tapestries on the wall clash with the white fluorescent lights. Shops should not be this bright at this time of night.

The guy behind the counter gives me a friendly wave while filling the straw dispenser. I don't trust him.

"Is this the part when you reveal you're actually a psychopath who has a dead body in the boot of your car and you need me to help burying it? Well too bad, I don't do physical activity."

I'm surprised to hear her laugh at my refusal "Chill your beans dude, we're here to obtain a well-deserved iced beverage for all our hard work."

"We refilled the chocolate fountain and ate all the leftover canapes."

She winks "Exactly. Hard work. Now pick something, I'm buying." my eyes wander to the large menu listed in front of us.

I skim over the menu scanning my limited options, "Are there any drinks without fruit in them? Like a normal chocolate thick shake or even frozen yoghurt would be nice?" I ask now looking at the display shelf of paleo snacks.

"If you don't like a something just ask them not to put it in the drink and they can add cacao powder if you want a chocolaty flavour." She suggests after ordering herself a 'blooming green machine' drink.

Hesitating, I take a step towards the counter which has a splatted paint effect that gives the illusion of spilt smoothies. "Oh hi, can I get the protein punch smoothie but without the strawberries, chia seeds, Kale, dates or yoghurt?"

Kyle blinks. Lifting his eyes from the computer screen to stare at me. "So you want Oreos, peanut butter and milk?"

"Yes. You see, I have fructose intolerance. Which mean no fruit or vegetables otherwise I'll become bloated like a balloon."

He pauses for a second then gives a forceful smile saying 'I'd rather be anywhere but here' "Sure. What type of milk would you like?"

"I have options?"

"Skim, lactose-free, soy, almond, macadamia, rice, coconut-" he says with a bored tone.

"What's next, yak milk?" I joke.

The blank expression is as close as I get to laughter, "We don't get that in until next week."

"Okay. Can I just get normal milk? The one that preferably comes from a cow. Oh but not skim, I don't trust cows that produce healthy milk."

He shakes his head while putting through my order without a word. Tough crowd.

After collecting from Kyle we thank him and making our way to a booth in the middle of the surprisingly not empty shop. Who knew smoothies at midnight were a thing?