11 Making A Choice 1 (2/2)

”Hey you can't just brush this off with a simple 'rules are rules'.What's your next step?Are you working at a new cafe?”

Alan shook his head.He wasn't sure what answer to give.

”Host, a friendly reminder, your customer can't actually see you shaking your head over the phone.”

Alan's mouth hung open, before he shut it with an audible clack as he ground his teeth.He thought to himself, ”Thank you for that reminder system.I am aware that he can't see me.”

”System is just making sure Host.Host has demonstrated obliviousness before.”

Alan ignored the system and responded to Tom who was still waiting for an answer.

”I'm not working anywhere at the moment.I'm not sure what I'll do going forward yet.”He didn't want to tell his customer that he'd just been denied a bank loan.

”That's not acceptable!” Tom exclaimed before coughing to cover up his indignation.”I mean, you're young, you can't let yourself be stopped by such a small setback.How about I introduce you to a cafe in my building?”

Tom waited in anticipation, excited at the idea that he'd be able to have that coffee again whenever he wanted.

Alan hesitated, but finally said, ”No.I don't think so.My rules are going to get in the way of a barista job anywhere I work.”

Tom nearly screamed in frustration.”Well, you can't give up on your coffee making career!”

Alan noticed at this point that something was strange about this conversation.Thinking about it, he realized that Tom must be craving his coffee.An idea popped into his head.

He sighed audibly on the phone.”There's nothing I can do.I just left the bank.I tried to get a loan to start my own cafe.Sadly, they refused to lend to me.”

Tom grew silent on the other end of the line.”You're trying to start your own cafe?”He asked hesitantly.

”Yeah,” Alan said.”I thought that if I ran my own cafe no one would be able to fire me for enforcing my rules.”

Tom grew thoughtful.”This is a good opportunity,” He thought.”I can rent him a space in my building and have his coffee whenever I want!Not to mention, it gives me leverage to be his landlord; I can make him break his rule and serve me coffee more often.”He found himself chuckling as he thought of this.

”Tom?” Alan said in confusion.”What's that sound?”

Tom hurriedly stopped his chuckling.

”I just thought of an idea,” Tom exclaimed excitedly.”How about I rent you a space in my office building?”

Alan hesitated.This was a pretty good opportunity.He'd be able to run his own cafe, and build up experience and funds.However, he wouldn't be able to advance further in the missions.He didn't think he could be successful in the long term relying only on his ultimate cup of joe.

”Am I going to do this?” He thought to himself.