32 Nebulas and Mood Swings (2/2)

Alan, who was already in a bad mood, grunted and said, ”Opening hours are fluid.They depend on each day.”

Tom was helpless in front of this moody Alan and quickly changed his tune, trying to butter him up.”Of course they do.After all you work so hard.Did something happen today?Come, come tell Tom what's weighing on you.”

Alan was unimpressed, but unlocked the door and let Tom in.”Had to pay the loan.” He said shortly.

Tom showed a look of realization.”No wonder this guy is in such a bad mood.He had to pay bills.For a money grubber like him it must have been painful.”Tom took secret pleasure in Alan's misfortune as he gave him some very fake, superficial consolation.

Alan ignored him and went to prepare coffee.He made a cup for himself and Tom and took them out.

Tom paid in cash every time which was refreshing in this day and age.

Alan felt a little better as the coffee warmed him up.He chatted casually with Tom.

”When are you going to start serving food?” Tom asked hopefully.

He'd been pestering Alan about this for a while.If he could have breakfast and coffee here it would be perfect.

However, whenever he asked about this Alan always just brushed him off and said he'd serve food when he felt like it.Today, though, Alan surprised Tom.

”There should be food on the menu in the next week.”Alan said.

Tom looked shocked before growing excited.”Really?What are you going to serve?”

Alan shook his head.”Just wait and see.”

Though slightly dissatisfied with this answer, Tom obsequiously said, ”Of course, of course, I'm just excited is all.You have to tweet about it when you start serving food.It'll be a good way to draw in customers.”

Alan thought about this before deciding it made sense.He nodded.

Tom was thrilled.He knew it would be pointless to ask this guy to tell him ahead of time, but if he put it in terms of getting more business then he could convince this guy to announce it on Twitter at least.

Tom finished his coffee and went off to work, leaving Alan to his own devices.

Alan sat down at the desk in the kitchen and started up the laptop.He looked up the grocery service he'd used previously for basic supplies and began his order, making sure to restock on the supplies he'd run low on while also ordering the new ingredients he needed for the coffee cake.

Spending money left him in a foul mood once again, and he closed the laptop with a little more force than necessary before walking out of the kitchen to the lounge area of the cafe to wait for customers.

”System has detected that Host is suffering irregular mood swings.System advises Host to work on this before he breaks the laptop.”

Alan grumbled. ”Whose fault is that system?You're the one who made me take out a huge debt to start a cafe when I could have just rented a place.”

The system ignored him and Alan grumbled some more to himself before taking a deep breath and letting the negativity out with it.At the end of the day, even with the loan, he'd managed to earn money.It would only improve from here.Consoling himself with that thought he cleaned up the two empty coffee cups on the counter and prepared himself to face the customers.