new places, new faces {isaac}

[LYNDEE PRIEST]

Competition wasn’t a thing Lyndee Priest ever worried herself over.

That’s why, when a coffee shop opened up across the street from her tea shop, she was more excited than she was worried. From what she’d heard and seen, the two places were as different as could be. Hers was pastel colors and peace and tea, while that one was dark and musky and coffee. She’d been told that there were only males working there, and that there seemed to be some sort of prison theme. With a name like Mug Shots, Lyndee found she was not at all surprised. In fact, she was really impressed (and sort of amused). She’d decided quite early on that one of the things she had to do as soon as possible was to go over to meet and congratulate the owner.

Her café kept busy despite the coffee shop opening. Her regulars still visited her and she could still rely on not having a moment to breathe during her rush times. Lyndee wasn’t sure when Mug Shots had its busy hours, but she chose to head over there during her slow ones. When she told her employees where she was headed, they first promised to be on their best behavior, and then they snickered a little amongst themselves. Because they’d heard things about the owner that they’d neglected to tell their boss, and they couldn’t wait to see what sort of mood she’d be in when she got back. It was hardly fair, really.

Still in her curly pink wig and apron, Lyndee carefully crossed the street, admiring the shop front while she approached it. Well, it really did look like an interesting place to have coffee. Opening the door and stepping in, Lyndee moved off to the side so as not to be in anybody’s way. She took in the building bit by bit, noticing first the way it was decorated and then the feel of it and then the type of music quietly playing. She really would have to give the owner props. From everything she’d heard, it was much more impressive in person. If Pipin’ Hot Tea didn’t exist (God forbid), she could imagine frequenting this place for the atmosphere alone.

Lyndee stood quietly by herself, smiling a little at the familiar sound of softly chattering customers and the smell of coffee and fresh baked goods. It was this that she loved so much about little shops and cafés like this. She hoped people had the same feelings about her tea café as she did right now about being here. When Pipin’ Hot Tea had first opened, she’d definitely had this feeling all the time. Now, of course, it was like second nature to her. A day without it was no day at all. So as not to disturb the employees, Lyndee seated herself at an empty table, and closed her eyes, taking a moment to soak it all in.

outfit

[ISAAC BRENNAN]

Isaac poured different ingredients into mugs and blenders with a somewhat shocking speed. He knew it all by heart, after all, and it came rather second nature. Mug Shots hadn't been dreadfully busy, but the morning had been steady and Isaac was pleased by how it had turned out. He had resolved to hire some new people however, because his three employees just weren't going to cut it."We need another Detox, Boss," Jack called to him from the counter. His friend looked exhausted and quite irritated.

As Isaac made the hot chocolate, he called over his shoulder.

"Jack, go on break. Garrett, take over for him."

"Thanks, man."

Isaac made some finishing touches to his coffee masterpieces and placed them on a tray. He emerged from the back and hand delivered each drink to the customers at their seats. He chatted with them and laughed a little, graciously accepted praise and congratulations. Isaac made them all promise, however, that before they would leave, they would come over to the section of the store set up like a police station. Instead of comfortable booths, there were benches and a place to stand in front of a polaroid camera. Each customer could have their own mug shot taken and posted up on the wall.

It would be easy, that way, to recognize frequent customers and it was a fun activity for everyone to participate in. Earlier, a three year old had accompanied his mother and, in addition to a sugar cookie (on the house) the little boy had gotten his own mug shot. Never had an inmate looked happier than that boy with sugar coating his face.

Isaac decided to start making rounds and took a few orders himself. A few tables away, he looked up when the door opened. A young lady came in and settled herself down at a table. Isaac couldn't help the somewhat sour look that came over him. She wore the most obnoxious pink wig, unless, god forbid, that was her real hair. It was unfortunate, for she had a lovely face and seemed delicate and graceful. But anyone who willingly wore that wig..

He recognized her. He had seen her across the street, at the tea place. Wondering if she worked there, he grimaced at the idea of all the employees being dressed that way.

But no matter. Isaac put on a smile and walked over to her table, a notepad open, ready to take her order.

"Hello there. Thanks for stopping in. Is there anything I can get for you? I can acquaint you with our menu, if you're not familiar."

What He Is Looking Like Today

[LYNDEE PRIEST]

Upon her first look about the shop, she hadn’t noticed the police station. How could she have missed something so creative and genius and wonderful? It had to be one of the most clever things she’d ever come across regarding sticking to a theme. Had she ever been to place that worked this hard to keep things consistent? Not a single one came to mind off the top of her head. From where she sat, she could already see a good number of pictures up on the wall. Some had tried to pull off the angry mug shot look, but most of them just looked totally blissed out. It was such a nice touch.

It was definitely already a popular coffee shop. Props to the owner. She didn’t see many employees about, and she wondered if the owner was short staffed. Out from the back came a staff member, balancing a tray of drinks. He seemed friendly and he interacted well with all of his guests. It was nice to see. Looking back at her table, she realized there was a menu to browse. She did just that, opening it up to see if it followed the theme just as well. She wasn’t disappointed. At some of the names and descriptions, she laughed, and at some others, she thought maybe just that once coffee could be better than tea.

Before she could look into it much further, somebody was talking to her. She looked up from the menu to see the same employee that had been going around before. Lyndee smiled up at him, closing her menu. “Hello! Hi, yeah. Uh. I work across the way, at the tea café.” She took a second to glance out the window to make sure it hadn’t caught fire or something. “I thought I would come over and check out the competition.

[/color]” She sounded entirely teasing now, making it clear just how worried she wasn’t.

“Yeah, please. What’s your most popular drink so far?[/color]” That’s what she’d like to try. Oh! Wait, before she sent him off, she obviously had to ask to see the owner. “Is the owner terribly busy right now? I wanted to congratulate them.[/color]” It hadn’t occurred to her that this man might be him, but she didn’t want to assume either way. Besides, if this was him, she couldn’t keep him busy. He obviously had a bustling shop to run. And she had a lunch rush to get ready for, anyway.

outfit
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[ISAAC BRENNAN]

She was much prettier up close. Speaking in a sweet, clear voice, she greeted him kindly. It seemed that she had a very normal and very feminine disposition, but one could hardly be sure of these things by the first impression. And now it was much easier to see that she definitely wore a wig. She confirmed his belief that she might work at the tea place, and he nodded, a small, somewhat reluctant smile on his face.

"I don't mean to be rude, but.. Does your boss make you wear that wig? Do all your employees do that? I mean.. couldn't that be considered cruel and unusual punishment? I think it fits in more with the theme here than over there.."

Isaac chuckled a little. They would look so ridiculous. He sincerely hoped no guys worked there. Their poor dignity..

"I'm not sure about competition. Personally, between tea and coffee, I don't see any competition. But perhaps the New Yorkers see things differently. After all, New York isn't notorious for their coffee drinkers, right?"

Isaac's tone was laid back and a little playful, but there was a sort of patronising nature to it, as if he was looking down on this girl as naive and silly. Which she probably was.

"Right now, the most popular one is called a Strip Search," his lips pulled into a smirk as his eyes grazed over her once and then to the menu in front of her, opening it and pointing on the page.

"The smallest size has five espresso shots. It's just about the hottest we can make it without completely injuring ourselves or others. It's not bitter, but it definitely gets you going. It's smooth and has dark chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla in it."

He held out his hand to shake hers.

"Actually, that would be me. Isaac Brennan. Pleased to make your aquaintance."

Hm. That sounded oddly formal.