Epilogue

The bustling of evening visitors spread through all the bars and cafés nearby, some were singing in chorus and demanding more drinks from the barman, others preferred spending weekend evenings in solitude of the mind, listening to either classic or modern tunes. Even though it might seem that a cafe would be a better place for peaceful leisure in company of friends, colleagues or ones own thoughts, but it was not the case for everyone. Baristas were working with no sense of time, after they are done with one drink, it was time to do the next one, then another, and another. And other workers could not slack as much as they wanted, their visitors, even though calm and quiet, could also be nasty in their demands and complaints. Their whining regarding the wrong temperature of coffee, lack of sweetness in the cake or its overabundance, even though both these pieces were taken from one piece. It was a stressful job that demanded patience, understanding and a mind empty of evil thoughts.

One of such places was "Monso Rooster" which was especially crowded due to its vogue in a small French town. Not only locals, but also tourists, were a common occurrence at this place. Whilst some might treat young workers with kindness, some upstairs would still expect a treatment as if they were kings visiting peasants far away from the capital.

Usually, it would irritate Eugene to a dangerous extent, but weirdly, now, he felt indifferent towards their unkind words of poison. Even when they were obviously in the wrong, like one round gentleman who was aggressively gesticulating while speaking. At one point, he hit Eugene from behind, and the man dropped a plate with some empty cups. It would not be much of a deal if dear guest would not complain about carelessness of the staff in his ugly German. He sure thought Eugene would not understand him, but this language was not a stranger for the man. And so, he faced the fat gentleman and said with a wry smile.

"Entschuldigung." then walked away to take a broom and clean up the floor.

Jessie, who stood by the counter, witnessed this farce, but as she was about to say something, Eugene whispered, "Fucking kraut."

The woman blinked a few times and said, "I am surprised you did not tell it to his face."

"He for sure deserves it, but…" The man took a broom out of the closet and continued, "listening to Arnold's lecture about decency and seriousness of my position is not in my to-do list."

And so the evening chaos continued until it was 10pm, the closing hours. For the first time in several hours, Arnold was able to leave the kitchen. His face was read and moist, hands were numb, but a soft smile still resided within his cheeks. It rose even further when his gaze fell on his workers, who were tirelessly cleaning the place.

The boss of the place came closer to Eugene, stood beside him for a few seconds, and walked further towards the massive painting at the back of the café. He was observing it with his hands locked behind his back and diving in whatever thoughts. At one point, Eugene wondered, "Would not you even help us?"

Both Arnold and Jessie glanced at him, first spoke the woman, "As if you are working hard here."

"I am in fact working hard, Jessie!" frowned the man, to which Arnold said with a smile, "If so, then I would not want to disturb you two."

For reply, Eugene only snorted, but did not whine. There was not much work left to do in the first place. In ten minutes or so, the café was clean like after the renovation and all three of them observed the beauty of the interior with satisfaction. However, it was not yet time to close the place, a final visitor came in with no announcement, though with significant presence. Her black and golden dress glittered in the soft lights of lamps, along with golden hair that swayed like morning tides of the Mediterranean Sea.

She took one step inside the café and said, "Clean as ever, I see." Then she looked at the trio of workers and continued, "So, are you ready for another round of our little competition?"

Eugene made a step towards her and energetically said, "This time I will not lose to you, Sylvia."

"Bold words from the one who has six losses and zero wins." noticed Jessie, to which Eugene replied, "Bold words from the one who can't even properly make coffee."

Jessie snorted at this answer, and Arnold giggled, "Quite. Well then, let us all go to the kitchen."

Arnold went first, and three young people followed him. Despite this gathering being called a competition, the majority knew fairly well who would be the winner. And only one hopeful soul still believed in his ability to change this constant outcome.