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Again. (Old)
Chapter 13: Breakfast

Chapter 13: Breakfast

Arthur awoke to knocking at his door.

That's probably Andrew. I must have slept in.

He got out of bed and put on his pants before walking to the door and looking out the peephole.

Andrew was standing outside the door holding two large bags in his hands and wearing a backpack on his back.

Arthur opened the door and let him inside.

“Good morning Arthur! How did you sleep last night?”

“Fine. I would have slept better if I didn't sleep in the clothes I found in a dumpster though.”

“Oh!” Andrew dropped one of the bags on the floor and rummaged through it. “I thought about that, so I brought you some new clothes today. I'll call someone and have them bring over some fresh sheets for your bed.” He handed arthur a black tee shirt, a pair of light gray sweat pants, and white underwear with a red heart pattern.

“What is this?” Arthur asked, holding up the underwear.

Andrew blushed a little and scratched his head, “ ah, that's just a little joke. I felt like things were kind of tense between us, so I got those to try to… lighten the mood I guess? There are normal ones in the bag if you'd prefer those.”

“No, these are fine.” Arthur said as he carried the clothes into the bathroom, “I'm going to take a quick shower, I'll be right out.”

Arthur stepped out of the bathroom wearing his new clothes, his long black hair still slightly wet.

The bed already had new sheets put on it, and Andrew was leaning on the door idly. He looked towards Arthur as he walked out.

“You take long showers!”

“Sorry, I still haven't really gotten used to washing long hair.”

“Haven't gotten used to it? How long have you had long hair?”

“Hmm… a little more than three years I think? This body was created when I came back in time, and it started off with long hair. Before that, I always had short hair. So yeah, only a little more than three years at this point.”

“That seems like enough time to get used to long hair to me.”

“Well, I lived forty something years with short hair beforehand, and I've been very busy the few years I've had long hair. I don't know, maybe it's just a problem with me. So, what are we going to do now?”

Andrew smiled, “there's a great diner nearby, we’re going to go there and discuss our plans over some breakfast.”

“Sounds good. Let's go.”

They walked into the diner together and sat down at a booth by a window.

“What are you gonna get?” Andrew asked as he picked up a menu and began to look through it.

“I don't know yet.”

A waitress with a large smile walked up to their table.

“Good morning! Are you ready to order drinks or do you need another minute?” She said in an almost annoyingly cheery tone.

“I'll have a coffee please.” Andrew said, not looking away from his menu.

“Just a water for me, thank you.” Arthur said.

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“Got it, I'll be right back!”

She began to walk away before being stopped by Andrew, “wait! I'd also like a glass of milk, please.”

She nodded, writing something on her notepad before walking away.

“Why did you order two drinks?” Arthur asked as he set down his menu.

“I like to put milk in my coffee.” Andrew responded, still looking through the menu.

“Why don't you just order your coffee with milk in it?”

“They get the ratio of coffee to milk all wrong. It's the one complaint I have about this place.”

“I see. Have you decided what you want yet?”

“No… everything here is just so good! It's too hard to decide.”

“Decide soon, we’re not just here for fun, we have important stuff to talk about.”

“I know, I know! Just give me a minute!”

After a few minutes, the waitress came back holding a tray of drinks. She set them down on the table one by one, then turned to look at Andrew.

“Are you ready to order yet?” She asked.

Andrew set the menu down and sighed.

“Yes, I think so.”

“Alright!” She said, taking out her notepad and pen and getting ready to write, “so, what can I get for you?”

“I'll have a waffle, please. Extra syrup.”

“Got it! And for you?” She turned to look at Arthur.

“I’d like the pancakes, please.”

“How many?”

“Hm… I'll have three.”

“Okay! Is that all?”

“Get us a side of bacon, six strips.”

“Got it! I'll be right back!”

She walked away quickly, carrying the empty drink tray under her arm.

Andrew took a sip of his coffee, then poured some milk into it and took another sip.

“Perfect…” he said under his breath.

“So, where should we begin?” Arthur said while tapping his glass.

“Ah, right. First off, I'd like more details on the future. Tell me everything you know in as much detail as possible.”

Arthur recounted what he could remember about the conditions of the world from his childhood before the dystopian government took over. Just as he was getting to the point where the government began to take over, the waitress came back with their food.

“Here you go!” She said as she placed the plates in front of Arthur and Andrew, “can I get you anything else?”

“No, we’re fine, thank you.” Andrew replied.

“Got it! I'll be back when you're done eating to give you the check.” She quickly walked away, disappearing into the kitchen.

“Alright, you can continue now.” Andrew said to Arthur as he cut off a chunk of his waffle and ate it.

Arthur went on, explaining everything from the point of government take over to when he was sent back in time.

“I see.” Andrew said as he ate the last piece of his waffle and drank the last bit of his coffee, which had gone cold by this point, “this will be more difficult than I anticipated.”

“Hello again! Here's your check!” The waitress seemingly appeared out of nowhere and placed the check on the table.

“Ah!” Andrew said, “I'm sorry, but it appears I've ‘left my wallet in summer'.”

The waitress's eyes widened a little and she quickly picked the check back up off the table.

“I'm very sorry sir!” She said, trying to keep her voice quiet, “I didn't know!”

“Oh please, don't worry about it. It'd be suspicious if you did know!” Andrew said as he stood up from the booth and stretched, “come on Arthur, let's go.”

“Have a very good day, sir!” The waitress said as Andrew and Arthur walked away.

“We will!”

“What was that?” Arthur asked.

“This diner was in a bit of trouble when I first tried it. They weren't making enough money to pay for their expenses. So, since I was really impressed by the food, I went to the owner and made a deal with them. I paid off most of their expenses, and in exchange members of the Weather Men above a certain rank get to eat for free. It's a very good deal for both of us.”

“Ah, I see. So what are we doing next?”

“We're going shopping! I may have given you enough clothes to live with, but I think you should pick some clothes for yourself, since I don't know what you prefer to wear.”

“You don't have to do that for me, I'm fine with the stuff you gave me already.”

“No! You're a very important man now Arthur, you deserve this.”

“No, really, I'm fine. Besides, I'm a bit too preoccupied with trying to save the world to worry about how I look.”

“These things are not mutually exclusive! Why just save the world when you can save the world in style? Besides, we’re already at the store, so might as well buy something while we’re here.”

“Fine…”

This is going to be a long day.