Luke left the capsule late at night and went straight to bed. Can’t say he felt tired or anything, but Luke still managed to sleep for 8 straight hours. Satisfied with the humble accomplishment he took a shower, shaved and even took care of his sociopath-like hairstyle. Obviously - Luke was not planning on diving back into the capsule. Why would he waste so much effort on personal hygiene and looks? Considering that none of it had any influence within alternative reality after character creation.

Indeed. Luke decided to make a few stops outside. As any other high-level quest and adventure with heavy casualty rate, he needed to get ready before it starts.

If we take a standard working weekday, using busy Luke as an example, his day would consist of – sleep, eat, work, eat, work, sleep. Simply taking away all the sleep was not an option at all. Thus he decided to combine the two remaining parts of that back-breaking busy life of his. Like a two-for-one sale. Luke smiled at himself in the mirror. Then he stopped and decided to put a note somewhere – reminding him not to try that again anytime soon.

Thus today’s schedule would involve - eat, annoy innocent hard-working individuals and finish his weekly quota. Maybe barely escape with his teeth intact. A busy day before an exciting event. Considering that if things go well, he won’t be free for at least two straight days, Luke needed to free up his schedule.

Luke dressed casually. Blue skinny jeans, a white long-sleeve shirt – buttoned up only half way. And a black t-shirt underneath. As if to create the perfect opportunity to show off the clothes he wears only on rare occasions - the temperature was just right. When he actually goes out, that is.

Downtown - at least 6 blocks away from his apartment. Considering that he visited quite a few spots over the course of his employment – Luke had to travel far. He just didn’t want to risk anything. Any unwelcome and “unexpected” injuries or accidents…

A neat little out-door café. Not too costly, calm. Mostly female personnel – a lesser chance of getting his legs broken or anything of the sort. Time for action.

Luke awkwardly ordered a cup of green tea, 6 different buns and today’s breakfast – bacon and eggs. Original. He decided to make sure he’s not in some American neighborhood later.

This needy customer made sure that his tea, together with the buns - would be brought in after his main course of bacon and eggs was finished.

Thus with no hurry in sight, he ate away with little worry, observing the waitresses and the guests. Slowly, yet unnoticeably sinking into melancholy. He still felt uncomfortable outside of his quiet little sanctuary. Like he was somehow out of place, like he didn’t belong. As if he was in some giant scheme, with everyone being in it and him being the target. Everyone but him - in their own little world, behind some glass, while Luke was left on the other side. Observing, alone. Sometimes they’d look back at him – with curiosity, more often with distain. Dedicating him as the strange one, instead of everyone else being so.

This seemed like a nice little place though. Everyone was lost in their own little thing, busy in that hectic life of theirs. Until they needed to order. Seemingly, the staff also looked like an “ok” bunch of people. Feigned interest and politeness, sure. But it was much worse in other places. This almost made him feel bad about causing trouble. A job was a job though. Nothing personal as his classmates used to say while stuffing his things into a garbage can.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

With the breakfast course finished, Luke waited for the remainder of his order while looking at the mobile phone. 10 minutes. That’s how long he had to wait until it arrived. Not too long, normally he wouldn’t care. He was working now though, thus he was forced to be picky. Forced, that’s the excuse he enjoyed using. Circumstances forced his hand, with him having barely anything to do with it.

Anyway, since during his younger days, Luke experienced an overabundance of attention directed at him, he grew up with a strange habit. A habit of putting on a show like everyone was watching him. During this particular situation it was usually useful. Though in most cases it just got the “weird eye” directed at him. Still served as an attention grabber though. Hard to say if he was used to act like he was at the center of attention, or unconsciously attempted to receive it once again, to fill up the void.

And the show was on. Luke lifted the teacup to his lips. Took a sip. Stopped, and with furrowed brows glared at the poor inanimate object. Obviously, he was dissatisfied with something. Luke placed the teacup back from whence it came – directed his attention at the buns instead. Moved them around. Once, twice. Thrice for good measure. Furrowed his brows again.

Luckily, by now the waitress noticed his act and walked right into it. Today was Luke’s lucky day.

 “Excuse me, is something wrong?” – She asked politely, giving Luke a reproachful look.

Over the years Luke realized, that he’s only comfortable with other people, when the feeling of superiority is present. When he finds himself in a better position or is somehow leading the conversation. Since Luke was socially awkward, he could only feel so while being angry, mean or simply rude. Of course, it’s not like he actually felt superior in any way. More like he forgot the inferiority complex of his. Luke simply forgets his awkwardness when he’s in the “cold-blooded, rude bastard” mindset.

“Yes, actually there is” – He shifted the teacup towards the waitress – “What is this?”

She raised one eyebrow – “A cup of green tea sir”

Funny. Guess it will turn into a battle of wits. Luke felt sweat running down his back.

“Yes, but I ordered black tea” – Luke replied curtly, while continuously staring at the poor victim.

“Sir, I’m positively sure you asked for green tea” – The waitress replied after a few seconds of fidgeting, shaken by such an insignificant issue.

Good, the conversation was going into a cliché argument, one which Luke practiced in. Inside his head. At least a thousand times. He felt prepared for his.

“No, I always order black tea. I doubt this was an exception. But if only it were the tea, I wouldn’t have bothered. Look here” – Luke continued, tapping his finger near the plate of buns – “I also ordered 2 cinnamon buns, two with strawberry filling, one with caramel and one with raspberry. Do you see any buns with raspberry filling?” – A barely visible smirk. He got her.

The waitress looked at the plate, at her notebook, at the plate again. She was lost.

“B-but sir, I don’t see it written down in my notebook…the raspberry bun I mean” – She fidgeted.

Attempts at finding an excuse, an escape. Luke was familiar with that mindset. He got an easier mark. She was obviously new, not used to the job. Not used to troublesome, frustrated and always unhappy customers like Luke. He won.

It went down quite easily after that, the shift manager came over. After a brief discussion, the waitress apologized to Luke and he got his second part of the meal for free. Didn’t make him feel a better person. On the contrary. Situations like this usually served as ignition, starting a never-ending self-pity marathon inside his head.

But the usual thought-process was interrupted by a sudden disturbance. Didn’t this happen before, somewhere?