Chapter 1 Part 4

After spending most of the morning job hunting, Cris was exhausted. He must of talk to about a dozen business owners all over the city. They all rejected him not because of his skills or attitude but the fact that he was not tagged. He couldn’t take it anymore, he was beat. It was noon and his stomach was not helping. With no food or good news his resolve was slowly crumbling.

“This sucks! How the hell am I supposed to show what I got if no one is going give me a shot.”

He continued to wander around aimlessly looking for any signs of work or food that could lift his spirits. The only silver lining he could find was that this situation was giving him an in depth tour of Axis. He did not care how the city looked anymore, just that wanted something to eat.

He found himself in front of a restaurant /café “Loco’s”. It was a small establishment hidden away from the main road. His hunger must have instinctively brought him here.

I’m broke, there is no way I can afford lunch. But I need fuel to keep going.

Cris stood in front of the door staring and thinking what he should do. After a few rumbles from his stomach he cave and entered.

A bell rang as soon as he opens the door. Once inside he was greeted by a waitress who gave a small bow and was standing behind a podium near the entrance. Cris’s eyes immediately darted over to waitress.

She was a sensual beauty with porcelain skin and had lustrous purple hair which was tied up in a ponytail. She was dress in an elegant hostess uniform, with a black tuxedo vest, white shirt, long black pants and a black apron around her waist. She was a little bit taller than Cris, with a slender build. Her uniform hide her womanly qualities but did not affect her overall appearance in fact it made Cris ponder what she could be concealing. She was attractive and gave the impression of being graceful and kind.

“Welcome sir. Table for one?”

She greeted Cris with such a radiant smile that matched her light blue eyes that he could not help feel like he was staring at the sun. She had a bit of funny accent which gave Cris the impression she must be from someplace from Eastern Europe.

O damn…

Cris was baffled, he did not expect such a woman to be in such a small café. Without much thought he nodded. He was led to a table and before he knew it he was seated.

Shit, I was so distracted I let my guard down. What now?

Before he could get up and escape, the waitress handed him a menu cutting off his retreat.

“Hello, my name is Loco, I will be serving you today. Can I get you anything to drink?”

 “I uh, I…”

He couldn’t put words together. If he had one weakness, it would be dealing with attractive women. Using the menu to break line of sight to hide his uneasiness, he needed a moment to pull himself together. Cris had no money, there is no way he could afford anything, but he didn’t want to disappoint the waitress who took the liberty to seat him. A moment of awkward silence descended as he could not bring himself to even look at her. Understanding the moment the waitress seized the initiative.

“I can come back when you’re ready. Pardon me.”

“Wait… I uhhhhh… my name is…”

Without thinking Cris gave the introduction he has been pitching the whole morning. He fumbled and rushed over certain parts due to embarrassment but he managed to get through the entire intro and the events leading him here in less than a minute.

The woman stood there silently, deep in thought processing what she heard.

Crap, I made myself look like a loser.

The woman took a seat across from Cris, she gently lowered the menu and was looking straight at him trying to establish eye contact. This action caused Cris eyes to run wild. He had no control on where they were going or what they were staring. She gave a graceful smile putting Cris a little at ease but her next words shattered him.

“Your one of those.”

That again. What the hell is that supposed to mean, is it bad? The way she said doesn’t sound bad. BUT NOT LIKE THIS.

“But it sounds like you had it rough. An elite like you should not go through such burdensome tasks.”

IT’S OVER… Wait is she being nice?!?

“I believe you, you have what it takes to climb to the top.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Cris could finally look her in the eye. He had to make sure that what she said was true, in the past he was scammed before, he would not fall victim again so easily. 

“You think so?”

She gave a gentle but soothing smile.

“Of course, Mr. Philips is special. Not all new arrivals could have made as far as Mr. Philips. I believe you will be the next champion in no time.”

Cris mind went blank as he just sat there staring. Any uneasiness or frustration he accumulated had suddenly vanished. He could not believe this was happening that someone actually believed in him.

“I think it’s quite admirable, that you are willing to sacrifice so much in order to achieve your dream.”

“Yeah. Yeah. It hasn’t been easy but it’s something I must do. I will be the best in no time.”

Sitting back and relaxing a bit, Cris started brag about telling about all he accomplished before coming to Axis. At the end, the waitress clasps her hands together as she stated.

“Yes. Yes. A legend has truly come to Axis. You will be known by all and there will be a lot more fans like myself who will see Mr. Philip for his greatness.”

“Yep, I am greaaaaat. Did you just say you’re my fan?!?”

“Of course. After hearing what Mr. Philips accomplished who wouldn’t be a fan? Mr. Philips is awesome.”

Are you serious? My first fan and she looks like this.

“But for Mr. Philips to continue on his journey he must eat.”

“Yup. As my fan I think I am entitled to a meal.”

Cris was back to his old self, for some reason he could casual talk to her now without fumbling his words. He couldn’t help but let a cheeky grin that things may finally be turning around for him.

Finally, someone sees me for what I am.

“Of course. However I don’t believe in a free meal. I am a business woman after all. How about a trade instead?”

“Trade?”

“Yes, unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Swagger Signing Event because of work. I am such a huge fan but I couldn’t meet him.”

Loco frowned as she lowered her head as if she was about to cry. She shot Cris a pleading look in hopes he would comply with her request. Without a second thought, he pulled out the unwanted poster that now finally could be put to good use. He unrolled out on the table displaying its authenticity in front of Loco, who was slowly inching her hand towards it.

“May I?”

Cris nodded.

“Yes, how can I let my first fan down? But you sure…”

“Yes!”

She quickly snatched it and pulled it to her side and swapped it with the menu.

“You can have anything on the left side and one beverage.”

I could get more out of this, but she looks so happy now.

“Ok.”

Cris open the menu and browsed thought his options.

What is this? These names… TriHard Burger, Baby Rage Ribs, Scrub Sliders.

Cris double check the menu to verify what he saw was right. He looks over to the waitress who was admiring her recent acquisition. He question why would someone write a menu like this and it was only on the left side. His stomach rumbled as he did not care anymore nor would he pass up the opportunity to get rid of that shitty autograph.  

Whatever, this is for my fan. I will not let her down.

“I’ll get the TriHard Burger and the chill bro shake.”

“Of course. Right away!”

She got up taking her prize autograph with her. As she was walking away she turn around holding up Swagger autograph.

“One day. I will ask for yours.”

She gave a gentle smile as she left to go place the order.

Cris could not contain his joy. He cracks a smile and small laugh.

Fan. Food. Future. I should not have never doubted myself, I owe it to her. My future fans. I will not give up EVER. I am awesome.

With the distraction of the waitress gone, Cris could finally take a look around. The restaurant was not big but could fill a few dozen people. Near the entrance was a small lounge fill with leather sofas and arm chairs with a glass table in the middle. In the back there were booths and tables with a hallway leading to the back and restroom. On the other side of him was a bar with a few large TVs hanging from the ceiling and some planks hanging on the wall. The waitress looks like she was hanging something on the wall. 

Seeing her again, Cris couldn’t help but replay of what just happen in his head over and over again. Then he heard a loud thud, his order came out. Instead of the waitress it was a man this time. He was a short, tan, brawny man wearing the same style uniform but for men and without the sleeves. On his right arm he had a tattoo that look like a panther bearing its teeth. He had a bald tan head which seemed to reflect every light in the café, he did not even look at Cris. He placed the plates and glass nowhere near Cris and left without saying a word.  

 Rude, Peanut Head. Bring back that hot nice waitress.

Cris didn’t care, nothing could destroy the way he was feeling now. He pulled the plates and glass over in front of him. Plate one potato wedges with a small plastic cup of ketchup. Plate two the burger split in two with the patty and bun left side, right side bun, tomato, lettuce, bacon. Last dish the shake with wipe cream and a cherry on top.

Drooling a bit in his mouth as he assembles the burger, he took one final look to savior the moment before taking a bit.

I’m gonna enjoy this. I’m sooo hungry.

Cris shoved the burger in his mouth without any hesitation. The size of the burger was small enough to fit in his mouth but something stopped him from taking a second bite.

Something is missing? Sauce? Topping? No, I don’t know what.

The burger was good and Cris was too hungry to complain but it felt incomplete. The burger was missing something that could take the taste to the next level from good to great. He took another bite and another until it was gone.

Still, it was good.

He took his time with the wedges and shake unlike the burger. After 15 minutes he finished up.

Do I need to leave a tip?

The waitress came by to clean up.

“How was it? Did you enjoy it?”

“It was soooo good. I definitely needed that.”

Could have been better, but I was on the verge of death so I can’t complain.

“Of course. Don’t worry about a tip. I would hate to delay the future champ anymore.”

Returning the compliment with a smile, Cris got up and collected his things and was ready to resume his quest to find a job or a way into Digital.

She’s right. I have to get going. Just like a fan to always be supportive.

“Yep. Thanks for the food. I’ll make sure everyone will know about this place when I get to the top.”

She gave a big smile as she bid farewell to Cris.

“Looking forward to it. Come again!”

As Cris departed the restaurant, with a full belly and a reaffirmed resolve. It gave him the necessary push to continue forward.

This time will be different. With a fan cheering me on. I can’t fail.