After about twenty minutes, during which Viv grew increasingly perplexed, she approached him and asked, “Anything I can help you with?”
He glanced up, smiled brightly, and replied, “No, thank you!”
“Are you here for the free sample?” she pressed.
“Sample? Oh, no. Nothing for me, thanks!” Then he returned to his study.
Nonplussed, Viv returned to the counter, shaking her head.
He remained there for a full three hours, during which time he busily perused his reading materials, scrawled intermittently on a parchment, consulted his cupped hand again and again, and murmured to himself. Then he packed his things, rose, and approached the counter.
“Thanks ever so much,” he said, and with a genial nod, he left.
* * *
After too much listless pacing,Viv abruptly decided that some sort of action was required. She left Tandri with the shop and headed into the city, to the trade district up north. It wasn’t a market day, but she still managed to locate a big panel of slate at a sign-maker’s and some stubs of chalk. She even found multiple colors. She figured Tandri should have a palette to work with.
It felt good to bedoingsomething, at least. The morning rush had raised her expectations for the rest of the day, but on the walk back, she counseled herself against unreasonable hope. Certain hours were just better suited to the business. A restaurant was busiest at mealtimes, and a café was busiest… well, she supposed she was discovering when exactly that was.
* * *
“Oh, yes, this will workperfectly,”Tandri purred as she took the chalk and slate from Viv. She dug her wooden stencils out of the storage room, set up at the big table, and got to work.
While she drew, Viv stood in the doorway, looking up and down the street. Laney was out on her porch, sweeping as she always seemed to be, and waggled a cheery wave at her.
Was morningreallythe only time she could expect to do business? It certainly hadn’t seemed that way in Azimuth—the cafés there had been lively throughout the balance of the day. Perhaps prospects would improve if the idea caught on. She supposed tomorrow would give her an inkling.
When she re-entered the shop, she found Tandri examining the finished menu, which leaned against the wall. Again, Tandri’s script was far superior to Viv’s artistic endeavors, and she’d used the colors to excellent effect. Her text appeared beveled, almost leaping off the slate. She’d also taken some creative liberties with the wording.
~Legends & Lattes ~
~Menu~
Coffee ~ exotic aroma & rich, full-bodied roast—½ bit
Latte ~ a sophisticated and creamy variation—1 bit
*
FINER TASTES FOR THE
~ WORKING GENT & LADY ~
She’d even added an artistic rendering of a pair of beans and a mug with an artful curl of steam.
“I like it. You’re a hell of an artist.” Viv nodded. “Here, I’ve got a mallet in the back.”
Tandri held the sign level while Viv banged a few nails into the wall below the base as a sort of shelf.
“The slate was a good idea,” said Tandri. “We can change or add to it easily.”
“Change it?”
“If you decide to expand the menu. You never know.”
Viv looked around the place and sighed. “I’d hoped we’d have more after noon. Maybe around dinner? Doesn’t feel like it’s going to happen, though. I don’t know if expanding the menu is going to be a real concern any time soon.”
Tandri pursed her lips and tapped them with a forefinger. “Let’s wait and see what tomorrow morning brings.”
