Narrator: It was a pleasant October Tuesday in Normal, Illinois.

Narrator: The sun beamed brightly down from a clear blue sky, lighting up a town in the full embrace of autumn. Bright red, orange, and yellow leaves clustered on the trees and cluttered the ground, filling the air with the sound of rustling while a warm, southerly wind blew through.

[Sound of gentle wind blowing, leaves rustling]

Narrator: We find our protagonist in the downtown area of Normal. 

[Layer on the sound of cars running past]

Narrator: Elizabeth Aldridge is a young woman with fair skin and short black hair. She wore a white hoodie, unzipped, with a light blue tee shirt under it, light blue jeans, and sneakers. 

Narrator: She makes her living working as a freelance content specialist. Ordinarily, she would be busy in her office at home at this time of day. Today, though, she is taking a break, walking to her favorite place in town: the Japanese cafe Too Matcha to Handle.

[Layer on the sound of footsteps on pavement]

[Sound of door opening, shopkeeper bell ringing, door closing]

[Outside sounds cut out]

Narrator: It was a small cafe with room for less than a half-dozen tables inside. There were only two other people, the two baristas working the cafe that day.

Narrator: One of them was a tall young man with straight black hair, cropped short, a lean build, and dark skin. He wore a red button-up shirt with short sleeves, blue jeans, and a black apron with a name tag. The name tag read “Jackson”.

Narrator: His co-worker, a young man of medium height with longer brown hair, a muscular build, and light skin. His outfit consisted of a green tee shirt, brown slacks, and a black apron with a name tag that read “Louis”.

Elizabeth: Hello, hello!

Narrator: The two baristas looked in her direction at the sound of her entry. Jackson’s face lit up with a grin that split his face, while Louis wore a more despondent look.

Jackson (Jovially): Whyyy hellooooo, Eli, you came at the perfect time. In fact, why don’t I let Louis here buy you a drink? I know he’s good for it.

Elizabeth: Well, I won’t say no to free anything, but what’s going on?

Narrator: Hearing the confusion in her voice, Louis spoke up to clarify the preceding events. 

Louis: We just made a bet about whether or not you would come in today. He said that he had a strong feeling you would show up. I told him he was full of it, he said he wasn’t, I wagered money, he raised the stakes, we shook hands, and you walked in.

Narrator: Louis’s eyes widened briefly, and he leveled a cold glare at Jackson.

Louis: You cheated, didn’t you? She told you she was coming in today, and you decided to squeeze some money from me.

Jackson: Honestly, mate, I didn’t know she would show up. Like I said, I had a feeling that she would. …Although, I did see someone who might have been Eli crossing the street this way when I raised the stakes. 

Louis: …

Jackson: I couldn’t have been sure, though! That person was far away, and they were at an angle in the glass, so it doesn’t violate the betting rules!

Jackson: Anyways, isn’t there a drink you should be buying Eli right about now?

Louis: *grunt* At least you’re making the drinks today.

Jackson: [dramatically] So, what will you be having today?

Elizabeth: [matching tone] Hmmm, looking at the menu today… I think I’ll have a large matcha latte for here. Do you think I could afford a pastry today, Jackson?

Jackson: [exaggerated sound of deliberation] You know what, I think you could.

Louis: [grumbling] Oh, I bet she could.

Elizabeth: Hmmm. I think I’ll do the matcha chocolate cake, then. Nothing goes better with matcha than matcha, after all.

Jackson: Here you go, one matcha chocolate cake made this morning with lots of love and sugar. Now, let me just go get a matcha latte for you to wash that down with, and then you can tell us about your day.

Narrator: And so, Elizabeth sat down at one of the tables in the cafe, with Jackson bringing her latte out a little while later. She ate, drank, and shared with the two baristas she invited to sit with her, and they enjoyed the break together, enjoying their quiet friendship.