The morning was gray, a light sprinkling of rain misting over the town and dampening all the surfaces. The kind of rain that left each inhale wet and exposed skin feeling clammy. The kind of rain that was just, simply annoying. Gutters ran with dainty streams and puddles formed in the multitude of potholes. Litter that dappled the streets was getting soggy and squashed underfoot. The smell of salty ocean hung over the town, even though Palm Hills was a few miles inland.
It felt lazy today, like time itself was dragging it’s slippered feet. Everything was slow and sleepy. Cars splashed by, people trudged through the dampness with their hoods up and their heads down.
Crazy Beans was at its peak busyness, the morning rush. A few people stood leisurely in line at the counter, a few more people were tucked cozily into booth tables lining the windowed storefront. There were some quiet conversations, but it was like everyone had agreed to not disturb the groggy peace just yet. Most of the folks hadn’t quite awoken, needing their caffeine fix to get the bodily programs started up.
Rivulets of water streamed down the window glass, creating a gray curtain between the snuggly cafe and the outside world. The sound of dishes clinking and espresso machines steaming created a gentle ambience to cradle the morning in.
In the corner of the cafe, furthest from the counter, a man sat huddled in a booth to himself. He clutched a coffee mug with trembling fingers and rocked back ‘n forth over it. His reddened, sweaty face was turned down towards the black liquid while he rocked. He was muttering to himself, or to his coffee. Who knows.
It felt lazy today, like time itself was dragging it’s slippered feet. Everything was slow and sleepy. Cars splashed by, people trudged through the dampness with their hoods up and their heads down.
Crazy Beans was at its peak busyness, the morning rush. A few people stood leisurely in line at the counter, a few more people were tucked cozily into booth tables lining the windowed storefront. There were some quiet conversations, but it was like everyone had agreed to not disturb the groggy peace just yet. Most of the folks hadn’t quite awoken, needing their caffeine fix to get the bodily programs started up.
Rivulets of water streamed down the window glass, creating a gray curtain between the snuggly cafe and the outside world. The sound of dishes clinking and espresso machines steaming created a gentle ambience to cradle the morning in.
In the corner of the cafe, furthest from the counter, a man sat huddled in a booth to himself. He clutched a coffee mug with trembling fingers and rocked back ‘n forth over it. His reddened, sweaty face was turned down towards the black liquid while he rocked. He was muttering to himself, or to his coffee. Who knows.
Having gone on a late night drive, Crystal did not get home until later into the evening. On the bright side, she did get to fall asleep to the relaxing sound of the rain outside. To her dismay though, it would end up spilling into the day, but by then it was just misty versus a torrential downpour. Sadly, it left for a less-then-savory environment when she left the house. Not wanting to deal with puddle-filled potholes, Crystal opted not to drive. A lot of people were probably still sleeping if not getting ready for their day, but having to commute in this weather? No thanks.
Freshening up and then grabbing her backpack and a hooded leather jacket, Crystal left the apartment and locked the door before heading down the block to go to the Crazy Beans Café. Having not been here in the mornings before, the young woman was a little surprised to see how busy it was. Almost like many of the Starbucks back in California. Upon entering the café, Crystal looked around at the other patrons, partly because it was her first time here and she was simply just curious. Everyone was so sleepy, groggy and likely just stopping by to get their morning coffee. On the other hand, Crystal herself was here to get breakfast and maybe a place to chill for a bit. Since it was near-peak busy, it was going to be quite some time until it was her turn in line.
Taking her hood off, she straightened out her hair as she waited patiently for the people in front of her to place their orders, while others picked theirs up. Finally, when it was indeed her turn, Crystal smiled as she looked at the cashier. "Morning. I'll go ahead and take a Mocha Latte. And...a breakfast sandwich. Thank you."
After paying with her card and entering a tip, Crystal looked around for a place to sit. Seeing an empty booth, she quickly made her way to it so that she could take out her laptop to pass the time. Out of the corner of her eye though, she saw a man huddled in a booth. Though something felt off, Crystal didn't think too much of it. Probably just a tired person getting their coffee. She never met him, she didn't know him, so Crystal refrained from judging. But why was he rocking back and forth? Pondering, she connected to the Cafe's wifi and opened the web browser to begin scrolling through some activewear, wanting to get some new workout clothing now that she had some extra money in her pocket thanks to the lower rent and living expenses.
Freshening up and then grabbing her backpack and a hooded leather jacket, Crystal left the apartment and locked the door before heading down the block to go to the Crazy Beans Café. Having not been here in the mornings before, the young woman was a little surprised to see how busy it was. Almost like many of the Starbucks back in California. Upon entering the café, Crystal looked around at the other patrons, partly because it was her first time here and she was simply just curious. Everyone was so sleepy, groggy and likely just stopping by to get their morning coffee. On the other hand, Crystal herself was here to get breakfast and maybe a place to chill for a bit. Since it was near-peak busy, it was going to be quite some time until it was her turn in line.
Taking her hood off, she straightened out her hair as she waited patiently for the people in front of her to place their orders, while others picked theirs up. Finally, when it was indeed her turn, Crystal smiled as she looked at the cashier. "Morning. I'll go ahead and take a Mocha Latte. And...a breakfast sandwich. Thank you."
After paying with her card and entering a tip, Crystal looked around for a place to sit. Seeing an empty booth, she quickly made her way to it so that she could take out her laptop to pass the time. Out of the corner of her eye though, she saw a man huddled in a booth. Though something felt off, Crystal didn't think too much of it. Probably just a tired person getting their coffee. She never met him, she didn't know him, so Crystal refrained from judging. But why was he rocking back and forth? Pondering, she connected to the Cafe's wifi and opened the web browser to begin scrolling through some activewear, wanting to get some new workout clothing now that she had some extra money in her pocket thanks to the lower rent and living expenses.
“Get out of my head!” The sudden outburst broke the placid peace in the cafe like a rock splashing through the surface of stagnant water, causing ripples to ruin the mirror image. ”Get out of my head!”
The man who had been muttering over his mug had stood at his table, hands pulling at his greasy hair. Bloodshot, bulging eyes darted around the interior of the cafe. His chest heaved with labored panting, like he’d just been sprinting.
He stumbled away from the table, his mug clattering off the surface and crashing to the floor in a spill of black coffee and ceramic pieces.
The shift was startling, disorienting. Calm quiet quickly plummeted into a chaotic scene as the hooded male picked up the napkin holder from his booth and threw it across the room. Napkins sailed and fluttered harmlessly to the floor, while the holder crashed against the far wall, knocking down a few of the framed art hanging there.
One older woman screamed shrilly, while one or two other patrons took the opportunity to swiftly slip out of the door, as long as they didn’t have the deranged man between it and them.
The unwell patron turned to the bar counter, where the baristas shrank away.
“What did you give me?” The man yelled, a tinge of terror to his enraged raving. He rapidly approached the counter. The sweat could be seen running and dripping off his face, the neckline of the t-shirt under his hoodie clearly soaking wet.
The man who had been muttering over his mug had stood at his table, hands pulling at his greasy hair. Bloodshot, bulging eyes darted around the interior of the cafe. His chest heaved with labored panting, like he’d just been sprinting.
He stumbled away from the table, his mug clattering off the surface and crashing to the floor in a spill of black coffee and ceramic pieces.
The shift was startling, disorienting. Calm quiet quickly plummeted into a chaotic scene as the hooded male picked up the napkin holder from his booth and threw it across the room. Napkins sailed and fluttered harmlessly to the floor, while the holder crashed against the far wall, knocking down a few of the framed art hanging there.
One older woman screamed shrilly, while one or two other patrons took the opportunity to swiftly slip out of the door, as long as they didn’t have the deranged man between it and them.
The unwell patron turned to the bar counter, where the baristas shrank away.
“What did you give me?” The man yelled, a tinge of terror to his enraged raving. He rapidly approached the counter. The sweat could be seen running and dripping off his face, the neckline of the t-shirt under his hoodie clearly soaking wet.
Crystal's peace was disrupted by the man's sudden outburst. When she turned around to look towards where the voice was coming from, she was greeted by a most unsettling sight. The man that was reclusive before...she now had a better look at his face. From his greasy hair to bulging bloodshot eyes seemingly scanning the room. Suddenly, he started breathing both rapidly and heavily...until he stumbled away from the table and knocked his coffee mug over. It shattered as it hit the ground, with a mixture of broken glass and coffee in a dark puddle. Before she could go confront him, he picked up a napkin dispenser and threw it across the room, knocking down a few art pieces that were hung up. As the scene descended into chaos, two people left while another patron screamed.
The man in question proceeded to yell in the direction of the counter, prompting Crystal to flinch. "S-Sir. They just gave you a black coffee...Why don't we just calm down, back up and let's talk this through? No need to shout or get angry. Is there anything that you're allergic to? Maybe we can call 911 if you're not feeling well. Let me help you."
Crystal was probably taking the worst approach possible, but she had to try. And it was better then tackling him to the ground and subduing him while shouting for someone to call 911. "Sir?" She called out, ready to defend herself in case things went in...that direction.
The man in question proceeded to yell in the direction of the counter, prompting Crystal to flinch. "S-Sir. They just gave you a black coffee...Why don't we just calm down, back up and let's talk this through? No need to shout or get angry. Is there anything that you're allergic to? Maybe we can call 911 if you're not feeling well. Let me help you."
Crystal was probably taking the worst approach possible, but she had to try. And it was better then tackling him to the ground and subduing him while shouting for someone to call 911. "Sir?" She called out, ready to defend herself in case things went in...that direction.
The man proceeded to start knocking items off of the bar counter, scattering glass shards across the floor and spilling drinks that were in the process of being prepared. The girls behind the counter cowered at the far side of the wall, looking helpless and unsure of how to handle the situation. Suddenly, he whirled around to face Crystal.
He rapidly approached with jerking, stumbling movements.
“It’s poison!” He screamed deliriously, sending spittle spraying from his mouth. “It’s poison inside my head! You can’t lie, I can feel it!” His voice was desperate, feral. He was acting like a trapped, rabid animal lashing out.
“Poison! Poison!” He swiped his hands across the table top Crystal sat at, displacing her mocha and laptop. The disturbed man turned to her, eyes wild and unfocused. He reached for her, grabbing her by the nearest arm with a clammy vice grip, while a few patrons screamed or hollered for him to stop.
Mack, this whole time, had been locked in on his breakfast concoction. He’d been planted in a booth, contentedly pouring a redbull into his mug of black coffee before setting to work tearing open and dumping sugar packets into the mess. He hadn’t even glanced up when the initial chaos began and didn’t flinch at the sound of items crashing or breaking.
It wasn’t until the deranged patron had laid hands on Crystal that Mack lifted his stubbled chin. Then, he was there. A flash of movement and he was standing behind the aggressor. Mack raised his own mug and brought it down on the man’s head just as he had been pulling Crystal roughly out of the booth.
The mug exploded on contact with the man’s cranium and the target dropped like a sack of potatoes to the dirtied floor, now soaked in a disgusting mixture of coffee, redbull and sugar. Mack looked down at the handle he held, all that was left of his mug, then looked at Crystal.
“You alright, ma’am? Did he hurt you?” Mack asked in his best concerned authority figure voice, pretending he wasn’t disappointed about his beverage. He glanced to the ground, before retrieving Crystal’s laptop, figuring the device was probably fine.
He rapidly approached with jerking, stumbling movements.
“It’s poison!” He screamed deliriously, sending spittle spraying from his mouth. “It’s poison inside my head! You can’t lie, I can feel it!” His voice was desperate, feral. He was acting like a trapped, rabid animal lashing out.
“Poison! Poison!” He swiped his hands across the table top Crystal sat at, displacing her mocha and laptop. The disturbed man turned to her, eyes wild and unfocused. He reached for her, grabbing her by the nearest arm with a clammy vice grip, while a few patrons screamed or hollered for him to stop.
Mack, this whole time, had been locked in on his breakfast concoction. He’d been planted in a booth, contentedly pouring a redbull into his mug of black coffee before setting to work tearing open and dumping sugar packets into the mess. He hadn’t even glanced up when the initial chaos began and didn’t flinch at the sound of items crashing or breaking.
It wasn’t until the deranged patron had laid hands on Crystal that Mack lifted his stubbled chin. Then, he was there. A flash of movement and he was standing behind the aggressor. Mack raised his own mug and brought it down on the man’s head just as he had been pulling Crystal roughly out of the booth.
The mug exploded on contact with the man’s cranium and the target dropped like a sack of potatoes to the dirtied floor, now soaked in a disgusting mixture of coffee, redbull and sugar. Mack looked down at the handle he held, all that was left of his mug, then looked at Crystal.
“You alright, ma’am? Did he hurt you?” Mack asked in his best concerned authority figure voice, pretending he wasn’t disappointed about his beverage. He glanced to the ground, before retrieving Crystal’s laptop, figuring the device was probably fine.
Crystal's eyes went wide when the man turned around to face her. She braced herself when he started stumbling towards her. Goodness, this guy was crazy. It wasn't long until he started spewing nonsense before knocking her laptop and her mocha off the table, hearing a crack while the mocha hit another table and broke open, spilling everywhere. Before she could react, the man grabbed her arm and began pulling her out of her booth. "Hey, whoa, let me go!"
As her fight and flight instinct kicked in, someone came up to the man from behind and hit him in the head, prompting a coffee mug to break and Crystal was able to finally shake free from the crazed man's grip. The Good Samaritan proceeded to then pick up her laptop and set it back on the table. It may have looked fine on the exterior, but when Crystal opened the screen, it had a bunch of cracks on it and the right hand corner was no longer displaying anything. Crystal took a deep breath, before looking at the man, and the passed out crazy. "Yeah, I...I'm fine. Thanks. Guess I'll just have to go to a computer repair shop later. And not sure what the fuck his problem was." She said. "And...get another mocha."
What a great start to the day. She just wanted to chill and enjoy her mocha. "I'm gonna go clean myself up. Hopefully the police will be here by the time I get out." She said before turning to walk towards the bathroom.
As her fight and flight instinct kicked in, someone came up to the man from behind and hit him in the head, prompting a coffee mug to break and Crystal was able to finally shake free from the crazed man's grip. The Good Samaritan proceeded to then pick up her laptop and set it back on the table. It may have looked fine on the exterior, but when Crystal opened the screen, it had a bunch of cracks on it and the right hand corner was no longer displaying anything. Crystal took a deep breath, before looking at the man, and the passed out crazy. "Yeah, I...I'm fine. Thanks. Guess I'll just have to go to a computer repair shop later. And not sure what the fuck his problem was." She said. "And...get another mocha."
What a great start to the day. She just wanted to chill and enjoy her mocha. "I'm gonna go clean myself up. Hopefully the police will be here by the time I get out." She said before turning to walk towards the bathroom.
“Yeah, people, ya know?” Mack muttered bitterly, as if it were an excuse for the crazed man. He dumped a dispenser of napkins out onto the floor to begin soaking up the caffeine mess, while Crystal went to clean herself up.
Then, Mack shuffled back over to his booth and shrugged his police department issued vest back on over the Evil Dead t-shirt he was wearing. “We, uh, got a situation down at the coffee shop. Suspect is incapacitated, but he should probably sleep it off in the drunk tank,” Mack relayed into the radio at his right shoulder. Once dispatch confirmed backup en route, Mack moseyed on over to the counter where the shaken young women were comforting each other.
“Hey, can I get a refill?” He requested un-empathetically, gently setting the disembodied mug handle onto the counter top. “And a 10oz mocha,” he added, as he turned to place cuffs on the still unconscious man.
When Crystal returned, Mack had his own coffee in hand and was holding a fresh mocha out to her. Police lights without the sirens were flashing outside the rain streaked window, two officers in the process of climbing out. “Here,” he gestured. “On me. Too bad about your laptop. Do you need a ride somewhere?” He tossed a glance behind him at the streets outside. “It’s starting to come down pretty good out there.”
Then, Mack shuffled back over to his booth and shrugged his police department issued vest back on over the Evil Dead t-shirt he was wearing. “We, uh, got a situation down at the coffee shop. Suspect is incapacitated, but he should probably sleep it off in the drunk tank,” Mack relayed into the radio at his right shoulder. Once dispatch confirmed backup en route, Mack moseyed on over to the counter where the shaken young women were comforting each other.
“Hey, can I get a refill?” He requested un-empathetically, gently setting the disembodied mug handle onto the counter top. “And a 10oz mocha,” he added, as he turned to place cuffs on the still unconscious man.
When Crystal returned, Mack had his own coffee in hand and was holding a fresh mocha out to her. Police lights without the sirens were flashing outside the rain streaked window, two officers in the process of climbing out. “Here,” he gestured. “On me. Too bad about your laptop. Do you need a ride somewhere?” He tossed a glance behind him at the streets outside. “It’s starting to come down pretty good out there.”
Crystal was not very happy about how her morning was going. So much for a relaxing day, she thought. After cleaning up, from washing her face to cleaning off her shirt, Crystal exited the restroom to see the man who had helped her now wearing a Police Police vest. Must've been an off-duty cop...Upon getting a better look at his face, Crystal suddenly remembered that he was one of the cops in that unnecessary raid on her apartment complex, which had left a sour taste since. And now he was offering her a replacement for her Mocha. Crystal accepted it with a cordial smile. Looking down at her busted laptop, she sighed. "No, I won't be needing a ride, my apartment is not too far from here. Think I'll just head home. Don't think you'll really need a statement from me or anything since you pretty much saw what happened." She replied before taking a sip out of her mocha before setting it down.
She then proceeded to go ahead and wipe the liquid residue off her laptop before putting it in her backpack, looking down at the unconscious man that had attacked her a few minutes ago. "Though I would really like to know why he decided to attack me of all people. And...wreck my laptop." Crystal frowned as she put her backpack on and momentarily, the mocha was back in her hand. "What about you? Back to work?" She asked, eyeing his Police vest.
She then proceeded to go ahead and wipe the liquid residue off her laptop before putting it in her backpack, looking down at the unconscious man that had attacked her a few minutes ago. "Though I would really like to know why he decided to attack me of all people. And...wreck my laptop." Crystal frowned as she put her backpack on and momentarily, the mocha was back in her hand. "What about you? Back to work?" She asked, eyeing his Police vest.