Welcome to Coffeebucks
Chapter 1
Special thanks to Shrubby Scribe for acting as creative adviser.
It was a brisk fall day at Coffeebucks, and Assistant Manager Alucard was bored. The manager, Integra, had left for an important sales conference, and had taken their best barista, a retiree named Walter, with her. Though Coffeebucks was not busy, there had been a steady stream of customers all day and Alucard was quite sick of dealing with the general public.
The bell on the door chimed as three students of the local university stumbled in. Two, tall brunettes named Simon and Eddy, were semi-regulars. Alucard liked to spell their names wrong on their cups. Their companion was a short, curvy blonde girl that had not been in before. Must be a freshman. The students set their books and laptops on an empty table and got in line for their coffee.
"Two cheddar biscuits, please," Simon ordered, "and a double mocha frappuccino."
"One large coffee, no cream or sugar." Eddy requested. The blonde, nose buried in the want ads, ordered nothing. Alucard handed the boys their drinks and went to wipe down tables, eavesdropping as he did so.
"I can't find a single job I am qualified for," lamented the blonde. "I won't be able to take the civil service exam to join the police until next summer!" Simon patted her shoulder encouragingly.
"You'll find something, Seras. Just keep looking." Eddy nodded his agreement.
Just then, Alucard saw a crowd of elderly people heading toward the shop, led by a priest. They were so old, zombie-like in their movements, and certain to be a pain to deal with. Thinking quickly, Alucard appeared at the students' table.
"You're hired." He shoved an apron into Seras' hands. "You start now."
"What?! I don't even drink coffee and you don't know my availability or anything!" The tiny blonde protested, confused.
"We'll get to that. Can you operate a cash register?"
"I – what?"
The horde of senior citizens was closer now.
"Can you operate a cash register?!" Alucard demanded.
"Y-yes!"
The next thing anyone knew, Seras was behind the counter, a visor perched crookedly on her head, an apron covering her blue t-shirt.
The doorbell chimed, and the church group slowly entered. There were senior citizens everywhere, commandeering tables and showing photos of their grandchildren to anyone with eyes. Simon, Eddy, and the other patrons were swallowed by the horde. Seras was suddenly very grateful to have the counter between her and the church group. As the priest approached, Alucard handed Seras a Sharpie.
"Try not to spell their names correctly." He instructed. Seras nodded and fixed a shaky smile on the first customer.
"Welcome to Coffeebucks, what can I get you?"
The next hour flew by, and even the grouchiest of seniors was disarmed by Seras' bright smile. Alucard had never seen a barista earn so many tips in the first hour of working, though he had a sneaking suspicion that the girl's enormous chest had something to do with it. Once the customers had left, he beckoned Seras to the small office in the back of the cafe.
"All right, Police Girl, fill out this application." He instructed.
"My name is Seras, and I'm not even a police officer yet," the new barista grumbled. "I haven't even taken the exam." Alucard rolled his eyes.
"You will work 30 hours a week, at $7 per hour, plus any tips. Coffeebucks prides itself on being the best-paying cafe in town, and hires only the best. Welcome to the Coffeebucks family." He read dispassionately from a clip board. "Here is your name tag, your register log-in, and your schedule for the week." Seras took the name tag, sighed when she saw that it read "Police Girl" instead of her name, and pinned it to her apron.
"Isn't there some sort of computer training I have to do?"
"At Coffeebucks, we believe in hands-on training." Alucard replied, bored. "The manager will take care o your tax forms when she returns from her conference. Now, let's make some coffee."
Several hours later, Seras had finally gotten comfortable with the cash register, when a tall, statuesque woman and a thin old man entered the cafe.
"Welcome to Coffeebucks!" Seras chirped. "How can I he-" The woman silenced her with a glare, shouting for Alucard. The assistant manager appeared in the office doorway, grinning widely.
"Yes?"
"What is the meaning of this?" The woman demanded, gesturing at Seras. Alucard shrugged carelessly.
"I hired her."
"Why?" He shrugged again.
"Sir Integra, shall I see her out?" The old man asked. Integra shook her head.
"That won't be necessary, Walter." She stepped forward to examine Seras. The barista squirmed uncomforably as Integra's icy blue eyes inspected her appearance. At last, Integra looked to Alucard. "She'll do." Seras sighed quietly in relief as Integra turned her attention back to her. "Welcome to Coffeebucks … Police Girl."