Café Wonderland
Prologue
"What do you mean the company's being shut down?!" Alice asked frantically, following her boss as he walked briskly through the office.
"It's like I said," He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in stress, "Our company is being shut down by another big publishing company. We don't have the funds to keep this place, nor do we have the funds to pay you all anymore. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. You're a hard working girl Alice, I'm sure you'll find another job."
Those were the last words she heard from her boss.
"Well, I guess I'm out of a job." Alice sighed, as she sat down at the dinner table.
"Oh? Why so suddenly?" Lorina asked, pouring Alice a cup of chamomile tea.
"The only thing my boss told me, was that the entire company was being shut down. I got my final paycheck today." She answered, staring at the check in her hands.
"Surely you'll find another job." Alice's father assured, setting his newspaper down. "In any case, it's not like you really need a job. If you need money, I could always give you some."
"There's no point in that. I have to work for my money, otherwise I won't feel good about it." Alice insisted, causing her father to chuckle.
"So stubborn. You're just like your mother." He laughed, shaking his head. "If only Edith were as half as mature as you."
"Speaking of Edith, when is she returning from boarding school?" Alice asked curiously, in an attempt to forget about losing her job.
"She'll be here for her winter break. I'm not sure exactly when. Hopefully I'm not busy that day," Alice's father said, "I'd like for us all to go pick her up at the train."
"Anyhow, Alice, there are plenty of cafes that are hiring downtown. Perhaps you could apply?" Lorina suggested, handing Alice a flyer.
"Café Wonderland?" She tilted her head as she read the name of the café out loud.
"It's new and it seems to be fairly popular. I feel as though you'd like it there, Alice." Lorina smiled. Alice stared at the colorful flyer in her hands.
"Well, I'll check it out tomorrow. I think I'm going to sleep now." The brunette sighed, standing up from her seat.
"Oh, what about dinner?" Lorina called after.
"Not hungry." Alice replied.
The next day, Alice woke up at 6 am, as usual. She washed up, dressed, combed her hair, and made herself lunch. After all her preparations for school were finished, she headed out.
"Good morning Alice!" A familiar voice called as Alice approached the school gates.
Alice sighed and stopped in her tracks. "Hello Peter." She greeted in an uninterested tone.
"How was your day yesterday? How's your morning going? Would you like me to escort you to class? What if-" The albino stopped his barrage of questions as he realized Alice was already way of him. "Alice!"
Alice entered her classroom and sat down at her desk. Her friends Emily and Rose sat next to her.
"What's wrong, sunshine?" Emily teased, noticing Alice's gloomy demeanor.
Alice sighed, "Nothing."
Her two friends looked at each other, then back at Alice.
"Nothing, you say, yet your tone says "Everything"! Be a little more honest with yourself." Rose scolded, flicking Alice's forehead, much to her dismay.
"Okay, okay." Alice groaned. "I lost my job yesterday."
"Oh dear." Emily gasped. "From the book publishing company? But it seemed to be doing well!"
"What happened?" Rose added, equally surprised.
"I don't know. All I know is that it's shut down and I'm out of a job, and I refuse to ask my father for money." Alice answered, crossing her arms.
"Well you know, if you really need a job, my father owns a restaurant in the downtown area! I could ask him to give you a job." Rose offered.
"Really? That'd be great!" Alice said, smiling. "Well, I don't want to be too dependent on others though. I'll see if I can get a job on my own first."
"Alright! Just tell me if you need a job!" Rose smiled back.
"Will do." Alice nodded.
After school, Alice began to walk to the shopping district in the downtown area. It was always busy and bustling, and there was always traffic. The publishing company Alice worked for was in a more rural and quiet area, free from urban life.
"Oh, is that it?" Alice asked aloud, checking the flyer to see if it was the correct shop. "It is." She nodded, and took a deep breath as she entered the shop.
"Welcome to Café Wonderland! Oh! Alice?!" A familiar voice greeted. Alice's eyes widened, and she immediately regretted walking in.
"Peter?!" She cried. "What are you doing here?"
"I work here! What brings you here, Alice? Have you come to see me?" Peter asked excitedly.
"Haha Peter, you know it's forbidden to flirt with customers." A tall boy with dark brunette hair laughed. His uniform was similar to Peter's. A white dress shirt, a red vest, black slacks, a black apron, and a red tie and white gloves to finish the look. The only difference was that Peter was wearing white rabbit ears.
"Shut up, Ace! Can't you see I'm talking to Alice?" Peter scowled at his co-worker.
"You two, stop at once." A lady's voice demanded. The trio turned to the source of the voice.
"I'm terribly sorry about that, my dear." A tall, beautiful and elegant lady apologized. She wore the same uniform as Peter and the other man, albeit with a tight black pencil skirt, black pantyhose and tall red heels. On her left breastplate was a gold tag with the words "Manager", and under it read her name, "Vivaldi".
"How can I help you?" The lady asked, smiling.
"Oh, uh… I came to apply for a job." Alice answered.
"What?! Really?!" Peter perked up immediately.
"Yes." Alice rolled her eyes and ignored Peter.
"Oh, really? Well, you're hired. My name is Vivaldi, and I'm the afternoon manager of Café Wonderland. Welcome aboard, darling." Vivaldi smiled.
"W-wait, I'm hired? Aren't you going to ask me any questions?!" Alice asked, utterly confused. Usually jobs require you to have an application filled out, a resume ready, etc.
"Hmmm.. Well, what's your name?" Vivaldi asked.
"A-Alice… Alice Liddell." The brunette replied.
"Yes, that's perfect! Welcome aboard Alice." Vivaldi said, grabbing Alice's hand as she lead her to the back.
"U-uh…." Alice blinked, trying to process what had just happened.
Vivaldi closed the door and instructed Alice to sit down on the sofa.
"Now dear, before I can actually let you start, you'll have to pick which shift best suits you." Vivaldi said, pouring Alice a cup of tea.
"H-huh?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'd like the evening shift I suppose. I have school from 8 to 3. I can't really-"
"This is how Café Wonderland works." Vivaldi interrupted Alice, as she sat down and took a sip of tea.
"During the early morning shift, other workers are present, as well as another manager. His name is Julius Monrey. He works from 12 am to 6 am. Because the only part of this café that is open at that time is the bar area, he works as the bartender. He works the early morning shift alone. During the regular morning shift, there are two employees, one being the manager. His name is Ma-, excuse me, Gowland. Morning shifts run from 6 am to 12 pm. Afternoon shifts is when I manage, and Peter and Ace work. These shifts run from 12: pm to 6 pm. The final shift is the evening shift, which is run by Blood Dupre, as well as four other employees. I'm sure you understand already when the shifts start and end. Each shift is 6 hours long." Vivaldi explained.
"I had no idea there were so many different shifts and managers." Alice said, surprised.
"It seems confusing at first, but you'll get used to it. Now, Alice, I understand that you said you'd like to work the evening shift, but working at Café Wonderland means working Monday through Saturday. During weekends, we'll need to be present for three of the four shifts, meaning you'll be working here for three fourths of the day. I'll allow you to choose which shifts you want to work, but you'll need to choose by next week. In the meantime, you'll have to experience all four shifts to see which ones you like best." Vivaldi continued.
"A-ah… Alright?" Alice nodded. This seemed like far too much work for her to do by herself. Would Peter be working the other shifts as well on the weekends? What about the other boy named Ace? Where does Vivaldi go the other three shifts? All these questions began forming in Alice's head.
"I can see you're still confused." Vivaldi smiled. "Alright Alice, you'll start working tomorrow at 12 am."
Alice's eyes widened. "12 am?!"
"Precisely. It will also end the next day. I'll have your uniform ready for you by the time you arrive." Vivaldi nodded.
"Isn't this overworking me?!" Alice asked. Was there a limit to how long a person can work legally? Was this legal? Was any of this legal?
"Oh dear, worry not. This is only for one day. On Sunday, I'll have you come in and I'll let you choose which shifts you want to work on which days." Vivaldi said. "And remember Alice, money is money." She added, as she pushed Alice out the door.
"See you tomorrow!"
Alice stood outside the café, trying to comprehend what had just happened to her.
"This is madness."
