"Alright, Jude! Can you take this to table 3, and grab those empty cups from the coffee table on your way back. Thank you!" Jack turned to the small grey bunny with a tray bearing two fresh steaming cups of espresso and a plate of biscotti. The young bunny frowned as she took the tray from her big brother and let out a little sigh.
"Jack, I need to start prepping for orientation!"
"Gotta earn your keep, Judy. That's the deal." Jack put his paws on his hips and watched his little sister walk around the counter to deliver the order. "You want to stay with me this summer here in the city, you gotta help out here at the cafe. And it's barely nine. That ZPD youth camp isn't until two. That's plenty of time for you to prep after the morning rush is over."
Jack turned back to the espresso machine and the young bobcat working it.
"All caught up here, Bobby? I have to run back to the kitchen and make sure nothing is burning."
Bobby smiled at the row of drink orders, his paws never pausing as he tapped out and pressed the grounds into the filter, reloaded the machine and let the smell of fresh espresso invade his senses.
"Got it, boss! Thanks for the help getting organized! I'll call you if I need anything else!" Any other talk was drowned out by the milk steamer as Jack bounced back to the kitchen. Jonny, his raccoon assistant, was decorating some cupcakes for an order at a prep table in the corner.
Jack rescued a tray of blackberry scones from the oven and with an expert paw separated the parchment holding them from the hot baking tray, the scones settling on another counter designated for cooling. Switching out the scalding tray for a cooler one, he lined it with more paper and filled it with goodies for the display case. A few of the scones, along with some lemon poppy and blueberry muffins, more biscotti ( almond and chocolate hazelnut), fresh sourdough muffins, and small tarts filled with fruit and custard, all ready to sell.
The colorful tray was carried back up front by Jack himself, his ego boosting as the line of customers hungrily eyed the treats he slaved over. Judy had done another lap around the small cafe with a cleaning towel and a bus tub, both of which were taken by Jonny, who had just finished and had followed Jack to the front to lend a hand. After a quick paw wash, Judy helped her brother set the desserts display, the buck thinking out loud and running through his to-do list the entire time.
"Let's see, the starter needs to be fed and separated and then I can prep more muffins before the interview. They should be ready to bake by the time that's over. I can start some more custard and have Jonny start making some cookies. Biscotti, maybe? And chocolate chip. Maybe I can have him do that. It's an old school favorite. Oh! Lemonade and Cookie Sunday! That should be a thing here!"
Judy smiled as she adjusted the muffin display, Jack still muttering to himself as he wandered back to the kitchen. Her brother managed to be both a dreamer and doer, walking the fine line their parents had drawn in sand on what was acceptable rabbit behavior.
Jack Hopps had been the catch in their hometown of Bunnyburrow. His almost platinum color made a striking backdrop for the unusual black stripes framing his face and lining the rest of his body. With piercing blue eyes, taller frame, and ears much longer than another in the Hopps clan, many a doe had been left panting after him.
He was a twelve years older then Judy, but he was her first hero. Always having time to help her study and give her advice, Jack's response to his little sister wanting to be a cop was unwavering support. He had gone to Zootopia for college only to drop out after the first semester, sweet talk a loan out of the bank, and open up the Savanna Central Perk. Their parents were furious.
Barely nineteen and Jack had already loaded himself down with debt. All to chase the dream of making a landmark in the worlds greatest city.
"What if you fail?!" Cried their father, Stu Hopps. Jack had shrugged.
"Then I figure out where I went wrong and try again." He said.
He didn't fail. Jack had been helping his mother in the kitchen since he could walk. She was the worlds best cook and baker. Which naturally made him the worlds second best. Helping a master chef for two hundred picky eaters and counting on a daily basis for seventeen years was no easy feat. And considering the crowd he started with had no qualms about criticizing his hard work, dealing with the masses of Zootopia almost felt like child's play.
Now 25, Jack had been making steady payments and comfortable living. The cafe had grown in popularity, new employees trained, menus adjusted and revised, and now he felt ready to hire someone to give him a hand. Jack had been trying to balance baking the desserts the Perk was becoming known for and keeping day to day operations running smoothly, only to find himself reluctantly admitting he needed help.
But the stack of applicants had yielded no one he could use. If one seemed qualified, they never responded to to his invitation to interview. The others were not only unqualified for employment, but unqualified for even applying. Poor taste jokes, some speicest comments, resumes that could be novels, all making the young buck suffer serious migraines. So bad was the selection, that this applicant coming in for an interview seemed almost to good to be true.
"Let's see, bachelors degrees in restaurant management and hospitality, minor in accounting. And she worked at Snarlbucks as a barista and manager. What's the catch?"
Jonny had been putting the back stock of pastries away before boxing up the cupcakes, while Jack started his list. Though the raccoon had only been with the Perk for a couple months, he was use to his boss's muttering by now.
"Almond biscotti, after you're done, Jon. And chocolate chip cookies, please." Jack had moved to a row of mixers and set one with a dough hook. "And I want to start thinking of some summer stuff. Any ideas would be welcomed."
The raccoon's masked face lit up, paws putting the cupcakes on the ledge of the order window. Jonny spun on his hind feet, apron giving a flutter with motion, paws were snapped and pointed at the rabbit, whose ears shot up at the noise.
"Lemon curd tarts topped with fresh berry compote. Light, refreshing, easy to make. Mom use to make it every summer!"
Jack grinned at him, as he shut the mixer off and scraped his dough onto the prep table to form the muffins. "I love it! Maybe I should start looking up new coffee blends to compliment it. Offer a pairing for the summer!" Jack let the dough rest as he went to wash his hands, mind buzzing.
Heading back up to the front, just in time to see one of his favorite customers receive the freshly decorated cupcakes.
"Oh….em….. goodness…. Jack, these are divine!" Ben Clawhauser had stepped from the register to the drink counter, unable to stop himself from sampling a cupcake. "Why would you bother making anything else!"
Jack couldn't stop a laugh at that as he turned to the kitchen entryway.
"Hey, Jonny, you have a fan. Strawberry shortcake cupcakes are here to stay," he shouted to his assistant. The raccoon grinned and waved his thanks before turning back to his work. "I did hire some talent, didn't I? Glad you like them, Benji. But, from what I hear, shouldn't you be staying away from extra sugar? Aren't you training to get into the police academy?"
"I know! I know!" The large cheetah gave a sad look to the remaining cupcakes and closed the box. "These are actually for my mom for her birthday. Here's hoping she won't notice one missing."
Bobby then set a to-go cup in front of Ben with a smile.
"But I am drinking just plain coffee with almond milk, no sweeter! That's something, right?" Ben visibly steeled himself for a sip of the drink, only to be jolted from behind as a ball of grey slammed into him. Fortunately, the drink didn't spill.
"Benji! Where have you been!" Judy cried, releasing him so he could give her a proper hug. "I haven't seen you my last two visits!"
"Hey Jude! I've been training for the academy. I'm applying for the next semester!"
Judy's eyes went wide, but to spare the cheetah a million questions, Jack cut in.
"Jude, will you see if Jon needs help, please? And tell your mom I said happy birthday, Benji." The cheetah gave a final hug to Judy a before heading to the door.
"Thanks again, Jack! I'll see you tomorrow morning!" Ben held the door open for a vixen to enter as he left, which she acknowledged with a smile at him.
She entered the cafe with what seemed to be hesitancy, looking around at the now diminished line and guests enjoying their drinks, treats and Saturday conversation. Jack watched her straighten up, inhaling a deep breath, then make her way towards the coffee counter. A quick glance at his watch showed ten till ten. His interview!
"Hi! I'm looking for Jack Hopps. I'm here for an interview." The voice was clear and carried the weight of a mammal who could command an army. Jack looked up from his watch and into a pair of eyes so blue, the sky on a clear, bright day like today should be jealous. "My name is Skye."
Because of course it was.
