Chapter 2: Noodle stands his ground
A week. This whole thing with Beard Burgers burger meat getting stolen had been going on for an entire week! Thankfully whoever was taking the stuff stopped taking the noodles, but Colonel Noodle couldn't keep selling Noodle products forever, the restaurants main bread and butter were burgers after all! Something had to be done, if he couldn't get this resolved, his customers will start going to Chunky Burger! Not that he doesn't mind the competition, he just doesn't want to lose customers that came for the burgers.
He stood outside the restaurant, arms crossed as he waited for the security camera system to be installed, and it was taking a little longer than he thought it was. His impatience subsided when he saw PaRappa, PJ and Matt approaching on their skateboards.
"Hey fellas!" Noodle waved as they came to a stop.
"Hey Noodle-boy." PJ greeted.
"What's going on, you installing some security cameras?" PaRappa asked.
"I have to! That Gaster guy is starting to damage our income, I haven't been able to sell a single burger in a week!"
"Rough…is there anything we can do to help?" Matt asked.
"I don't know. Unless you guys are willing to steak out in the store overnight, I don't really have anything for you guys." Noodle shrugs.
"I can't, I got to perform at Club Fun tonight." PJ shook his head.
"Dad'll probably bite me if I stay out late." PaRappa sighed.
"And I already told PJ I'd help him at the club tonight." Matt added.
"Well shoot." Noodle paused, crossing his arms. "What about the girls?"
"MilkCan's practicing tonight, Paula plans on watching them, and Sunny's dad won't let her out pass curfew." PaRappa explained.
"Then it looks like I'm on my own."
"Yeah, sorry Noodle." PaRappa rubbed the back of his head.
"Don't worry about it, I'm not gonna let that bastard take any more of the restaurants beef, as my father as my witness!" He held his fist up to the air.
That night, after the store was closed, and he got the new shipment of meat in, Colonel Noodle hid in the kitchen, a large net in hands as he waited for that crook of a rabbit to appear. He wasn't going to let anything happen to this batch!
Hour 1: nothing had happened, the most he could hear were the sounds of crickets chirping and the occasional car or truck driving by the restaurant.
Hour 2: Still nothing. With a tired sigh, Noodle decided to make some quick coffee, and a bowl of noodles. If he's going to stay up this late, he might as well have something to eat. Good thing he had his phone for entertainment.
Hour 3: Still, no break in or anything. Noodle spent the hour eating his meal and watching old recordings of MilkCan performing that were uploaded online.
On the fourth hour, Noodle nearly jumped at the sound of the restaurants front doors being open.
"Heh, check it out, boss, he's got cameras now." One voice spoke up.
"Like that's gonna do anything!" Another laughed as their footsteps approached the counter. "Just one more box of the stuff should do it!"
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Noodle shouted as he jumped on the counter, net in arms, catching Gaster and Groober off guard as they fell to the floor screaming. Noodle started swinging the net like a lunatic, chasing the two out of the restaurant, and even a little bit down the street before stopping. "And stay out!"
With a proud smirk, Noodle marched back to the restaurant and locked the doors again, this time putting a padlock over the doors. Now no one can get in without him opening the doors!
The next day, Noodle opened up the restaurant, letting people inside. PaRappa and his friends had shown up after hearing the news that he finally has the beef to make the burgers! PaRappa even offered to help.
"Toast the buns, french the fries!" Noodle lead.
"Toast the buns, french the fries!" PaRappa copied.
"Bring on the ketchup, sweep the floors!"
"Bring on the ketchup, sweep the floors!"
"Alright!" Noodle laughed as he served out the burgers the two had made to the customers, who were applauding their performance. "Thanks again for helping out, PaRappa!"
"No Problem, Noodle!" PaRappa smiled, grabbing a beard burger for himself before joining his friends, letting the burger man get back to work, giving people their burgers. Once everyone had their food, Noodle looked out in the dining area, a smile on his face. He had single handedly saved his family's business, though he kinda wished he thought of this a lot sooner.
Still, at the end of it all, today was a good day for the afro burger man.
"Well nuts..." Gaster mumbled as he and Groober peered into the window. "If he's going to be sticking around after hours, we can't keep snooping around here. We'll have to go after somebody else."
"Who's gonna be our next target boss?" The fat cat asked as they peered around the room. A sickening grin grew on the rabbits face as he pointed at someone in the store.
"Her!" He declared. "The sheep with red hair! She looks like easy pickens!"
"Heh, good thinking."
"Once she leaves Beard Burger, we'll follow her, and see what we can do!" The two slunk away from the restaurant with a high five, hiding in the nearby alley, waiting for their potential victim to leave the premises.