"Alright, Jude! Can you take this to table three, 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 preparing 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. His brown eyes razor focused on his work, it was one of the few times anyone of them had seen the constantly cheerful raccoon looking so serious.
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.
With satisfaction, he stepped back to admire his work. Jonny looked over with a grin and noted the pride on his boss's face. He had worked for several mammals, but none that carried as much in their work as Jack did. The rabbit buck was admiring but critical of everything he set out and once he was satisfied, the colorful tray was carried back up front by Jack himself.
His ego was boosted as the line of customers hungrily eyed the treats he and Jon had slaved over. He wasn't a vain or arrogant male, but he did greatly enjoy the looks of admiration he received. It reassured him that his parents were wrong and dropping out of college had been a good idea. It also made talking on the phone with his parents more bearable. Their insinuations that it was time to end 'this little experiment and come on home' was much easier to dismiss. And his blooming success had the added effect of encouraging his little sister to start dreaming bigger. Her now regular visits to Zootopia was becoming the highlight of Jack's week. While she wasn't a huge fan of working in the cafe, she enjoyed her brother's company and the new freedom she was entrusted with. Not to mention, being able to actually see Precinct One in all it's steel and concrete glory was a dream come true. She looked forward to the day she could walk up those steps, dressed in ZPD uniform, and begin to make the world a better place. For now, the young doe helped her brother in his cafe every weekend she could while working and training to achieve that goal.
Nothing was going to stop her from becoming a cop.
Judy had done another lap around the small cafe with a cleaning towel and a bus tub, both of which were taken by Jonny as she returned behind the counter. The raccoon had just finished up in the back and had followed Jack out of the kitchen to lend a paw. 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. Combined with his piercing blue eyes, taller frame, and ears much longer than any other in the Hopps clan, many a doe had been left panting after him.
But for all their efforts, they may as well have saved themselves the hassle and not bothered.
He was twelve years older than 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 world's 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 world's best cook and baker. Which naturally made him the world's 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 paw. 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 speciest 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 too good to be true.
Skye Frost.
"Let's see, bachelors degrees in restaurant management and hospitality, minor in accounting. And she worked at Snarlbucks as a barista and manager." He paused to examine the display, tapping his foot paw as he did. "What's the catch?"
Anxiety filled him at the prospect of interviewing another dud. While he had been managing (with the help of Jonny and his old friend Sandra), The Perks wouldn't be able to grow any bigger or maintain their current course if he did get some quality, dedicated help. And soon. At the rate everyone was working, his workers were facing burnout way earlier than they should.
Jonny had been putting the back stock of pastries away before boxing up the cupcakes, while Jack started his list. A tick and distraction the buck had had since he was a child. 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, fingers 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 used 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!" The bunny let the dough rest as he went to wash his paws, mind buzzing, attention properly refocused on what he could control. He headed 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 from the brown cardboard box. "Why would you bother making anything else!"
Jack couldn't stop his 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 hired 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 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, run a paw down her outfit to smooth it out, and gather herself. Inhaling a deep, she began to make her way towards the coffee counter, a confident smile on her muzzle beginning to form as her eyes landed on him. A quick glance at his watch showed ten till ten.
This was 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 should be jealous. For a brief moment (to his horror and embarrassment) he thought about what she would look like naked and his stomach flipped in a not-quite-unpleasant way. Was her fur as soft as it looked? What would it take to find out? Would her tail remain passive or twitch and wrap around him if he found out? Not exactly things he should be thinking when getting ready to interview a potential General Manager.
"My name is Skye." A delicate white paw was extended out.
Jack looked at it for a moment, the urge to bring it to his lips for a kiss oddly strong, before it was accepted with a smile.
And as soon as he did, he was goner.