With the addition of Micah meeting Lincoln and his friends, some of Micah's co-workers will also be introduced.
Enjoy!
What Officer Schoffner said made Lincoln and his friends feel sand in their throats and were immediately taken to the police princinct. Turns out that while they were giving chase to the possession-stealing dog, they accidentally biked through red lights on intersection streets without looking. Their actions resulted in cars swerving out of the way only to get into accidents that damaged their cars. The victims weren't happy with them, regardless of chasing a stray.
They were sent to the police precinct and were interviewed in separate interview rooms about their actions. While the police understood what happened, they still weren't going to let them off the hook that easily. Later, the police had them confined into one interview room as they called their families to inform them of what they did.
The respective families tried to reason with them to let them go as some had vacation plans. But the police denied them as they informed them that their children were charged for still breaking traffic rules. They were originally going to send them to juvie until one Loud sister came up with a solution.
In the interview room, Lincoln and his friends didn't say a word to each other as their summer was now scrapped after what they did.
As they sulked, Lincoln was the first to speak. "Guys?" The others looked at him. "I . . .I'm sorry I ruined summer for us. I know you were looking forward to relaxing and I blew it. I really shouldn't have tried to ask Girl Jordan."
The others looked to each other and then back to him. "Don't beat yourself with that pal," Clyde replied. "We know it was an accident."
"If anything, it was that stray who really caused the trouble." Zach said. "He interferred on you actually trying to talk to your crush."
"Yeah mate," Liam said. "Besides, that dog was the one who stole Stella's locket so we would've helped you regardess."
Rusty nodded. "Not to mention that we're still friends."
"Thanks guys." Lincoln said. "Wish I still had that Mutt with-" He was interrupted by that sound of the door opening with Officer Schoffner entering with a file in her hand.
She sat down on the opposite end of them with an empty chair on her left side, placed the file on the table, and looked at them right into their eyes. "Hey kids," she said. "How are you holding up?"
"Not well Officer!" Rusty exclaimed. "Sure we may have broken some rules but we did it because-" Schoffner put her hand up to stop him mid-sentence.
"You were chasing the stray dog that attempted to steal Lincoln's backpack who had stolen your friend's locket and you didn't want it to get away. We know." Schoffner answered. "We have footage of what happened and we already called animal control to catch that stray. Like we understood before, you kids still broke traffic rules that resulted in forty thousand dollars of car damage."
Lincoln and his friends, mostly Rusty, were shocked. "Forty thousand! Are you serious!"
"Policemen don't joke when rules are broken." she said sternly. "Anyway the original plan might've been juvie until one of Lincoln's sisters made a suggestion."
Lincoln was confused. "One of my sisters?" The interview door again with Luan entering and taking a seat.
"Hey Linc," the elder Loud sister said. "Surprise, Surprise?" she took a seat next to the police officer.
Lincoln was surprised. "Really Luan! You mean it?!"
Luan nods. "I may be the comedian Loud, but I'm still serious when it comes to family."
Schoffner signed. "Anyway Loud, your sister's the only one I'm letting in so I'll get to the point, she suggested that you and your friends should take summer jobs to pay off your debt."
Stella didn't get it. "I'm sorry, Summer Jobs?"
"That's right." Schoffner said. "Your families are also on board with this. They believe that cleaning up your own mess can help you be responsible in life. As well as helping you guys mature and build a resume for yourselves."
Lincoln and his friends were stunned by the opportunity. "Wow sis." Lincoln said astonishingly, "I don't know if I say this often but-"
Luan stopped him from continuing. "No thanks is necessary; all I want is to help my little brother and his friends get out of serious trouble."
Schoffner signed. "Yes well, while it is nice of her to do this. The arrangement can only happen if you six are in agreement." She then opened the file to reveal six forms for them to sign so they can apply for summer jobs. Lincoln and his friends took a paper each to examine as Schoffner placed six pens on the table. "So are you in?"
The six of them looked at each other and smiled as they proceeded to grab a pen and fill it out.
(Burpin' Burger, 6:00 PM)
Nine hours after starting shift, Micah was cooking several patties but wasn't really paying attention to them much, he was actually still looking outside across the street at his fast food restaurant's upcoming rival: Stun Burger. He was still curious about what Stun Burger's about. He knows it's a fast food chain that's around the U.S., but he never knew the backstory of it.
"Stun Burger?" he said in his mind. "How can a place with a name so not eye-catching and cliché like that can become so successful?" As he was finishing cooking patties, he decided to find some info about the place from some of his co-workers.
He started with his fry cook partner who was starting a new batch of patties. "Hey Harry, what do you know about Stun Burger?" he asked as he moved his own patties to the assembly line.
Harry Vierkol, a 14-year old employee who's a little taller than him, has a medium and layered hairstyle, and a British accent, looks at Micah with a concerned look. "Stun Burger? The only thing I know about our upcoming rival restaurant is that it has a 4.8 star rating." he then goes back to work while Micah was left ok with his answer.
Next, he found the 12-year old pastry chef making a few Cookie dough milkshakes at his station on a tray. "Kaleb, my man! How are you doing?"
Kaleb Artono, a short Indian employee with a wild and messy hairstyle, who had just put in straws for the milkshakes, turned around to face his coworker while wiping some sweat off his forehead with his arm. "A little sweaty, but other than that I feel fine."
"Great! So uh . . .I was wondering," Micah took a quick glance at Stun Burger and then returned his focus back to Kaleb. "Is there any backstory to Stun Burger?"
Kaleb was a little lost by the question. "Stun Burger? Well uh, I did glance at an article that said its first established joint was made three years ago. In the first half of its run, it was a mediocre fast food restaurant. But after some rich person made a business deal with that company, it became popular that it rose into a fast food chain domestically."
"Ok, thanks for the intel." Micah then received Kaleb's tray of milkshakes and went to someone else.
He reached the fry station where its 20-year old, head fry cook with long, shoulder length blonde long side bangs is finishing up some regular and curly fries. "Hey . . .'Fry'," Micah felt reluctant to talk to him as the adult looked at him. "Do you have any info on . . .Stun Burger?"
'Fry' thought for a moment before he spoke. "Um . . .that the brand has no apostrophes?" he suggested.
Micah's face turned deadpanned as 'Fry' handed him a tray that had the fries he cooked. "Yeah, that's so helpful man." he said sarcastically as he headed off with a tray in each hand.
He then placed the trays of milkshakes and fries on the front counter and then quickly got several water cups, filled them up, and placed them on the milkshake tray. He looks to his right to see one-half of the Burpin' Burger cleaners finishing up mopping the floor, who's 12-years old, fair white skin, has long, shoulder length brown hair in the shape of a ponytail, and small freckles.
"I bet Sasha Brorha knows something for sure!" he thought. "Hey Sasha, do you know anything about Stun Burger?"
Sasha finished her area and started to take a breather as she looked at Micah nervously with sweat starting to drip down her face. "Oh . . .uh . . .Stun Burger?" she gulped as she continued what she was saying. "I don't really know if this is helpful but, the Stun Burger joints' theme is sort of sci-fi." she looked away in embarrassment thinking Micah was unsatisfied.
Micah thought of what she said as he gathered seven burgers and placed them on the fry tray "Sci-fi huh, that's actually really good now." he smiles at her as he picks up his load and proceeds to walk past her and into the dining area. "Thanks Sasha! You made my day!"
"Uh, you're welcome." she immediately hid her face as she began to blush a little.
He then made it to the front of a booth and read the receipt. "Alright, I got order #248 for . . .Luan Loud."
"That's us!" Luan said with her brother and his friends all being at the same table as Micah placed the two trays down for the customers to start digging in on.
Just as Micah was about to leave he then stared at the white-haired kid with confusion and some nostalgia. "Hey," he said as he pointed to Lincoln. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
The group stopped eating as Lincoln didn't know what he was talking about. "Uh . . .I don't think so. I mean, I don't see you at school. Do you work here?"
"Oh I sure do, I occasionally work part-time on school days and full-time on summer break. Also, I go to a different school, one where it's not around here. Don't know why it looks like I was working all day? I was allowed to start my exams a few days ago so that's why I'm already working." Micah explained. "Anyway sorry, I thought you just looked familiar for some reason." he was about to leave until Luan pulled on his shirt. He then looked back at the 15-year old. "Yes?"
Luan left her food on the table and then got out of her seat to fully face the kid. "Actually, my brother and his friends are in deep water right now and they could really use your help."
"My help? For what?" Micah crossed his arms with concern.
"You see they got into a couple of accidents of the same reason which resulted in them getting into debt and now they're trying to find summer jobs to pay it off."
Micah tilted his head a little. "I'm not following."
Luan signed and tried to make it clearer. "Me and the families of my brother and his friends are trying to apply them to places they can work at but they turned us down so we thought we could apply here." she then took out the six forms that Lincoln and his friends had signed and showed them to Micah.
Micah now gets the picture. "Oh so you want to apply here for the summer right?" Lincoln and the others felt like they just turned into cracked stone.
Lincoln stuffed his burger into his mouth, gorged it down, got out of his seat looking annoyed, and then stood by his sister. "Uh yeah, that was the whole point we were trying to make right now." he then remembered what to do in this situation and held his hand out. "I'm Lincoln by the way, Luan's brother."
"Micah Jay Ransom," he proceeded to shake the white-haired kid's hand as a friendly gesture. "But just call me Micah."
"Right," Lincoln then looks towards his friends. "Micah, this is Clyde, Liam, Zach, Rusty and Stella."
"Nice to meet you all." Micah then shakes their hands before looking back to Lincoln. "So . . .exactly how many places did you apply to before coming here?"
"I can't remember exactly, there were too many to count." Lincoln's starting to lose patience. "Anyway, are there any spots available?"
Micah thinks about it and then turns around to see his boss right behind him talking to Grant about the smell of the Fast Food Restaurant he manages. "Mr. Croystin, Sir?" his manager turns to Micah. "These six kids are trying to look for jobs to work for the summer, can they apply here?"
"No Micah," Mr. Croystin said sternly. "They cannot apply-"
"With all due respect sir, they have a crisis in which they're in debt of forty thousand dollars and this just happened today. So-" Mr. Croystin stops him from finishing.
"Micah, it's no." Mr. Croystin was firm with his statement. "I'm already stressed out right now and as a manager, my head's spinning. Besides, we have plenty of people to work with already."
"I thought you said we were running low on staff?"
"That was four months ago. I have hired new people since then. We're fine." As soon as he finished his sentence a loud explosion could be heard from the restaurant's employee parking and everyone was starting to sweat; Micah included.
"That was the A.C. right sir?" Micah asked.
"Yes, yes it was." he started to feel miserable.
"AHH!" an employee started to complain of the heat. "That's it! I'm done working here! End of sentence!" he and five other angry employees walked out the entrance without a second thought.
Mr. Croystin groaned in anger. "Fine! You win Micah!" he looks towards Lincoln and his friends. "You six are hired!"
"Yes!" Lincoln was overjoyed as his friends were indeed relieved while Luan patted him on the back.
"Because I'm getting annoyed by the second something bad happens as well as a now-broken A.C. to deal with, I'm appointing Micah as your temporary trainer to help you know what to do so you guys won't get fired. He'll also be acting supervisor for you guys since he's a pro at what he does. He's good to get along with since he knows the jobs. Plus, this is me being the nice guy right now. Grant, go dump the trash." Mr. Croystin then leaves as Grant does what he was just told.
Micah processed what his manager said. "Yes Sir! I'll get to it."
Lincoln turns to Micah. "What's he talking about?"
Micah smiles with confidence as he receives their forms from Luan. "Young man, my position mainly focuses on cooking burger patties. However, I'm also a fill-in for anyone who can't do their part at the moment."
Lincoln didn't get what he was saying. "Meaning?"
Micah still smiles. "I can handle any job role I am needed at. Follow me to the locker rooms fellas." Micah then leads Lincoln and his friends to the gender locker rooms, leaving Luan to wait at the booth as Kaleb comes to give take-out boxes to her.
Outside the building, a drone has been filming the entire time with the multiple voices of the families of the soon-to-be-fast-food workers cheering that their children found summer jobs.
(Fifthteen Minutes Later)
Micah was waiting outside the locker rooms reading their forms and that their traits are. "Hmm. Liam has quick hands, Rusty's talkative, Clyde's organized, Lincoln's also good at cooking, and . . .oh, Stella's proficient is making items shine. Nice!" he then sees Lincoln and his friends come out of the respective, gender locker rooms with their new preteen Burpin' Burger Uniforms on "Ahh! Their perfect fit. I knew I picked the right size!"
Rusty smells the air. "Ugh! The place smells like beef fat!"
"Dude seriously?" Zach was unimpressed.
"Yeah Rust," Liam agreed. "This is a burger restaurant, of course it's going to smell like burgers."
As Rusty realizes that, Stella was checking her uniform that she's wearing. "I don't know Micah. Mine seems a little firm."
Micah examines the uniform he gave Stella. "Hmm. Maybe I did, I'll have to ask Mr. Croystin about getting a new uniform size for you." he then faces all six of them and claps twice. "Alright, now this is your first day at work. Right? Now it might look fun but, you are wrong. It may be a fast food restaurant you are working at but it's still the same difficulty as any job would be."
Rusty raises his hand "How hard can it be?"
Micah became sarcastic. "I would love to be pessimistic and tell you all the bad outcomes right now but it's the adaptation season right now. So put your hand down!" Rusty quickly did what he was told while Luan's laugh could be heard.
Micah took a deep breath and collected himself. "Back on the subject, I don't want anyone to get fired immediately so I took it upon myself to read your forms and asked Luan about your traits to make it the easiest for you guys to adapt." Lincoln and his friends processed what Micah was saying. "I have already decided what positions you guys will be filling on the count of what you're good at as well as the available positions that were made when six employees walked out twenty minutes ago."
The six of them embraced what Micah assigned them to. "Lincoln will manage the food inventory and take my place as one half of the meant cooks, Clyde's assigned to operating the cash register and taking orders, Liam's at the assembly station, Rusty will take orders at the drive through speaker, Zach will handle the receipts, order transportation, and drive through operation, and Stella, your on custodian duty."
While the guys were sort of fine with what they were given, Stella was unsure about hers. "Umm, you sure Micah? I'm not the type of person to deal with cleaning often."
"Don't worry Stella. You'll be supplied with the essentials to ensure that messes will be cleaned up efficiently. Also, the other person who does this job gets lonely without a partner to clean alongside with." He points to Sasha who's depressed that her cleaning partner had quit.
"Alright I'll do it. '' Stella said with a little reluctance remaining inside her.
"Great! Now, normally Mr. Croystin would be the one training you guys but he's on the verge of losing his temper so I'll be taking his role for you guys." Micah sees that their sweat is flowing down. "I know you guys are sweating but the only makeshift A.C. we have would be our portable fan powered by Mr. Croystin's emergency battery so just hold on for a few days until our main one is replaced." he sees that they're not really happy about it. "Hey, it's a fast food restaurant so you're still going to sweat anyway." he then hands them some towels to soak their sweat in. "Which is why you'll have these and we'll keep the doors open to get fresh air to reduce the heat"
Burpin' Burger's audio starts playing "All Star'' by Smash Mouth.
Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me
I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed
"OK, I predict that only a few dozen people will come here in the next two hours or so. So get to work and start adjusting." The six of them nodded and went to their stations to work with the other employees.
She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb
In the shape of an "L" on her forehead
Lincoln places patties and bacon on the stove and turns it on to medium heat while Liam starts chopping some onions into small cubes.
Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming
Clyde stretches his fingers as he embraces the people that have entered.
Back to the rule and I hit the ground running
Rusty sees some high school gals in the drive-through.
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
He starts talking to the young teens flirtatiously.
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
Zach was dumbfounded by Rusty as he hung receipts up.
So much to do so much to see
Stella puts some gloves on and pulled her new janitor cart to the booths.
So what's wrong with taking the back streets
She gulps when she sees a few booths dirty with littered trash.
You'll never know if you don't go
Micah whispers to her. "Clean thoroughly and quickly."
You'll never shine if you don't glow
Micah's words gave her goosebumps as she grabbed a cloth and spray cleaner.
Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Lincoln flips several patties and bacon after one side is browned.
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
Lincoln looks to see Liam just finishing up setting the burger toppings ready.
And all that glitters is gold
Clyde counts the money from the customers . . .
Only shooting stars break the mold
. . .and gives back the right change as he makes the receipts.
It's a cool place and they say it gets colder
Rusty continues to flirt as he takes down orders.
You're bundled up now but wait 'til you get older
His flirts make Zach annoyed as he collects cash from the drive-through.
But the meteor men beg to differ
The latter puts a burger into a bag . . .
Judging by the hole in the satellite picture
. . .and proceeds to hand the meal to the driver.
The ice we skate is getting pretty thin
Stella sprays fast but not hard enough on her second booth.
The waters getting warm so you might as well swim
She breathes heavily as she wipes the filth out.
My world's on fire how about yours
Micah stops her and tells her to not rush.
That's the way I like it and I never get bored
He motioned her to pray big and wipe down hard.
Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Micah heads to Clyde and tells him to breathe in and out slowly to calm down his nervousness.
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
He goes to Rusty and criticizes his way of talking.
And all that glitters is gold
He tells Rusty to talk casually.
Only shooting stars break the mold
And to not make a fool of himself.
Micah informs Zach to not get affected by his friend's antics since Mr. Croystin doesn't care much. The latter nods and goes back to work as the formerlooks to Liam. He sees that as Lincoln gives him finished meat Liam can assemble the burgers that were ordered very quickly as he puts the burger toppings in swiftly. Micah becomes impressed as he's able to make four burgers in under four minutes. He looks around to see his trainees are adapting to the work really quickly.
Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Lincoln's starting to breathe loud as sweat runs down his face.
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
Micah goes to his station to leave a water bottle in his apron pocket.
And all that glitters is gold
Lincoln felt that and nodded to Micah as a thanks.
Only shooting stars
Micah leaves and acknowledges it.
Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas
Micah looks at Stella as she's struggling a little to keep up in maintaining booths
I need to get myself away from this place
Micah begins to worry and goes to her.
I said yep what a concept
Micah can see that she is clearly tired.
I could use a little fuel myself
That made him whisper to her saying,
And we could all use a little change
"Don't give up. Your friends won't do that, would they?"
Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming
Stella can see that her five friends are clearly not giving up.
Back to the rule and I hit the ground running
She looks to her custodian partner and sees her determination.
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
Stella became motivated and continued to work.
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
Micah smiles as he looks out the window.
So much to do so much to see
He sees his manager examining the new employees and is relieved that they can work hard.
So what's wrong with taking the back streets
He acknowledges Micah with a smile.
You'll never know if you don't go
The latter appreciates that and gets back to supervising.
You'll never shine if you don't glow
Mr. Croystin looks on happily.
Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Lincoln browns he patties and bacon while Liam assembles the burgers.
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
Rusty speaks to the drive-through people properly as Zach handles the receipts without annoyance.
And all that glitters is gold
Clyde has gained his confidence as he operates the cash register.
Only shooting stars break the mold
Finally, Stella has caught up and got over her doubts.
And all that glitters is gold
Micah smiles as he sees six individuals.
Only shooting stars break the mold
Six hard working individuals.
(8:00 PM)
Lincoln and his friend sat on a booth with Micah and Luan (who's holding the leftovers) standing beside them as Mr. Croystin stood in front of them. "Great work!" Mr. Croystin remarked. "I'm impressed with you guys adapting well, I expect you six to do the same for the next several weeks. Got it?"
The six new employees nodded in agreement. "We got it!" they said in unison.
"Good. You'll receive your paydays in two weeks." Mr. Croystin then leaves to talk to his other employees.
"Well done!" said Micah. "I look forward to seeing you guys again tomorrow."
"So will we Micah" Lincoln said. "So will we."
Across from Burpin' Burger, a figure looks into the restaurant with disgust. "Have fun while it lasts you rats, soon you will fall just like any other fast food restaurant before you."
A/N: I just want to let you guys know that I will upload chapters under 24-32 days.
"All Star" is by Smash Mouth.
