This is where I change the story a little from where I based it off of for originality.
Two days have passed since Lincoln and his friends have been hired to work at Burpin' Burger for the summer to pay off their debt. Micah enjoyed having new people to talk to as it enlightened his mood. However, he questions if he'll get more socially active from then.
Right now, Micah was skateboarding down the sidewalk in his neighborhood with his hands in his pockets. He was listening to music with his headphones on until he heard a faint voice call him by his name. He took his headphones out of his ears to see Lincoln biking next to him.
"Oh hey Lincoln," He said. "How are you?"
"More or less, I decided to bike to Burpin' Burger so I can have a warm-up before working."
"That's nice, it helps you wake up if you're still tired. Where's the rest of your friends?"
Lincoln was in deep thought before responding. "They went by car instead of what I'm doing." Lincoln just remembered something. "Which reminds me, Micah, do you still want to go to the arcade?" he asked.
Micah didn't know what he was talking about. "Arcade? What for?"
Lincoln looked at the skateboarder as if the boy was hopeless. "What, you don't remember?" The two of them entered the commercial area of Royal Woods as the white haired kid continued. "I asked if you wanted to hang out at the arcade yesterday because my other friends said they couldn't come."
Micah flips over a fire hydrant as he continues the conversation "And your family's ok with that?"
"They wanted me to have some relaxation so summer won't be all miserable."
"Ok, so . . . exactly what happened yesterday?" Micah asked. "Because I can't remember really."
Lincoln was hesitant before deciding to answer. "Well . . ."
(Flashback, Yesterday, Burpin' Burger)
Micah was sitting in a booth talking with Lincoln and his friends as their lunch break was almost done.
"You guys can't come to the arcade tomorrow?" Lincoln asked.
They couldn't go due to having plans to spend time with family at home.
"It's no biggie Linc," Said Rusty. "Just bring Micah. He'll love the arcade."
Lincoln was about to ask but Micah spoke first. "I don't know Linc, I haven't been to one in a long time."
"It's probably because you work a lot." Said Zach.
"Yeah," Liam added. "You should have some fun."
Micah was starting to become convinced. "I ask my parents about it." He and Lincoln's group then got up to start work when Mr. Croystin came to the center of the dining hall with a megaphone.
"Attention employees!" Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to their manager. "It has come to this that I must shorten open hours for the place to close at 6 PM instead of 8."
The employees, especially Micah, were shocked by the sudden change.
"I know some of you are upset but this is happening due to the fact that we leave the doors open because of our lack of A.C.." Mr. Crostin sighs. "I just want to inform you guys of this and I already contacted all of your families about this as well, you may all go back to work." Mr. Croystin heads off back into his office to rest his stress.
"Well that's just great." Stella said sarcastically. "Now our working days just extended."
Clyde sighs. "We're just going to have to endure it."
Lincoln let out a disappointing sigh. "Well, it can't get worse than this. Right Micah?" There was no response to Lincoln's question. "Micah?" Lincoln and his friends turn their heads to see Micah face flat on the floor.
"Not again!" Caleb complained as he slides to Micah's body, flips him over, and starts doing CPR on his chest. "Stay with me Micah! Stay with me!"
Lincoln looks to see Sasha having a worried look while holding a mop. "Does this happen often?" He asks.
Sasha nods in confirmation. "Unfortunately yes, Micah faints about three times a week." Sasha looks at Micah whom Caleb's trying to revive. "While some of us are worried, Caleb expresses a lot of annoyance since he's the only one capable of bringing Micah back."
Lincoln thinks about what's happening. "It's just shortening the hours, what's there to faint about."
(Present)
Micah was dumbfounded in a bad way while Lincoln gave him an annoyed face. "Oh yeah right. I'm just not really used to having many free hours."
"Right, anyway, since Burpin' Burger now closes at 6, that'll give us a decent amount of time to hang out. Trust me, you'll enjoy it." Lincoln sees that Micah was still unsure. "Don't worry, I'll show you around, arcades are great for pre-teens like us. Just remember to use some of your savings as well to contribute to our meet-up. Got it?"
From hearing Lincoln's words as well as remembering his mother asking him to meet new people, Micah smiles as he shrugs his shoulders. "Very well then." The two of them made it to Burpin' Burger to start another day at work.
(6:40 PM, Gus' Games and Grub)
Micah was waiting outside the arcade and pizzeria as Lincoln was supposed to meet him there at this time.
"Lincoln said he'd be dropped off by car so maybe the traffic's heavy." He thought. He was about to call him with his phone until he saw a family van pop up at the drop off parking lot.
Lincoln comes out from the middle, looks both ways, and was about to head off until his father stopped him.
"Ok, remember kiddo, I will be back in two hours so make sure you enjoy your time with your friend." Lynn Sr. reminded.
Lincoln nods in agreement. "Got it Dad, see you later." He then heads off as Lynn Sr. drives away.
"Hey Micah, you ready?" Lincoln asks.
"Ready as I'll ever be." He and Lincoln then head into Gus'.
After entering, Micah was astonished by the lights, the smell of food, and of course the arcade games he's seeing; Something Lincoln takes notice of.
"Pretty cool right?" Lincoln said. "But before gaming can occur . . ."
Lincoln and Micah are then sitting in a booth as two barbecue bacon cheeseburgers, two large cheese fries, and four water cups are placed in front of them. " . . .always eat before you do so." The two of them then gave their share of money for their respective meals.
Micah examined what was presented in front of them. "What's with the two extra water cups?"
"Oh that's so both of us can stay hydrated and I've already paid for the bill upfront." Lincoln then takes his burger and takes a big bite.
"You know it says that the food here's more expensive than normal restaurants. How come?"
Lincoln takes another bite and swallows it after chewing. "It's so the place can make profit, it's normal for that to happen. How about just start eating before it gets cold?" He then takes another bite and chews.
Micah shrugs off his own concerns, grabs his, and looks at the fillings. "Hmm," He says in his head. "All Burgers are different depending on what they contain inside them and where they're made from. This is made from an arcade kitchen where its contents consist of a few applewood bacon covered with barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese with chopped grilled onions, a well-done ¼ lb beef patty, chopped cooked tomatoes, and a ½ chopped iceberg lettuce from top to bottom all in fresh burger buns. As for my side, it's cooked regular fries covered with melted American cheese to keep it warm while you eat your main entrée. If I guess correctly, this should be a decent meal." He takes a bite from his burger and eats a few fries only to feel shock from what he tastes.
"Actually good!" He thought to himself. "Normal(Buns), Warm(Patty), Ooze(Cheddar Cheese), Cold(Lettuce), Crunchy(Bacon), Tangy(Onion), Juicy(Tomatoes), Sweet and Salty(Barbecue Sauce), Soft(French Fries), and Melty(American Cheese)." He started to understand why kids his age like eating food that comes from arcades as the flavors he's feeling runs through all over his body. "Sure it could be a little expensive, but Lincoln is right. So good!"
What he didn't know was that Lincoln was staring at him with goosebumps this whole time not knowing what he was doing. He then swallows what he has in his mouth in confusion.
After getting their energy from eating, they then bought their own tokens and went to go check out what arcade games there are.
"So you were tasting the exact flavors that were in your mouth instead of just enjoying it?" Lincoln asks.
"Yeah," Micah answers. "What about it?"
"I just never seen anyone do that before." Lincoln decided not to get curious about it. "Never mind that, so there are actually some new game editions since the last time I've been here. What seems interesting to you?"
"Not much." Micah responds. "I mean, isn't the purpose of an arcade for kids and adults is to let lose and have fun?"
"What kind of life has no fun inside themselves?" Lincoln just rolls his eyes and shoves it aside. "Micah, do me a favor and just pick one."
Micah looked around to see if anything was interesting until one caught his eye. "What's that one?" He points to the arcade game that has a giant TV screen with a lit boombox connected under it, two metal platforms where you stand on, and the sides have breakdancers dancing with sunglasses on.
"Oh that," Lincoln and Micah both walk up towards the arcade machine to get a better look. "I think it's called Just Dance-Arcade Edition. It's an arcade version of the popular rhythm game that was released back around in 2019. People love this stuff because of two outcomes: You sweat and you can tell yourself you had fun. I heard that Gus made some tweaks to it so the latest songs can be optional and the way to pick a song might be different than usual. Go ahead, try it."
Micah, agreeing to what Lincoln said, steps on the left platform and inserts a token. Once his token's in, Micah sees that screen changed to display many categories of songs available. He then hears the arcade game talking as Lincoln steps to the side.
"Welcome, please state your full name to the microphone in front of you."
Micah took in the instructions through his head and did what it says. "Micah Jay Ransom."
The game lit green before talking again. "Micah, please pick a song to dance to. You may scroll through the options displayed, search for a song by speaking out loud, or just say 'Random' with some conditions for a random song to dance to."
"Random." Micah's choice displayed a medium level song on the screen.
"You have picked "Jopping" by SuperM. Do you want to dance to this song?"
Micah was positive with this one. "Yes."
Satisfied with Micah's answer, the screen proceeded to start the song while Micah himself got ready for the mood.
Let's Go!
He proceeded to dance.
I don't even care Yeogin uril taeul stage
Left to the right
We gon' make it, make it bang
He copies what the dancer is displaying on the screen
Put your hands in the air
Let me see you bounce
To the left, to the right
Sijak doeneun round
He's accurately matching the moves well.
Round round round round
Round round round round
Round round round round
Lincoln was impressed on Micah first try on the machine
'Cause when we jumping and popping
We jopping
"You're a natural at this Micah. . . ." The former said.
Jopping
" . . .I'm just going to get some water. . . ."
Jopping
" . . .I'll be back in a bit." Lincoln then leaves the area.
Jopping
Micah nods in response without looking away.
You know how we get down (jopping)
Lincoln walks past kids who were playing other arcade games.
How we get down (jopping)
He can hear some of them snickering at him.
How we get down 'cause when we jumping and popping
We jopping
He didn't know why but he just ignores it.
Step on the floor (start a riot)
Where the competition man, it's looking one-sided
He eventually gets another water cup and fills it full.
Up like a 747, we the flyest
He then gets some ice and pours it in.
A lifestyle you should try it
He then started to head back . . .
So sijakhae, make it last
. . . until Chandler blocks his way.
Front to back yeah, yeah (give me that, give me that, give me that)
Lincoln groans at Chandler in his site.
The roof's on fire, let it burn to an ash
Micah, on the other hand, was fine.
We gon' keep it jopping, tell the DJ bring it back, uh
He's having a blast dancing to the beat.
Nara bwa like a paraglide
He questions where Lincoln is.
Natana in a pair of slides
He knows he should've been back by now.
Tteonaja out to paradise
He shrugs it off and continues dancing.
Geonbaebae to a better life
Back with Lincoln, Chandler's still blocking him.
Gotta move, watch the money monsoon
Lincoln was getting annoyed by his arch-rival's presence.
Make the crowd go wild in a small room (yeah)
"What do you want, Chandler?" Lincoln asked.
Let me see you put it all on like a costume
"I just want to check on how you're doing? . . ."
Eodikkaji beonjyeo galji molla
Chandler then smirks. "You know why, don't you?"
We love to move it, keep it going, don't stop
Lincoln was confused by what he was talking about.
It's in your nature
malbae girl what you want
"No I don't." He said.
Chumeul chwo hwa We go on and on
Chandler groans and rolls his eyes.
Champagne life, that's all you want
"Why don't you check social media on your phone?" He suggested.
Don't stop letting it go 'cause we got that glow
Lincoln places the cup aside and reluctantly does so.
You know how we get down (jopping)
He scrolls through to find nothing.
How we get down (jopping)
That was until one topic caught his eyes.
How we get down 'cause when we jumping and popping
We jopping
The headline made him scream on the inside.
I don't even care Yeogin uril taeul stage
"Tug-Of-War; With A Kid?" was the headline.
Left to the right
We gon' make it, make it bang
It was footage of Lincoln's friends trying to free him from the stray dog about two days ago.
Put your hands in the air
Let me see you bounce
Even if it's not recent anymore,. . .
To the left, to the right
Sijak doeneun round
it's still racking up views and likes.
Round round round round
Round round round round
Round round round round
Lincoln was in lost thought as Chandler laughed.
'Cause when we jumping and popping
We jopping
"You really are Lincoln Lame, huh?"
Uh, you think ya big boi, throwing three stacks
Lincoln groans in annoyance. "I don't have time for this."
I'ma show you how to ball, you a mismatch
He tries to leave only to be blocked . . .
Opinionated but I'm always spitting straight facts
. . .by Trent and Richie,
Throwback, I might throw this on an eight track
whom are blocking Lincoln's sides.
Mideo bwa I'm a sight to see
Lincoln realizes he's surrounded.
Exciting go and drop the beat
"I ain't done yet Lincoln Lame." Chandler proclaimed.
We get it jopping the party, it don't stop
Lincoln attempts to squeeze through . . .
Chukjeneun ije buteo sijaginikka
. . .only to be grabbed hold by the trio.
I gosi patiinde bappi eodil ga?
Chandler and Richie held onto his arms . . .
We'll keep it jumping and popping here all night
. . .while Trent grabbed ahold of his legs.
Jump to the front if you want it
Lincoln struggled to break free . . .
Hands up soneul wiro
. . .but failed to do so.
Don't stop letting it go
Chandler comes up with an idea.
Like you don't care
He motions his friends to carry him to the restroom.
I don't even care Yeogin uril taeul stage
The three proceeded to head to the restroom.
Left to the right
We gon' make it, make it bang
Lincoln realizes what's happening
Put your hands in the air
Let me see you bounce
He tried to call Micah for help, . . .
To the left, to the right
Sijak doeneun round
. . .but fails as Micah can't hear him.
Modu hear that sound (hear that sound)
The trio toss him face first to the floor.
Teureul beoseonan hanadoen Sinsegyereul yeolchyeo
They then forcibly dragged him to one of the stalls.
Play the music loud (music loud)
They tried to give Lincoln a swirly, but Lincoln held on to the stall walls to prevent his humiliation.
Sarana 'cause tonight's gonna set you free, yeah yeah (Yeah)
Lincoln held onto dear life as he thought to himself. "Don't think, JUST ACT!"
I don't even care Yeogin uril taeul stage (we don't even care)
He kicks Trent in the knee hard.
Left to the right
We gon' make it, make it bang
He pushes himself up and drags Richie's head into the toilet.
Put your hands in the air
Let me see you bounce
He blocks Chandler's punches and uppercuts him back.
To the left, to the right
Sijak doeneun round
He then kicks Richie back into the toilet and flushes the handle.
I don't even care Yeogin uril tauel stage
He comes out to see Trent lunging at him.
Left to the right
We gon' make it, make it bang
Lincoln kicks him in the stomach and slams the stall door on him, knocking him out.
Put your hands in the air
Let me see you bounce
He turns to Chandler who tries to punch him, . . .
To the left, to the right
Sijak doeneun round
. . .only for Lincoln to block it, karate chop his neck, and punch him back by the nose.
'Cause when we jumping and popping
We jopping
Chandler was standing in place as Lincoln looked right into his eyes. "You should've just let me go." Chandler then fell on his back and was knocked out.
'Cause when we jumping and popping
We jopping
Micah does the final pose to finish his dance, setting a really high score for himself.
Lincoln looks at his surroundings at the three knocked out boys on the ground and sighs. "Oh good, they're just knocked out. I better get back to Micah and get out of here. Who knows what will happen when Gus finds out." He proceeds to leave the restroom and shuts the door.
"Jopping" is by SuperM
