When Bart came home after a long bus ride home, he decided not to fill his family in on the events of that day. He didn't really feel like telling them his own personal murderer ordered a coffee from him today. He took his phone and scrolled down his contact list, stopping on Milhouse. His best friend would be worried for sure, but he could be a good listener.

"Hey, man! So, how's work going?" Milhouse sounded happy for him as well. But he had to tell someone.

"It was going well, but... hey, remember Sideshow Bob?"

"Sideshow Bob? Yeah, what about him?" His friend's tone dropped in cheerfulness.

"Apparently he likes the place I work at, he's a customer there. I had to serve him today."

A few seconds of silence.

"Shit, Bart... Did he try anything? You're not going back, then, are you?"

"No, he didn't try anything... Wait, of course I'm going back! I don't wanna quit just because Sideshow Bob is there. He can't try to kill me there, it's too-"

"No way, Bart! He's a criminal on the loose, you know him better than I do and he only wants you dead! You're just gonna keep showing up as if everything's normal?"

Mihouse had a point there. Sure, Bob had done nothing to try and kill him, but Bart knew he was patient. His dedication didn't need anymore proof, he could very well be waiting for him outside one day and stab him in the back. Or who knew what else. Bart sighed.

"Look, man. I have a day off tomorrow, so we'll talk about it then alright? I'm pooped."

"Humph. Fine, talk to you tomorrow."

Bob's day ended on another awful note. Dealing with budget cuts more and more by the day, he started witnessing the decadence of the town. He had held hopes for Shelbyville's cultural direction, but it seemed the neighboring town's rotten influence had seeped here, like a virus keen on destroying everything he stood for. Speaking of Springfield, there was now another rock sent for Bob to trip over.

Bart Simpson...

Seeing the pest the previous day certainly felt like Fate particularly enjoyed reminding Bob of his previous life, no matter how hard he tried to move on. New city, new job, yet the insufferable brat had managed to crawl his way back into his present situation.

He was now a young man, although Bob apparently still had an effect on him, much to his delight. Knowing he could still strike fear into Bart's heart had somehow made his day better. Perhaps another visit to his usual spot could brighten his day once more.

He entered the café once again, looking around for the nuisance but feeling a tinge of disappointment at his absence. No matter, he thought, he would enjoy his coffee here – Bart or no Bart.

"What will it be today, Robert?" Dave took his order, as there were very few customers.

"Just the usual, thank you."

His usual coffee was brought to him and he wondered if Bart was hiding from him, or even if he had stopped coming altogether because of him. He found the mere thought almost as good as his drink.

"Say, I met your new hire, yesterday."

"Oh, Bart? Yeah, he's been here just two days, and he needs some serious training. But I s'ppose he's a good kid."

"A good kid..." Bob smiled into his cup, finding the irony absolutely delicious.

"I hope you didn't have any problem with him. He kept calling you Bob, so I rectified him on that. You know him?"

Dave probably expected him to be offended, since Bob had made it a point to be called by his proper name in the new life he had striven to build for himself.

He put his cup down and sighed darkly.

"He can call me Bob all he wants." He spat. Dave raised his eyebrows in surprise, but didn't further the matter and left him alone.

It must have been surprising coming from him. But as much as he tried to run away from his former life, Bart appeared to remain a constant he could never change.

How interesting it had been to meet him after all these years. The young man was obviously still deathly afraid of him, and with good reasons. He had grown into a handsome young man, truth be told, yet his reaction of the previous day had shown Bob he'd had a long-lasting impression on him since he was a child. How he had missed those scared blue eyes...

Bob shook his head and sipped the last drop of his coffee. There had been no point in coming back here so soon – he had no reason to change his habits for Bart. It was just harmless fun to see him work here, as he no longer held any murderous intents towards the boy. Or man, rather.

Bob paid - leaving no tip.

"I don't know if you know Bart, but he'll be in tomorrow." Dave called out as he left.

Good.