Chapter 9 · Lounge Shorthanded

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Chapter 8	Book 3 • Chapter 9	Chapter 10

Mostro Lounge

This place is hopping.

This is kind of classy.

Jack	Remember, you're in enemy territory here. Stay sharp at all times.

Floyd

Eyyy, Little Shrimpy! Glad you could make it! I see you've got a sea urchin plus-one.

Jack	I told you not to call me that!

Jade	Well, well. Thank you for coming to our establishment so promptly. Welcome to the Mostro Lounge. Is this your first time dining here?

Jack	Y'know, I've been wondering since lunch... Do you have a thing for askin' questions you already know the answers to?

Jade

Heh. I like to keep my bases covered. Now then, if you would allow me to provide you with a rundown of our establishment... The Mostro Lounge is a meeting place for gentlemen. Any quarrels with other dorms are verboten here. Students from all dorms are expected to abide by Octavinelle rules on the premises. We pride ourselves on providing a place for everyone to enjoy under the same set of rules. With that out of the way... How may I assist you today?

I have some anemone business to discuss.

I'd like to speak to the manager.

Jade

Heh heh heh... Very well. The manager is currently meeting with another patron. Could I ask you to wait in the lounge until such time as his schedule opens up? And lest I forget, our establishment has a one-drink minimum. You must order at least a single beverage of some variety. Sea anemone, if you could take our esteemed customer's order?

Deuce

Sorry, I've got drinks to run.

Ace	You do it! We're slammed over here! You keep making us do all the work while you're just sittin' pretty over there.

Floyd

You're talking back to me? How impressively bold for a sea anemone.

Ace	OWWW! Geez!

Deuce

Quit tugging our anemones!

Jade	Azul tasked me with instructing the new staff, so it falls to me to instill proper discipline in those who fail to respect authority.

Deuce

Ow ow ow ow ow! Okay, okay! I get it!

Now hold on a minute!

You're going way overboard here!

Jade	Ah, but you must understand. As I just finished explaining, here in the lounge, everyone must follow our rules.

Floyd

And according to the rules, we're allowed to squeeze problem employees who don't do as they're told!

Jack	Tch... You're just makin' a show out of hazing the rookies in front of us. It's making me sick.

Floyd

Is that your way of offering to take their place helpin' out around the lounge?

Ace	Ooh, that's a great idea! I second that proposal! All in favor? Aye! The ayes have it! [MC] and Jack are hereby nominated temporary assistants, effective immediately!

Jack	Hey, what're you tryin' to pull?!

Jade	We're not picky, really. We'll take anyone, as long as they're willing to pull their weight.

Deuce

You guys wouldn't want to get kicked out of the place, right?

Ace	I'm runnin' on fumes here, and Grim's in the back, up to his eyeballs in soap from dishwashing. C'mon, be a couple of pals and help us out.

Jack	...... Tch... Fine, whatever. The sooner we wrap up our business here, the sooner I can go back to my dorm and catch a few winks.

Ace	What? Dude, it's barely nine. What time do you go to bed?

Jack	I'm always tucked in by ten.

Ace	Whoa, we got a serious model student over here!

Floyd

So I can put both Little Shrimpy and Sea Urchin down for helping out with a shift, yeah? Perf. You can start by running these drinks to table three.

TWISTUNE

Twistune Dialogue - Help Out at the Lounge!
Twistune Start
Jade	Don't keep our customers waiting, now. And Jack, try not to scowl so when interacting with clientele.
Ace	Pffft! A scowl like that would have anyone running for the hills!
Jack	What? I'm not scowling.
Floyd	Hey, no slackin' off boys. I'm keepin' an eye on you.
After Phase 1
Pass Deuce It's a lot easier with you helping, Jack. Ace Yeah, I thought you'd bungle it, but you're doing pretty well. Jack It's not that hard once you learn what to do. And [MC]'s been givin' me pointers, too. Jade Ha ha. Keep up the good work. Fail Jade The kitchen hasn't received table 2's order yet. Please try to stay on top of that. Jack I kept people waitin' because of my slip-up? Sorry. That's on me. Floyd Awww, is this too hard for a widdle puppy like you? Aha ha! Jack Urgh! I won't make the same mistake twice. Ace Uh-oh. Here comes Mr. Do-No-Wrong.
After Phase 2
Pass Jack We've put in all the outstanding orders. Deuce And it wore us to the bone in the process... Floyd Wow, nice job. That mean you're still up for more? Jade In that case, you can get to washing dishes, serving food, and making drinks. Jack Have mercy on a guy, will ya? Fail Jack *Huff* *Huff* I'm beat. Floyd Ha ha ha! Lookit you all, down and out like beached jellyfish! Jade This is no time to rest on your laurels. There are orders to be delivered. We mustn't keep out esteemed customers waiting. Heh heh heh... Ace Ugh, fine, we're moving! Dang tyrant...

---

Jack	Phew. The crowds're finally dying down.

Floyd

You practically put that rush in a headlock and gave it a noogie! 'Preciate the helping hand, Little Shrimpy and pal.

Azul	You got a veritable madhouse of customers under control. Most impressive indeed.

Jack

Azul!

Azul	My apologies for the wait. The VIP room is ready now. Right this way, if you would. Jade. Floyd. Get our customers some tea.

Jade & Floyd

Right away, sir.

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