Internet 24

THROUGH ADAM'S EYES

I pop a bag of gummies open, a cream soda, and Dr Pepper sit behind my cash and pop a video on my phone. The food is served, and that's all I expect them to eat. The cursed woman got a chop cheese with her smiley friend getting the same. Demon boy Lou got a turkey deli sub, and the troubled boy got a chicken parm. Fries for all.

I see their faces morph from low-expectations grins to mind-blown shock. Yeah, I take pride in my food, and I see myself able to go toe to toe with any chef and barista in Austin. Lou and Marcy sit beside each other with their respective partners.

I know I should mind my own business, but the air is thick here, and it's not because of the storm. I feel the air chill, and that table is about to break out into drama. As an owner, I should leave my customers be...nah, this will be good.

MANNY

Can I get some napkins?

KATE

You're a mess. Let me guess, it's on your pants?

MANNY

It has a lot of sauce.

Lou hands Manny a napkin., While giving him the "look." You know, the "do what we talked about" look. Manny doesn't notice. His head is down, and his eyes are on the fat marinara stain on his pants. He is wiping and wiping as his face starts to match the sauce.

Lou nudges. Lou gestures to Kate, who isn't paying attention. Manny gestures to his sandwich. Lou shakes his head no and gestures at Kate again, this time with more force. Manny gives in.

With a gentle smile and a bead of sweat down his forehead, Manny speaks to Kate. She, on the other hand, has her eyes on her sandwich.

MANNY

We forgot the drinks. Kate, do you mind

coming with me and picking out some drinks.

KATE

Take Lou instead.

MANNY

Well, he's eating.

KATE

And I'm not?

MANNY

No, what I meant was...

Marcy gets up from the table. Lou's eyes lock on and shoot up like a puppy hearing the word park.

MARCY

It's okay, I'll get them.

LOU

Then I'll go too!

Kate grabs Marcy's arm to sit her down with a smile. Marcy is caught by surprise.

KATE

Perfect, Marcy, you can sit back down. Lou volunteered to go.

LOU

Oh, I was going...

Lou is defeated as Manny gets up from his seat. Both of me, with slumped shoulders, walk as Kate gives a soft smile and wave. Lou and Manny walk away toward the refrigerators.

I catch Lou pulling Manny behind a row of snacks by the refrigerators. I turn to see Kate drop the smile. Her eyes focused on where Lou and Manny are. With me in the center and a beautiful view of the calamity.

Lou whispers and screams, thinking no one can hear him. The table can't, but I can. Kate, no smiles, all business, speaks to Marcy, who can't hide her indecision.

Both Lou and Kate are radiating a hot aura. It's clear from both of their conversations that both sharks smell blood in the water. Both think they're making the right choice for Marcy. Both are uncertain about their opponent's next move.

LOU

What was that?

MANNY

I tried.

KATE

You ready?

MARCY

Now?

LOU

All you have to do is talk to Kate. Then I'll make my move.

KATE

I'll make sure Manny isn't near, and you can go in and do what you need to do.

MANNY

It won't work.

MARCY

This doesn't feel appropriate.

LOU & KATE

It's fine. I got this.

With drinks in hand, Lou and Manny are back at the table. Lou raises a drink to me like I didn't see him take it. He twists the cap and speaks.

LOU

Hey, I got these four.

ADAM

Don't worry, the show will cover that.

Lou raises an eyebrow at this. Doesn't help that I am smirking, but the charisma is too sweet. Who has the guts to speak first? Will she still break up with him if he proposes? Will he freak out if she breaks up with him? ...I am now worried for my shop.

Kate makes the first move. She feigns surprise and pushes her drink away. She is overacting, but everyone is too nervous to notice.

KATE

I'm not feeling this drink.

Kate pulls Manny by the arm right out of his seat and toward the refrigerator.

KATE

Manny, come with me and help me pick out another one.

I watch Mr Sea Salt Romance sweat in his seat. He watches Marcy pick at her plate of fries with her fork. Both struggled to think of how to speak. I'm tempted to run over and blurt it out, but I shouldn't. This is their business, now mine. I'll just watch the show.

LOU

You haven't had any of your curly fries? Are you feeling okay?

MARCY

I wasn't craving it. You can have them.

Without an hesitation coral brains starts picking fries off Marcy's plate.

MARCY

Lou, I have something to tell you.

LOU

Oh, me too. I should go first.

MARCY

Of course, You always must go first.

I barely made out what she said as she spoke under her breath. Lou is too into his head to notice what she said. Kate and Manny's conversation grows more intense, but they still whisper. I can't hear what they say, but Kate, it's clear by Manny's dumbfounded expression that Marcy is explaining what Marcy is about to do.

Lou swallows his nerves and, I think, literally as his Adam apple wobbles and speaks.

LOU

Trust me, you'll love it.

MARCY

This is important, and I should tell you what I need to do.

Marcy looks at her plate, avoiding eye contact. Lou goes for the box in his pocket but doesn't take it out yet.

MARCY

Lou, we've been together for a long time.

LOU

Feels weird, right? Thinking about how many years it's been.

MARCY

Please let me talk. I need to say this now, or I... we've been together for a long time—

MANNY

NO!!!