Life goes on.

"You're paying me in food, 'cause I owe you a hell of a lot more than a few hours pay." Banks shook his head even as he made a face at the latest order that'd been sent in and started on it. It was like second nature, a shit job among many shit jobs that somehow made it to the top of the pile by the time that he left it behind. He wasn't going to take anything for granted again, if he had to shove the money back in Monroe's pockets before he left for the day. "Cass won't be the one mad at you, not when she's the one feeding the both of us most days. At least I can bring home a meal for once that isn't fast food or junk from the station."

Monroe shook his head towards Banks as he put an order out for one of the customers before going to ring up some books for someone who brought up a small pile, smiling as he made small talk with the customer before going back to Banks. "Oh you're getting the money too. Let me please pay you, it will make me feel better about asking you to come in to help on your day off."

allegra: that's true! allegra: ya girl don't have time to watch the first thing so... allegra: tomorrow @ 9, sounds gucci ?

monroe: tomorrow @ 9 sounds perfect monroe: Want me to bring anything?

cosmicallyhadlee

"Literally. They're missing the whole point by burning it. Or maybe they aren't..." She pondered the thought as she walked toward the counter. She tried to set the books down gently, but there's only so much one can do holding more than a dozen and they fell to the counter with a heavy thud. "Either way, the printers need to find a better material for that one. 'Rebels' are gonna be burning it til the end of days. I'd love if you could get me a couple. Anything new coming you're looking forward to?"

Monroe nodded as he started to ring up the books in the pile. "I don't think that they will start changing the paper type. Not when they can make more money when people have to rebuy the books." He shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Anything for you. I also am not even thinking about adding anything new to my to be read list." He said and laughed. "I have so many on that list already."

allegra: maybe we can find some resume of what we miss on the first movie on youtube... allegra: and watch the second second, so my question is yay or nay ?

Monroe: Oooh, we could do that. You can find anything on youtube nowadays... Monroe: Yay, when and where?

willathyssen

Being granted a sociable nature was a gift that Willa was entirely grateful for; not many could form connections, or make impressions like she did — that wasn't to say they were all positive, sometimes, she made bad impressions, saying the wrong thing, or insulting somebody unintentionally. Despite those rare few moments, she was well-versed in 'social butterfly' speak. In fact, it was crucial in business. It was how, even with her lack of experience, that she had been able to take Seoul Kitchen to new heights.

She brought her hands together, clasping them together excitedly. The smile lifting, only growing with his suggestion. "Monroe, you're a genius — I think that would be amazing, and I don't think you'd have much trouble roping the other locals in. They're all about sharing what's special about Starlight Oaks with the world, and by world — I mean, the visitors that come through town and your café," she assured, taking a long, deliberate sip of her coffee, before resting it on the coaster. "I'm sure the community center could do with more donations; keep those programs running, you know? Those classes don't happen without everybody's contribution."

Monroe nodded his head, sitting back in his chair, happy with the idea that had come to his mind. "It could have a little blurb in there about the restaurant and maybe the owners and then about the dish and why it's so special to them and what it represents." He shrugged his shoulders some. "I do like the idea of the profits going towards the community center though. You wanna help me with this thing? As much as I like books and I know cafe stuff, recipes and making dishes and cookbooks aren't really my area of expertise here. Plus you have a ton more connections than I do."

cosmicallyhadlee

"What would we do without you?" She grinned. She wasn't sure how, but Monroe always managed to get them the books most publishers didn't want to sell, whether they be rare or older runs. Aside from the new James Patterson and Janet Evanovich, he'd managed to get them a couple copies of a book that hadn't been printed since the late 80's, early 90's. She started loading up her arms with the other books on hers and the library's list. "Do you have any more Fahrenheit 451? Someone thinks their smart and keeps burning our copies."

Monroe loved a good hunt, which made some of the requests from the library really fun for him. He looked at the shelf next to him before going back to his computer system. He usually had hand written lists, because he liked the old school paper and pencil things, but he was slowly getting everything digitized. "Straight to jail with them. Like damn, why destroy a perfectly good book? I know we are all tired of reading that one but they don't have to take the plot so seriously do they?" He shook his head as he typed into the computer. "We don't have any in stock but I'll see about getting some more for you guys."

allegra: no way! allegra: is it my lucky day?! allegra: u can watch the first once you watched the 2nd.

Monroe: So it'll still make sense watching 2 before 1? Monroe: I don't know if I trust that...

Banks squinted. He could make out a sign in the window but the words were backwards and harder to read from his position behind the counter as he shook it off. Maybe it was just him not paying attention again when he walked in to even notice it. "That's got to be a new one. Who doesn't want to work a cushy indoor job when so many of the others are manual labor for less pay?" Or at least that was what he ran into before and after working for Monroe. Even now, on the days when he wasn't put on shift left him looking for gigs that would pay quick cash so he could keep working to settle old debts. Banks groaned as he finished the drink he'd been making and slid it over to the mobile pick up section of the counter. "You don't have to pay me, other than in food. Cass would kill me if I left here empty handed." Though he could use the money, Banks wasn't there to take more than he'd already been given by the other.

That sign had been up for far longer than Monroe could remember and he had half a mind to take it down and just work more hours himself. That option wasn't ideal because he already didn't leave enough time for his personal life, or lack there of one. He just was tired of seeing it hanging there with nobody interested in taking up the empty spot. "You'd be surprised, but it's all good, it's what I have you for." He said with a laugh as he looked to Banks. "I'm not gonna let you leave without being paid for the time you were here Banks, in food and money because I don't need Cass comin' after me for letting you leave without something to eat."

@starteroaks

allegra: who wanna watch dune part 2 with me? allegra: got the tickets ;)

monroe: I mean, I would love to. monroe: I haven't seen Dune 1 yet though...

"So do everything then?" It was a joke, because he'd done every job under the sun to get any kind of cash in his pockets over the years. Monroe had been more than a boss to him, even if he had given him one of his better jobs as a kid but that only made it something he wanted to pay back the other for as best he could. "You really got to put up a sign for help wanted in the window or something," he added as he rolled his sleeves up and moved back behind the counter to see the list of drinks that were already being worked on before he jumped right in. "What happened to the other kids that were just like me that could use a job? Aren't they knocking down your door?"

Monroe laughed, shaking his head. "There is a sign on the window." He looked over towards Banks. "There's been a few, but not many of those teens want to work in a bookstore or a cafe." He said with a shrug. He supposed it was time to put another ad in the paper since it had come down to only 3 full time employees plus Banks. "You are one in a million." He grinned as he finished up what he was doing. "On top of the pay, you can take home all the extra food that we don't sell." He said and started to help finish up the drinks.

willathyssen

closed | white rabbit bookstore & café | @monrcecoleman

If there was one thing that her grandparents stressed when she became co-owner, it had been to foster and nourish those interpersonal relationships with other business owners in Starlight Oaks. Fortunately for Willa, she knew many of them; growing up in town had its advantages, and one said advantage would have been the budding relationship she already shared with Monroe. A teenage Willa loved this place. Her own very slice of paradise, away from the demands of her home life. Try being a straight-A student, mathlete and varsity cheer captain.

When Willa took over, it was only natural that Monroe be one of the first people she reached out to. A bright smile peeked over the rim of her cup, and she leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially, "I was thinking we could set-up another collaboration between Seoul Kitchen and White Rabbit. Haven't quite figured out just what we'll do yet, but I wanted to pick your brain... as long as you're into the idea."

Monroe sat back in the chair, looking around the cafe area, carefully holding his mug to his lips and taking a drink. He was notorious about spilling his drink on himself, doing it at least once a day without fail. He nodded and thought for a moment. "I mean, I am always down for a collaboration, especially with you." He said with a smile as he sat up. "I mean, we can obviously have some of your food here, any desert type things, maybe even like a buy a book, get a discount thing. I'm sure we can come up with something."

"Also, I'm thinking of maybe adding a section for cookbooks or like recipe books or something and I want to make sure we have international ones, but maybe local ones where we can feature some dishes from the local restaurants. What do you think of that? Maybe profits go it go to charity?" Monroe said as he looked towards Willa, taking another drink from his mug before sitting it down on the table in front of him.

cosmicallyhadlee

Who: @monrcecoleman Where: White Rabbit Bookstore

Hadlee walked into the bookstore with a shopping list and collapsible wagon. Next to the library, the White Rabbit was one of their favorite places in town and she'd spent many hours browsing the shelves or attending book-talks. When they'd started working at the library, they were stoked to hear that this was where they got a majority of the books that didn't come direct from the publisher. She liked supporting local (didn't everyone?) and the opportunity to shop at her favorite bookstore was only ever a bonus.

They'd been sent out to pick up an order they'd placed and to pick up a few replacement copies the library'd been meaning to get. If there was a little extra money for her to pick up a few things, that was between her and her wallet. She parked the collapsed wagon just inside the door and started walking the shelves. "Hey Monroe!" She called to the owner, who was working the register with a customer.

Monroe had wanted to have a working relationship with the library as soon as he opened up the shop. He was raised in the library and it was somewhere he could go to escape from the real world problems that he was having. He was proud of the relationship he and the library had. He looked up from the register once Hadlee said hello and he offered her a wave. "Hey Had, how's it going?" He asked before thanking the customer and turning to grab the library's order.

Setting the box on the counter, Monroe went around it and over towards his regular customer. "I got the order for the library all ready for you once you're done grabbing whatever it is for yourself."

Luck had to be Monroe's middle name by this point, considering that if the other had sent the emergency text on any other day of the week that Banks would have been on shift. There weren't many that could rely on Banks, less so that he could rely on others, but Monroe was someone that he trusted implicitly over the years even with the trouble that he'd been in and out of for as long as they'd known each other. "You may be one of the only people to ever say that to me and mean it," he called back out, shuffling out of his jacket quickly before hanging it up alongside the few others that hung on the rack by the front door. "Where do you need me?"

#[and the story continues...]

Monroe couldn't help but smile as the other asked where he was needed. He knew that he could always count on Banks and he in turn, would be there for the other whenever he needed. "If you want to catch up on taking the orders and then help me fulfilling them." He said as he started to grab the mugs to continue making the orders. He turned to look at how many people were in line, grateful for the business. He got the coffees ready and then plated the baked goods they ordered before calling out the name on the order.

status: closed who: @aetherfms Where: White Rabbit Bookstore & Cafe

Monroe didn't have any blood relatives left in his life that he knew of, but he did have those he considered family, which included Banks. He loved Banks like a little brother he never actually had and he loved the time that the two of them got to spend together, even if it was spent at the store trying to get it together. He was there by himself that day and had sent out an sos to Banks when it started to get too busy for one person to realistically handle. He was grateful when he got a thumbs up in reply, knowing help was on the way. He looked up when he heard the door open and grinned. "Man, am I happy to see you!" He shouted out.

nephayvms

˙ ˖ ✶ Monroe

"This is either the most elaborate set up for a blind date, or we're in a hallmark movie without realizing it." Omari said in jest before taking a seat across from him, offering the man a smile before wondering why this place had been so packed at this time of day. "Thanks, I would've probably cried if I didn't get a good burrito in me, and that's not a pretty sight anyone would want to see. But being saved my generous hot guys on a beach is something I can scratch off my bingo card this year."