cuckoo | cooky ● audrie | howon
"Uh," is the first thing he says, after he makes sure the plate is in the sink.
It's the only sound he makes, and he stares at her for at least four seconds before he manages another. "Uh."
Slow days usually mean only three people present in the restaurant: Howon (the busboy), Soyeon (the waitress), boredom (the customer). So the appearance of a fourth catches Howon a little off guard, but it's fine - he should be used to strays coming in at three in the afternoon.
(But what is she doing in the kitchen?)
He had very nearly dropped the plate he was holding, upon seeing her. His mind scrambles helplessly and comes to ridiculous conclusions: she's his new boss, she's kidnapped Soyeon, she's an apparition. The only thing he's completely sure of is the fact that the plate is in the sink. The plate is safe. The plate isn't going to get him fired.
"Uh," he says again.
Nothing seems to register.
(But what is she doing in the kitchen?)
He wants to ask her a million questions, most of them regarding his fellow coworker - how did she get past Soyeon / where is Soyeon / is she Soyeon's friend / is she Soyeon with heavy plastic surgery - but mostly, he wants her out of the kitchen. She's making him a lot more nervous than she should be.
Breathe, he tells himself. The plate is in the sink.
"Miss," he begins slowly, "are you.. are you looking for the bathroom?"
