A LAN cafe,
Brookings, South Dakota, USA
With the rise of free internet on the nearby college campus, there came a predictable decline in business for the local cafe. Lowering their daily rates to a soul sucking minimum spiked their consumer base on weekends, when students left the safety of their dorms to air the dust from their lungs, but it did little to keep the small shop afloat during target hours.
As a small town, a few High School students did serve as regular patrons. Aside from them, several teens who never went on to college came there during their their downtime from work to get away from home. It served as something of a refuge.
"Ah, Tob," the kindly older face behind the counter greeted as the doorbell buzzed and a familiar face appeared. "Good to see you. Don't be too upset, but your favorite spot got picked over by a few of the kids earlier."
"It's alright, Don," the youth greeted, "I'm just glad to hear you're getting business."
"Yeah," Don snorted. "Yeah. Right."
Tobias grinned and placed a few dollars on the table, more than enough to cover the overhead charges and the cost of a refillable fountain drink for the evening. Don rang him up cheerfully, then directed him toward the back corner of the cafe.
His friends were, predictably, awaiting him. "Took you long enough, Stills," Bradley jested as he softly punched the other youth in the arm. "Ol' Drew was about to fall to pieces without his best friend here to wipe his tears."
"Shuddup Brad," Drew muttered. Tobias placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "It's been a rough couple of days, guys."
"So I heard," Tobias said softly. "Elise just up and said it was over? That's not like her."
"She was seeing Marty on the side," Drew whispered. He pointed his mouse over the browser and toggled his social media page. "I found out a week ago from Jessie, but I didn't believe it until I saw them together the other day. When I asked about it, she said I don't trust her, and that the relationship wasn't going to work out."
"Hard to trust a liar," Brad said under his breath.
Tobias elbowed him in the ribs. "Easy, tiger. He's grieving a loss." The largest of the three looked down to their diminutive friend and shook his head.
"I'm just mad for him, is all." There was a noncommittal grunt between the three of them that confirmed their feelings on the matter. Tobias scrawled through his own messages and clicked open one from a friend, some few States away.
"Hey, remember Darlene?" he asked. "The girl who somehow got accepted to Syracuse, out in New York? She just sent me a message."
"Oh man," Drew's face lit up. "She always had the hots for you, didn't she? Is it a confession? Think you'll date her?"
"No way man," Tobias threw his hands up defensively. "We were never like that. Her dad was my DM for a couple of years and we stayed in touch. She messages me sometimes when a new game catches her eye. She's found this one that just took off locally where she's at-"
"Ah, phooey," Drew waved a hand dismissively. "Here I was hoping my loss was your gain, and you've got your nose in some game. C'mon, Tobes. Wanna grab a slice?"
Tobias let out a laugh. "Sure thing," he shook his head and saved the file marked "Terrasphere" for later. He'd check that out at home.
"Hey, Don," Brad called out, "can we get a large Chicago style, extra cheese, some peppers and Italian sausage, with the spicy marinara?"
"You got it," Don scrawled the order out on paper, and Tobias flicked over to his chat. "I wonder who's online..."
