30 A Hard Lesson (1/2)

Alan went and began to grind coffee beans for the espresso.The coffee, after being ground, appeared like granulated sugar.Then he carefully divvied out about 14 grams of the now ground coffee.Technically such an amount was considered a ”double shot” of espresso.However, it was essentially one serving of espresso.Then he carefully applied pressure to it with the portafilter, tamping the ground coffee evenly so it had an even, polished appearance.

Taking the portafilter with the coffee in it he put it in the coffee machine.He put a small glass that looked almost like a shot glass just below it.Then he activated the machine.Hot pressurized water went through the portafilter, forcing out a small stream of golden brown coffee that fell into the shot glass just below.

10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds passed in total.After 30 seconds, a golden brown coffee with a trace of foam on the surface sat in the shot glass.He pulled out some crema and mixed in a small amount; the foam on top took the cream and pulled it in creating a golden foamy mixture on top of the coffee, more lightly flavored than the dark, rich coffee beneath it.

Though his cafe had become famous for the froth art he made on the cappuccino, Alan still thought that true art lay in brewing a perfect cup of coffee.

The condensed nature of the espresso made it so that the drink was essentially coffee in its simplest, purest form.As a result, when appreciating the beauty of it, Alan felt he was appreciating the beauty of coffee itself, of its most intrinsic qualities.The shot glass was filled with that rich, dark brown coffee topped with the golden crema foam.He sat back for a second, admiring it as he waited for it to cool just slightly so he could carry it out.

Walking back out he put it in front of Tom.

Tom eyed the espresso closely before nodding in satisfaction.”As expected, anything you make is perfect Alan.”

Alan smiled slightly and then went back to clean up the kitchen.The difference between today and yesterday was apparent to Alan; yesterday he'd had a line throughout the entirety of his business hours.Today, it had clearly tapered off.

He realized why the mission had appeared so simple.The reality was that most of the people who had come to try the coffee didn't want to come every day.After all, it was so expensive.The coffee was excellent and had a good effect, but most people wouldn't be able to fit it into their budget.Especially the average people who had come to try it.

He had to switch back to his previous mindset of attracting rich, elite customers.

As he thought this the bell on the door to the cafe rang as someone opened it and walked inside.Alan looked up to find a familiar face staring at him.

Zachary Taylor stood there looking sheepish.

Alan was somewhat surprised but went over to him.”Good morning.Can I help you with something?”

Zachary shifted his weight slightly to his other foot, then back, before saying, ”Yes, well, I'd like to order a coffee.I want to give your cafe a proper review.”

Alan didn't find this surprising.In order to fix his reputation Zachary needed to properly try the coffee and review it.Only then would people begin to trust him again.

However, he was out of luck today.

Alan nodded his head and said, ”I see.Unfortunately I cannot serve you coffee.”

Zachary's face paled.”Look, if this is about the tweet, I'm sorry.I was just trying to stir up things on Twitter and get some new followers.You can understand that, can't you?”

Alan nodded again.”I understand.Unfortunately I still cannot serve you coffee.”He pointed to the chalk board with the menu and rules on it.”As you can see, one of the rules of the cafe is that you cannot waste coffee.You have to finish what you order.Yesterday, you didn't finish your cappuccino.Thus, I cannot serve you as you have been blacklisted by the cafe.”

Zachary looked taken aback, but then grew angry.”What sort of rule is that?Look, let me talk to the owner.I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement.”

Alan shook his head.”I am the owner.I'm afraid the rules are non-negotiable.You have to finish your coffee in order to continue to come here.”

Zachary stared at him helplessly.At the end of the day he was practically a kid, and it showed as he grew slightly teary eyed.He was getting scolded on Twitter left and right, even his friends were giving him looks.He hadn't really considered the consequences of his actions; not how they would affect Alan, nor how they could affect him.