video;

[eatsyourscience]

[Anyone who has been in the diner has probably at least seen, if not spoken to Souji. He's worked there for years, and he does all the cooking. So today, it should be no surprise that that's where he is when he starts up the recording.

He is rather tired, and sounds it when he speaks.]

I'm thinking of closing down the diner. It's just me working here now. I've run it before by myself and I don't really want to do that again.

[He pauses and sighs softly. He feels like he's holding the diner hostage--"Someone come help me out, or the diner gets it."]

I also don't really want to lose it. But without some help, it's not sustainable for me to do it alone.

[Having a part-time job is possibly the most natural thing he could ever have done in Wonderland. But this isn't a part-time job, it's basically become his life. He's tired of that.]

Anyway, if anyone wants to volunteer to help out, that would be great.

[He ends the feed there.]

Comments

[powerofmabel]

No way a beloved Wonderland institution is closing down on Mabel's watch! What do I have to do? Do you need a resume? I could get you a resume.

[video]

[normandysbest]

Is it really just you now? When I came in it seemed like it was so many people.

[There have been a lot disappearing lately. It's... unsettling, to watch stuff like this happen.]

[jamminshield]

Noooo! [Steven cries out just at the thought of closing down the diner! ...Then, after a beat, he goes on.] I'll help however I can! I'm not much of a chef, but I know a thing or two. And I could be great at waiting! I could be a super-supportive waiter, orrrr maybe I could pull off being a sassy waiter with a heart of gold!

[talesuntold]

I don't keep consistent hours, but I like to cook if you need an extra pair of hands.

private video

[255000255000255]

[ Her smile's bittersweet. She can only imagine how tough this must be for him. It's not too hard to sense it.

At least she can offer some encouragement. ]

I wish I could help. Ahaha, doubt you need a digital order taker, though.

[ She'd probably burn the place down if she had a full time body, anyway. She was no Natsuki. Which was good, because she hated Natsuki. ]

At least it looks like you might be conducting some interviews soon, boss.

[startingpoint]

[ He debates on whether or not he really wants to respond. From being an FBI agent to potentially...cooking up diner food? Really?

But it would give him something to do, at least. ]

I’m interested. I can cook, if you need that.

[eatsyourscience]

If you really want to give me a resume, I won't stop you, but it's not necessary. Everything that needs to be done here is really easy, other than the cooking.

[video]

[eatsyourscience]

We had four for a while, when Kanji and Chara were still here. Then it was just Minato and me for a while, but he's gone now, too.

[The workforce at the diner has always fluctuated due to comings and goings. It's only recently Souji's started feeling burnt out on it though.]

[eatsyourscience]

You could be a different kind of waiter each day and see which one you like best.

[eatsyourscience]

Any time you could help would be great. I can't pay anyone, so I can't exactly expect them to show up for regular shifts.

private video

[eatsyourscience]

Thankfully. I'm a little surprised people are interested.

[He definitely should have made this appeal sooner.]

[eatsyourscience]

I won't turn down help of any kind.

[He normally does the cooking, but he's happy to let someone else take care of that while he cleans up or waits tables or does something crazy and, you know, takes a day off.]

[talesuntold]

Then I'm in. I can be there for a full shift every day, it just may not be the same shift. My sleep schedule tends to vary wildly.

The one other concern is that I'm also a little averse to handling meat, considering I come from a zombie world. Do you think all of Wonderland will stage a revolt if I serve them turkey burgers instead of beef? [She could most likely get over her issues. If she wears gloves. Which she'll probably do a fair bit of the time anyway.]

[eatsyourscience]

[He smiles a little. Yeah, he can imagine zombie worlds could put a person off red meat pretty quickly.]

I don't think it would be a problem. If I'm there with you, I can handle it. Or people can go to the dining room.

[Not the same as the diner experience, but a good second option.]

[talesuntold]

Good. I'm Maggie, by the way.

When should I start? And do you want me to cook you a meal first so you can be sure I won't be the reason your diner goes out of business?

[jamminshield]

I could! Every day would be like a new adventure! Okay then, I wanna go for the job! I have some experience working at the Big Donut! ...Uh, but my references are kinda out of reach currently!

[startingpoint]

Tell me when to show up and I'll be there.

Do you need me to uh, cook up samples or something first?

[ It seems informal enough, but never hurts to ask, he figures. ]

[video]

[uncoils]

Yo, I'm not really great at cooking or anything like that, but if you need help, I'm sure I can wash dishes or write down orders or something.

[It seems weird offering to work here given that there's no money or no reason for it, but she had friends that worked there. And Souji's a friend who needs help, so that's what she'll do.]

[255000255000255]

[ She makes a noise of disbelief. ] Why wouldn't they? It's such a staple at this point, isn't it?

[ Giggling, she winks. ] And I think people are pretty willing to help someone who's had to deal with this place for so long. Somebody's gotta brush the cobwebs off of you every now and then. Getting them into the food wouldn't be very hygienic~

[eatsyourscience]

It's nice to meet you. I'm Souji.

You can start as soon as you want. And...

[He thinks for a second. Experience with people cooking at home should really have taught him to be more wary. So he nods.]

Actually, that's probably a good idea.

[eatsyourscience]

That's okay. We'll do this on the honor system.

[eatsyourscience]

[He laughs softly at that.] I guess I am getting to be like a piece of furniture here. It's nice getting to talk to people I don't really know. I feel like I should know everyone by now.

[Not that that's really possible, with so many comings and goings.]

[eatsyourscience]

Come up any time. I can use the help pretty much all the time right now.

And...that might be a good idea. It's not really a formal kind of thing, but I've had some...experiences with people trying to cook and failing miserably.

[video]

[eatsyourscience]

Anything you can do would be helpful at this point. It's kind of hard to cook and wait tables at the same time.

[jamminshield]

Great, that sounds honorable! So when do I start? Is there an orientation? And is there a training video? Ooh, and if there isn't, can I make one?