Notes

🥐 CAFE TROUVAILLE ☕

Lisa watches Hikari's feet tapping the floor and a smile appears on her lips. The tallest one completed a mental note when Hikari's voice emerged from the song. "You will see, Hikari Pikari". Lisa winked at her friend. The name of the young woman meant 'Light' in Japanese while 'Pikari' means "in a flash"/"sparklingly"/"brilliantly". The pet name seemed The to fit appropriately after Lisa felt the word leap from her lips. Then the elevator doors open and they are greeted by a delicious combination of aromas in an air-conditioned environment with strategically placed tables, sofas and armchairs positioned, where people could enjoy their orders in good company, with music serving as the soundtrack for their conversations. The menu changes every day. Different drinks and side dishes from different places in the world. Different versions of known drinks and side dishes that renew the way people perceive flavors, aromas and textures. There were tablet computers hidden in a compartment present on the surfaces of the tables, coffee tables positioned in front of the sofas and on the armchairs. With the press of a discreet button the device's whereabouts were revealed. Each tablet had an anti-theft system, accompanied by a tracker. If the devices were to leave the establishment, without being rescued by the security team present in the hidden security room accessible from the mirror in the vestibule, any tablet would automatically stop working. Not to mention cyber security that prevented network attacks. The tablets allowed the customer to check in individually or in groups at the establishment, explore the menu of the day, click on each option in order to read about it and place the order without leaving their seats. It also allowed the customer to leave positive, constructive comments and suggestions; to send a message to other customers, starting conversations. The system of the Cafe, which runs twenty-four hours a day, registered the customer with a random fictitious name of popular culture characters, that name was visible to all other registered customers. An algorithm protects customers from Trolling and harassers, so no inappropriate message reached its recipient because it was barred. When the name first appears on the screen, the customer can click on it to get to know the character if it does not sound familiar. The fictitious names were a creative way to preserve the customers' identity and at the same time connect them both virtual and personally. Not to mention expanding their horizons by getting to know new things. Lisa's eyes landed on a large surrealist painting on one wall. The visual message conveyed by the painting was as powerful as that of the mural they had previously seen. The art depicted talked about external and internal struggles, personal and collective overcoming and healing. It was beautiful. Suddenly, a couple followed by a trio of friends emerged from the painting that turned out to be another hidden passage as Lisa led Hikari out of the elevator. Lisa laughed when she saw the surprise screaming again in the face of the young woman who had no idea there were three other passages hidden somewhere in the intriguing establishment. "They're coming from the reading session," Lisa whispered close to her friend's ear, her deep, velvety voice sounding witty. The painting gave access to a cozy place with bookshelves of different literary genres; sofas and small 'caves' with blankets and soft music (the walls were soundproofed, so there were different songs playing in different rooms) where people could enjoy their readings accompanied by their orders for the time they reserved. At the entrance to that session, an employee would be in charge of guiding customers to replace their shoes with comfortable slippers. "I would like to leave for you the choice of where to sit. After all, the invitation came from me." Lisa watches with Hikari's thoughtful countenance and when she reveals her choice, Lisa presents her with a smile. The two women then walk towards the choice made. "By the way, I appreciate the fact that you approached me there and also accepted my invitation. I confess to being curious to know what made you want to know me." When they got there, Lisa found the tablet and started checking in with Hikari. Upon completion, their "new" identities appeared on the screen. Lisa was featured as Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter) and Hikari as Princess Ekaterina 'Kitty' Shcherbatskaya (Anna Karenina). Lisa cannot help but laugh at the combination generated by the algorithm. When placing the orders, Lisa turns her attention to her friend. "Well, I have a proposal to make if you are feeling adventurous today, Her Royal Highness. I would like you to make my order on my behalf. If you want I can make the same for you as well. But only if your heart desires it. That is, if you feel comfortable with the idea. If you want me to place your order and my choice does not please you, we can exchange our orders between us. If that does not please both or one of us, I have a counterplan. In the latter case, we place new orders. Then, I will ask a employer to be kind enough to pack our previous orders to go." The tallest was prepared for the case. She would give the orders to some person in need. Lisa looks at Hikari persuasively with a charming smile. "What do you say, 'Kitty', do you accept the wise (until proven otherwise) and thrilling suggestion from Alvo?". Lisa made her eyebrows dance up and down in a mischievous way, breaking the "spell" cast by her hypnotic eyes.