The Barista- A Cute Mini Story
Mike visits his favourite coffee shop after three years, only to find a world he had seen before, but never understood.
Story: S A Spencer
Picture by Jakub
Kapusnak
“How are you, mate?”
Each of the words smelled to Mike of freshly brewed coffee.
“I’m good.” Mike replied. He had never asked his name before. This was his the most favourite place he frequented for over ten years before 2020. “And you?”
“A medium cappuccino and no sugar?” he asked with his trademark soft smile.
“You still remember how I like my coffee? And even after a long three-year gap?”
He flashed a smile and went on making the coffee. Mike stood there pondering about the sweet past days. This was the place he was visiting at least twice a day. The coffee made by this soft-spoken and ever smiling barista energised him for the challenges his stressful job threw at him, most of the time without notice.
Mike glanced around. No long queue he had seen until the beginning of 2020. So many changes he has witnessed since then. Full time working from home when Covid spread its tentacles. After joining a new company last year, he had successfully negotiated never to work in the office again.
The barista filled the porta filter with ground coffee and levelled with a tamper.
Mike was missing this coffee making scene.
But the desire to go out of home and spend time outside bubbled inside Mike for the past several months. It’s not that he never went out. Covid was no more a fearsome disease. But it made some very positive change, especially for people like Mike. Those who could work remotely anywhere and no need to bother for travelling mornings and evenings.
The barista brewed the expresso into a paper mug and began frothing the milk.
Aroma of the coffee tingled his nose. This might be the reason, this morning a sudden urge hit him to find out how an office travel would be like. Mike texted his boss for an urgent personal leave and took the local train to North Sydney, which he had called his workplace for over ten years of his life.
“Here is your coffee. Enjoy the day.”
This was a Monday morning, around eleven. Mike had no office to rush into. He took a sip and said, “Nice. I like the way you make coffee.”
The same trademark smile. “Your office is still here, in North Sydney?”
A chuckle bubbled in Mike’s heart. “No, my current job has an office in Melbourne. But I work from home all the time.”
“Congratulations! You are so lucky.” He chuckled.
Mike felt guilty when he spoke to people who must leave home for the work. The pandemic created a new class divide which was not that distinct before. The privileged who could work from anywhere, either full-time or a good part of the week. And all others.
He glanced around. “No morning rush now?”
The man shrugged. “Mondays and Fridays are always quiet. New trend post Covid.”
Mike was not coming in way for his business, and he could spend some time chatting with this man.
He took another sip from the mug. “This working from home has its own advantages. People like us are really helping the economy.”
“Sounds great.” The barista didn’t ask how.
“Your coffee is great. I was missing this for the past many years.”
“Thanks for the kind words.” He continued to wipe the bench top with a cloth. “Do you have a shop nearby or do you make cappuccino at home?”
“The nearest one from my home is two kilometres away. I had to buy a costly automatic machine. But that’s no comparison to barista made one… especially the one you make.” His appreciation was genuine, and the man responded with an approving smile.
“How is your family? Everything well?” the barista had never asked Mike’s wellbeing before the pandemic. Mike understood. He was always coming to buy his drink at a busy time. Just remembering what he wanted was more than enough. He felt special among his thousands of customers.
“But you know how this working from home actually helping the economy? And helping create millions of more jobs?”
The man leaned to the bench top on his elbow, the wiping cloth still in his hand. “How?”
“I understand not everyone is lucky to work without coming to the workplace,” Mike was mindful of whom he was chatting. “But see, we save so much in transport, toll fees and eating outside. If you combine all the savings of people like me, that is a lot. Billions of dollars savings worldwide. Most of those savings are going to buy gazettes: latest smartphones, new luxury cars and other luxury goods. A lot goes to international and domestic travels too. Imagine how many people are getting employment in all those sectors? More factories worldwide, more hotels to accommodate so many travellers.” Mike set up his mug on the bench-top and stood tall. He was not an economist, but read blogs related to the economy all the time.
The man stroked his imaginary beard for a while. “You are right, mate. I wonder how much you know about the world and how it runs.”
Mike giggled silently. “I came at a lean time and for the first time after I met you almost thirteen years ago, I am talking to you for so long. By the way, where is the other woman? Your assistant?”
The barista’s shoulders slumped. “I tried to support her after the pandemic broke. But then I had to let her go, as I had no income at all. This is a small business. I had bought this place twenty years ago and already paid off the mortgage. So I survived. Mine is practically a three-day week. Most people come to the office on Tuesdays to Thursdays. Monday and Friday I have practically very few customers. But I have nothing to do at home, so…”
A silence descended between the two. Mike could read what the barista wanted to say.
This working from home has killed so many businesses. Economy helps some sectors at a deadly cost to others.
Mike inhaled a breath. People like him who can afford to stay away from the physical offices have killed millions of small businesses. Some are still alive but dying slowly. The coffee was already cold.
“I need to go. But mate, it was a pleasant discussion today. But I’ve never asked your name before. I am Mike. And you?” he extended his hand.
The barista shook his hand. “My name is Mike too. We are name brothers.” He chuckled.
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