"Whatever's filling enough," Ash answered, "and a glass of drinking water please, miss."
"Alright, I hope you don't have any specific allergies." The woman noted in the small book in her apron pocket.
"Hey gorgeous, I think I need milk for my coffee. Is that available?" said a man at the table to Ash's left. His eyes were fixed on the woman's breast which was indeed quite attention-drawing.
The woman turned toward him with an expression that didn't change at all. "Sorry, that's out of stock," she said in a flat tone, then turned back toward the bar.
From the end of the bar, an older man with a thicker apron and more stains called out to her. "Hey Suzy, call them again, when is my order arriving."
"Relax boss, it'll be delivered before noon today," she answered without breaking stride.
Ash followed her movement briefly, then his eyes moved to the men around him.
"I'd bet she could take both of us at once and last more than 2 hours," said a large man in farmer's clothing.
"Look at that ass, I always imagine what's underneath when I'm masturbate" chimed in the man beside him.
Suzy didn't respond to what didn't need responding to and answered what did need answering, all in a tone that never changed. All of it was just an ordinary day for that woman.
Outside the window, through the gap between stacked wooden crates, a pair of eyes behind a mask stared inward. Her eyes moved toward Ash's table, then to the bag on the floor.
"What is he going to pay with? Does he even know his wallet is already gone?" Her hand pressed against their own face. "What an idiot that man is."
The food arrived, a plate of rice with cuts of meat still releasing steam and a bowl of broth beside it.
"Enjoy your meal." Suzy set it down without spilling a drop even though her hands were also carrying two other plates for the next table.
Ash began eating his food. No commentary, no exaggerated expression, but the plate was empty in less time than it would normally take most people to finish a portion that size. He drank half a glass of water, set the glass down, and sat for a moment with his back resting against the wall.
"Ah, this is very good. They know how to cook." Ash exhaled, the aroma of the meat still filling his nose.
Then his hand went into the bag on the floor, feeling around inside, his expression still flat. Sensing he couldn't find what he was looking for, Ash pulled out several of his belongings to get a clearer look.
His expression remained flat, but this time sweat began appearing on his forehead. "Where's my wallet?" he muttered.
Outside the window, the figure briefly covered her eyes with her palm. "See." Her voice came out quiet, somewhere between relieved and exasperated with herselves. "Ah, what am I even worrying about."
From inside the eatery, several tables from where Ash was sitting, a large-built man looked toward the window, then his eyes went wide. The man recognized the figure in the grey hoodie.
"You ... this time you won't get away." The man's hand quickly reached for the phone in his pocket.
Ash stood in front of the bar counter with his small axe on the wooden surface.
The eatery owner stared at the axe, then stared at Ash, his brow furrowing. "What are you doing, kid?"
"I'm sorry, sir." Ash didn't look away. "I had enough money earlier, but I just checked and my wallet is gone. Looks like someone stole it on the road."
"Hmm." The old man let out a quiet snort.
"I'll leave this axe as a guarantee." Ash pushed it slightly forward. "I'll come back for it after I get money. Soon."
The eatery owner exhaled, long and heavy, like someone who had heard those words too many times before. His hand picked up the axe from the counter, turned it once, examined it briefly, then his eyes settled on Ash.
"Just give me one of your hands and I'll call it even, kid." His hand raised the axe into a ready swing position. "You think this is the first time someone like you has walked into my place?"
Ash was silent for two seconds. Then he slid his left hand onto the counter, palm facing down, fingers flat on the wooden surface. "Fine, if that's what you want."
The eatery owner didn't change his expression, nor did he lower the axe.
He stared at Ash's left hand, then exhaled a second time. "Okay, one hand might be too much." The position of the axe in his hand shifted, adjusting the angle. "One finger ought to be enough for a plate of food, I reckon."
"Boss, hey."
Suzy appeared from the side, her hand gripping her boss's arm. "Calm down first."
The eatery owner turned toward her with a raised eyebrow.
"Thefts have been on the rise in this city lately." Suzy released her grip but didn't step back. "He might genuinely be a victim."
The old man exhaled. "Suzy, you're too naive, girl." His eyes shifted to Ash, his tone dropping. "That's why men just come to sleep with you and leave."
Ash's jaw tightened. "Hey, there's no need to insult her, old man." His voice came out flat but with a different pressure than before. "Just take what you want."
"Alright, alright." Suzy raised her hand toward Ash. "I'll pay for his food, boss." She reached into her apron, pulled out several notes and placed them on the bar counter. Then her eyes settled on Ash, her tone brief. "Leave now."
Ash remained still looking at her, then at the eatery owner in front of him.
Before he had the chance to speak, a man from the left table stood up, stepped two paces forward, and wrapped his arm around Suzy's shoulder from behind. The man had a larger build than most people in the eatery, the smell of alcohol already detectable from that distance.
***