Time for a fieldtest

Chapter 7

"Hey. Welcome to Simon and Sons. I'm Jessica and I'll be your waitress today. A seat for one?"

The girl who greets you simply takes your breath away and you already fear that the permanent shocks along with your short-lived demise might cause permanent damage on your body. But maybe it's just you noticing all the beauty in the world only now that you can deal with it in a right way.

"Hey, Jessica," you laugh a little too quickly. "You know me." Shit that was too much. But Jessica is just as professional as she looks stunning in her blue and white uniform. Simon and Sons is apparently trying to attract clientele by acting like a restaurant from a bygone, more moderate era. But as long as the burgers are good, you don't care about the ambiance, especially since Jessica's physique alone would make you follow her anywhere. Finally, however, it does not come so badly and she leads you fast step to a table with two benches. You sink into the seat cushions and bump your knee on the edge of the table, having your eyes on Jessica's neck and shoulders. You're sure it's the girl's uniform or her adorable smile but you feel like a fucking predator. "What can I get you to drink?" she asks, pulling out her notebook and clicking her pen.

"Uh... what can you recommend?" Actually, a water would be enough but that certainly wouldn't get Jessica any sales.

"You look like a milkshake slurper" she grins and winks at you. "Chocolate or vanilla?"

"Chocolate," you say, and Jessica looks like you bought her a car.

"Great! I'll bring it to you right away." She turns on her heel and hurries to the next table. Simon and Sons is busy today, having only been open for a few days, so almost every seat is taken. You frown as you check off the first point of your plan. Actually you wanted to secure a place with your forces to see how far they reach. So far you haven't achieved much, but the day has only just begun. While waiting for your chocolate milkshake, you look around the restaurant. You were lucky, Jessica seems to be the youngest waitress today, with maybe a few years difference to the others. But as far as beauty goes, she's definitely the poster child for the establishment, which doesn't make your job any easier. But nothing would, you're fighting against yourself here. And your newfound and as yet unexplored powers don't help with that.

You are not here for the milkshakes but because you have lived your life according to a certain pattern. This pattern is not good, certainly not even healthy when you think of Cassie and your affection for her, but most importantly, it is already burned into your psyche to such an extent that a large part of your self-imposed training will be to change your behavior and not to learn your powers. Judging from your experiences with Cassie and Jackson, it doesn't take much, maybe just your presence. But maybe the tone of your voice or the way the person acts towards you also plays a role. Or maybe Cassie just likes you and peeps the part for you. You shake your head and pat your pocket. Jackson gave you all his cash, about three hundred dollars, which now fills your wallet. And he certainly doesn't have as intimate a relationship with you as Cassie does. No, you just know you can influence people. Now you just have to figure out how that happens and how to use it.

"And for what..." you muse quietly, looking out the window. "It's not like you have any experience with that sort of thing." You can't help but think of Caesar, Genghis Khan, and Gandhi again. No, you're not going to invade Gaul now, although you'd love to go to Paris someday... and propose to Cassie on top of the Eiffel Tower... You shake your head. One thing after another. And next thing you know, the world or whatever gave you your powers seems to have a big glass of chocolate milkshake on your schedule.

"Here I am again," Jessica laughs happily. Her hips sway slightly from side to side as she balances her black tray with just one hand. She lifts your glass with her other hand and places it on the table in front of you.

"Wow, that looks fantastic," you say appreciatively, biting your tongue. Too little. You need to be more daring.

"Thank you. Simon is very proud of the recipe. The secret is..." Jessica looks around conspiratorially. "Cocoa." She winks at you and your heart warms. Waitresses do that. It's not up to you. Going to a restaurant isn't just an exchange of money for food. Especially here at Simon and Sons, but also in any bar, waitresses play the game of seduction. And Jessica plays this game too, you know that. The way she walks, the way she wears her hair, the way she wiggles her hips as she walks, and her fancy cute shoes... Again you shake. You used to be able to think about the social rules while you were third-wheeling Cassie and Jackson to dinner. Now you're alone and have to take care of yourself. "Are you okay?" asks the sexy waitress. She asked you something personal! She's interested in you. No, she's just wondering why you're acting so weird. Do why you are here! Either it doesn't work and you can never come here again or it works... and... Jessica looks really cute.

"Yeah... Yeah sure," you clear your throat and rub the back of your head. You'd love to get up so you can talk to the girl at eye level. But she beats you to it and bends down a bit while handing you the card. Her bent back ensures that she doesn't have to extend her arm to present the menu to you.

"Do you want me to give you a recommendation again?" She seems genuinely nice. You nod and follow her finger with your eyes. It doesn't land on the most expensive burger which you give her credit for.

"I'll take that one," you mean." More! Say more!

"And what side dishes? You're going to have to help me out a little bit there." Jessica still seems nice but you can tell by her voice. She's been at your table too long, especially when the restaurant is so crowded.

"Fries... and..."

"And?" She already seems a little pressed for time. But it doesn't help. What's going to happen? Worst case scenario, you just can't come here anymore.

"And your... number?" No! No questions! But it's too late. You can see it on her face. With a girl like Jessica, you only get one chance and that just now was yours.

"You're funny" she smiles and rises. Then she leaves. You follow her with your eyes as she strolls across the room, good-humored and smiling. But when you've experienced rejection enough times, as you have, you know what to look for, and the clearest sign is the older waitress to whom Jessica leans and whispers something in her ear. The waitress looks at your table and nods. That's it then. Your first impulse is to get up and flee but you resist that with difficulty. Even though it wasn't the kind of transaction you were hoping for, your money for a great experience, you did exchange your money for food. After all, your milkshake is still in front of you.

With a sigh, you pull the large cup toward you. Okay, maybe you are here for the milkshakes after all. They're damn tasty. And at least you've learned something about your powers, namely that they don't work on other people. Or you did something wrong. But what? Curiosity is almost enough to negate the embarrassment of Jessica's snub, and the delicious milkshake does the rest. Soon after, an older lady comes to the table, dressed exactly like Jessica but a thousand times... ugly you wouldn't call her, you could, but that would be mean. The lady comes to the table with your burger, is friendly and accommodating, and doesn't say a word about why she switched areas with the girl. You exchange glances with her briefly. She knows. You know she knows. Another creep hitting on young waitresses. You shrug your shoulders apologetically and the older waitress just nods. It's certainly not the first time she's seen this. You look at the few notes you've already written down. Everyone here already thinks you're a bastard anyway.

"I don't have to pay for the food." You speak like Ben Kenobi, but forgo the hand signal. Maybe it's the tone of your voice that does it?

"You don't look that pretty little chap" the older lady grins and turns away from you without another word. Everything is getting worse and worse. Your flight of fancy evaporates and you fall further and further from the heights. Disgruntled, you continue to scribble in your book. Time? Proximity? Pitch? I have no idea. Fuck! Without looking, you take your burger.

"Shwuuut...." you growl with your mouth full. Why did you have to pull your game here of all places? It's a damn loss not to be able to come here anymore, the burger is so delicious. Your mood sinks the longer you eat. Again, you've lost everything, but this time Jackson isn't there to catch your rage. On the other side of the restaurant, you see Jessica serving the customers. She is behaving the same as with you, there is also a young man smiling at her. But unlike you, he knows how to behave and doesn't need superpowers to prove himself. You hang your head. As it looks at the moment, you don't have any powers either. Maybe it only works at home? At least you have enough money to pay for the food. You already hurry up and put a generous tip on the table, but still remain seated. The least you can do is apologize, should anyone else in the restaurant want to talk to you. You lean back with your arms crossed, already making plans for the next day, when you notice a movement out of the corner of your eye.