~Sophie's Canaria Cafe~

[Malaclypse 666]

Sophie floated away from the Landing area at a sedate 10 k/h, taking in all the bustle around the nearby trading ships. Business was still good on Canaria, and "her" end of Waverly LLC was doing good as well.

The enterprising Fnordette had been forced to lease a larger warehouse near the Spaceport. She was now wholesaler for the Shaking Mountain Coffee from the Uli Rouge Plantation, and Reggie's drying sheds were no longer able to keep up with the bumper crop of Kallisti Gold, spurred in growth and potency by the recent series of Ion storms.

Laughing Goddess Bakeries was still turning out pastries in the old warehouse, several blocks off the town square; and business was booming there as well. It seems that word of "her" recipes, and careful quality control had spread across Sirius like wildfire. Sophie was receiving orders not just from Freeports, but from House space and "other" customers as well.

As Sophie reached the square, she was pleased to see several of the sidewalk tables outside her Cafe filled with animated tourists, enjoying sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Her decision to remove liquour from the menu had been a good one. A drunken primate could spit from here and hit six bars anyway; but you could count the decent eateries in Port Canaria on the fingers of one hand.. if you had hands.

Sophie floated into the Cafe proper, and was mildly shocked to see Norman with a tie, perfectly clean apron, and menus at the ready. He had just handed a party of four off to a another hostess. Sophie was somewhat amused to also hear a bit of a faux Gallic accent coming from her "Maitre D's" lips.

As she "looked" around the dining area, she was again surprised to see over half the tables filled. She floated back toward Norman.

*Well, Norm, do ya miss pouring shots for the 3 regular drunks we used to shelter now?*

Norman straightened, flicked an imaginary speck of dust off a menu, and said, "Mais non, Madame Sophie!"

*Oh, Norm, save it for the rubes, eh?* She then floated towards the kitchen bobbing in greeting to guests as she went to chat with the Head Chef. It was a good day.

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