Attention, Please!

Karen was ready for him.

She’d watched the Starbox barista interact with the three people who were ahead of her. He hadn’t done what he was supposed to do with them, and he wouldn’t do it with her either. She was sure of it.

“How can I help you?” The young barista looked tired even though it was barely eight a.m.

“Is English your first language?” Karen held her chin high as she awaited his answer.

“Yes. How can I help you?” He appeared unruffled by her question.

“How may I help you.”

His face scrunched then relaxed. “How may I help you?”

“A venti pumpkin spice latte with eight shots of espresso, seven pumps of pumpkin sauce, and one pump of maple pecan sauce.”

He entered in the order. “And your name?”

“Karen. K-A-R-E-N. And I’m paying with cash.”

He didn’t look up. “Eleven eighty-five.”

“Ridiculous.” She handed him a ten and two singles, and he returned her change. But she didn’t move.

“Something else, ma’am?”

She leaned back and crossed her arms defiantly.

“Something else?”

She didn’t change her pose. “I’m waiting.”

“We’ll call you when your order is ready.” He pointed to the Pickup area. “You can wait over there.”

But she wasn’t about to move. Groans sounded behind her, but that wasn’t her fault. It was this stupid barista’s fault.

“Ma’am, over there.” He pointed again to the Pickup area.

“I know where the Pickup area is, but we’re not done here.”

Now, he looked concerned. “I don’t know what you want, ma’am.”

She sucked her teeth. “And that’s supposed to be my fault?”

He turned to another barista, an older woman, and spoke softly. Meanwhile, someone behind Karen said, “The rest of us would like to order, too.”

But Karen didn’t move.

The older barista approached her. “Is there something else we can help you with, ma’am?”

“He didn’t do what he was supposed to do, and I’m not moving until he does.”

The woman paused momentarily. “Ma’am, we’re going to have to ask you to leave the premises.”

How dare she? “No. I paid for my drink, and I want it.”

“Well, if you wait over there—”

“No!” Karen added a stomp to her refusal. “He’s supposed to do something, and I’m not leaving until he does!”

The man behind her said, “Enough of this,” and pushed her aside as he made his way to the counter.

How dare he? How dare anyone treat her like that for standing her ground? “Arrgh!” Her shriek was loud and long, and all she could do next was shove him back. “You assaulted me! You assaulted me!”

The older barista told the younger one, “Phone the police.”

Karen wouldn’t let these bullies win. She threw herself on the floor and continued her screaming and kicking. Customers were recording her on their phones. Fine. She was the victim here.

The man who’d pushed her aside slapped his sides in resignation. “This is insane.” And he left the shop with others following.

“You’re leaving the scene of a crime!” Karen waved her arms as she shouted after him.

The two remaining customers in line appeared more interested in recording Karen than giving their orders. Fine. They could show the police just what happened.

The police arrived, spoke with the older barista, and then approached Karen. The chubby cop said, “Ma’am, please get up.”

“I was assaulted, and these people have the criminal on their phones.” She crossed her arms again.

The customer with the nose ring told the cop, “He just wanted to get to the counter to order, but she wouldn’t move. He didn’t do anything.”

“He assaulted me! Arrgh!” Once Karen resumed her screaming, the two cops lifted her by the arms.

“Put your hands behind your back, ma’am,” the chubby cop said.

“No! No!” She struggled from their grasp without success. “Wait! Let me explain.”

“You can explain down at the station, ma’am.”

“Wait! No!” She let them handcuff her before lowering her voice. “Him.” She nodded to the young barista. “He was supposed to ask if I wanted a breakfast sandwich. They’re advertised half-off today. But he never did, so I was waiting for him to say it.” She threw her head back indignantly.

The young barista sighed. “That special was yesterday.”

Karen was appalled at his mendacity. “Lie! That’s a lie! Fake, fake, fake!” She turned to the slimmer cop. “Don’t believe him.”

But the cop tugged her and led her out of the shop, while the remaining customers applauded.

***

By the end of the next day, Karen was pleased. The videos customers had recorded and posted to social media had her outburst at the top of the viral list.

Kendall wouldn’t be able to miss it. He’d see what he’d done to her, how he hurt her, how he humiliated her. He had no right to break up with her like he had. “You’re too difficult.” What kind of ridiculous reason was that? Calculus was difficult. She was a thinking, feeling person and deserved his respect and patience.

Yes, she’d show him. The world would learn what a monster Kendall was once she let a big news operation like Newsmucks interview her about the incident and tell her side of the story. They’d all learn what heartbreak drove her to.

The world was so unfair.

Word Count: 1043
Hours Spent: 5
Software Used: Poser 12