THE MOMENT
Vegas started the morning feeling a little off. His shower was cold, and his coffee maker was still empty by the time he got to it. Along with another half dozen minor mishaps, it was enough to get him out of the house in search of breakfast. He generally preferred to stay home, but the tone for the day was already set and he didn't want to spend the day alone. Not with his luck.
It never occurred to him that he might be the luckiest man in the world. But, he knew he had access to extraordinary luck on occasion. His good fortune had a tendency to reward him when he least expected it, and he tried to make it so that he was home whenever his “luck was leaking”, as he conceptualized it.
He'd received plenty of accidental deliveries, food, and other items. After so many years, he didn't try as hard to return them. Whenever he did, he was only rewarded for his honesty and given the original items and more on top. After the unusual way, for him, that the day started he wanted to avoid deliveries altogether. He made his way downtown and picked a café to walk into.
It was always a toss-up whether or not he'd be the thousandth or millionth customer entitled to freebies. So, Vegas did not consider it unusual that he didn't set off prize alarms as soon as he walked in. He sat down on a stool at the counter and waited for the green-haired waitress to notice him.
“Cool hair!” a young voice spoke up and he turned to see a brown-haired girl with golden bangs and green eyes taking the stool next to him. He knew she meant him even before he turned around, he was the only one with a blue mohawk in the place.
“Thanks,” he nodded at her with a smile. “Yours is neat too. I dig the gold in front.”
“Thank you,” she said. The waitress had appeared before them during the exchange and ready to take orders.
“Just black coffee,” Vegas said.
“Sorry Hon,” she shook her head. “Product got delayed, we're out of coffee till tomorrow, and kind of low on everything else.”
“Strong tea?” he asked. She shook her head again with a slight smirk.
“Must not be your lucky day,” she said.
“Soda?” he asked. Finally, she nodded.
“On the house for the trouble,” she said. Then she turned.
“Jubilee? You officially tried everything last visit. So, what're you trying again today?” Something clicked in Vegas when he heard the name, and he felt kind of dim for not noticing sooner.
“It was all delicious, so surprise me,” Jubilee giggled. “You're low on stuff anyway, so whatever you have plenty of.”
“You got it,” the waitress winked and whirled around to go in the kitchen.
“You're Sunstream Jubilee?” Vegas asked as soon as she left.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “You are…?”
“Vegas,” he said. “My wife's a big fan! Sorry, I didn't recognize you right away,” he shrugged. “I haven't watched any of your streams.”
“That's fine,” she nodded.
“I guess my whole day is going to be like this,” he sighed, but there was amusement in his voice.
“Like what? Bad?” Jubilee asked. The only thing she knew so far was say he hadn't gotten any coffee.
“Well, it's only 9-ish, and it's been the worst day ever so far. I broke two coffee mugs before I realized there was no coffee made. Stepped barefoot on some of the glass, but I was lucky enough that it wasn't serious. And, I couldn't even find my car keys, I had to walk here. No coffee either,” he chuckled. “And, I met you without my wife. She would have loved to have been here.”
“I come here a lot,” Jubilee nodded. “Bring her by next time.”
“Yeah, I just might do that, thanks!” He said.
“Excuse me sir,” someone else tapped Vegas’ shoulder from the other side. It was a gentleman with spectacles and a suit.
“Yeah?” he turned to see what the new stranger wanted.
“I apologize for intruding, but you fit the description I was given. Are you Sammy Vegas Jr.?”
“That's me,” Vegas nodded. Despite how bad his morning had been, he was used to this sort of thing.
“I was just at your home looking for you,” the man said as he reached into his blazer and pulled out an envelope.
“Sharp Development sent me to formerly deliver this settlement sum. The Corporation apologizes for any perceived or direct offense you may have felt from us.”
“Thanks,” Vegas nodded and accepted the envelope. “I appreciate the effort.” The man nodded and turned to leave while Vegas tore the envelope open.
“What was that?” Jubilee asked while giggling. Vegas shrugged.
“Not sure. It happens from time to time,” he answered. ”Never heard of Sharp Development though.” he chuckled at the contents once he had the envelope open.
“A year worth of free coffee at any Sharp Cup location… “ he held up a golden gambling chip with the number 25 on one side and an open pair of red scissors on the other.
“You want it?” Vegas asked and offered her his token.
“I don't drink coffee..,” Jubilee shook her head.
“I've lived here all my life and never heard of the place, I don't think I'll get any use from it. You're young and likely to travel,” he offered it to her again.
“Okay!” Jubilee said. She didn't want the token as much as she had an idea. “But, I'll only accept it if I can meet your wife,” she said.
“Deal, but you'll have to wait a couple of weeks, she's out of town.” Vegas grinned, as the waitress set a glass of water in front of him.
“I'm really sorry. Something went wrong with the soda fountain..,” Vegas nodded at her and his grin did not diminish.
“That's alright. I knew it was going to be one of my worst days ever as soon as I woke up. After 20 years of waking up next to the same person, waking up without her just kind of ruins my day, you know?”