A new coffee shop opened up last year under the name "Cassanoire" operating daily from 6 pm to 3 am. It is entirely family-run by a guy with long hair and a sly grin named Erych, his partner Mama Cass who works in the kitchen, and their daughter Lisa, who does various chores . This shop is located at the end of a small strip-mall along side of a large, isolated parking lot. Cassanoire offers $3 drip coffee with free refills along with a menu of a few stale pastry items. In the beginning, Erych hires Jose to present the menu and handle orders at the table. The cafe is usually calm and quiet with plenty of empty seating. But after the first few months the format changes, and Erych lets Jose go. Orders are then taken by Erych who lords over the counter waiting for customers to approach. Customers could then choose a mug and get their own coffee refills to carry to a table.
Soon a group of unorganized Regulars forms that includes Debbie, Prissy, Joan, Pugsley, Timmy, Kernell, Thom, David, Tony. Less frequent regulars like Darkseed, Babydoll and Candy only come on the weekends. The shop is a gem to alternative younger crowds who have limited options for places to go later at night. The dim and smokey atmosphere draws out new customers who are unemployed or want to be part of an eclectic culture. But a growing segment do not buy the coffee and just come to sit and socialize. Debbie gets rides from her mom and starts meeting her friend Prissy every night. Timmy wants to come every night too, but he runs out of cash and just sits without buying anything. A guy named John begins coming frequently and let's Erych know that he wants to bring some friends to the cafe too. Another regular named Tony says that Erych has started kicking out people who do not purchase a drink because the shop is becoming busier. "I don't see how they keep the lights on in this place," David wonders. A glimpse into the back part of the building reveals a mattress, spent cigarettes and excessive trash strewn across the floor. Mama Cass is working around the mess, but Tony thinks that Erych's family has started living in the back of the coffee shop. Pugsley confirmed this and suggested that they can't afford to pay rent anywhere else. Darkseed says that he has seen Erych throwing trash out the back of the building before. And Lisa has begun flirting with some of John's friends. They say among themselves, "We should be getting some of THAT sweet tail!"
The Regulars are apathetic about what goes on in the back and mostly what gets said in the front. As long as they can get cheap coffee and sit in the shop for many hours, the state of the management is not much concern. Curiously, some people notice that Erych begins handling personal items which he keeps under the counter. "Check this baby out!" as he pulls out a sword holding it horizontally with both hands. John gleams, "That's a slick blade you got there, bro." Erych then brags that he has other items including a slingshot, a hunting knife, and a valuable book which he also removes from under the counter to show-off. Pugsley recognizes these items as belonging to Candy, Thom, and Timmy, respectively. Most of the others do not pay much attention though. And apparently, Erych has been offering "deals" to customers who spend a lot of time in the shop without making a purchase. These new deals involve Erych holding some item of value as payment for menu items until the owners pay him back. Or he just keeps the items to add to his little collection. Erych begins to promote these sort of arrangements as him providing a service to the coffee shop community because it allows for Regulars, like Timmy, to continue to stay in the cafe for hours every night. For example, a girl named Pamela ran out of money but continues to sit in the cafe without a mug. Erych sees her opal necklace and says, "We can make a deal for that beautiful necklace you got there, honey. And you can stay as long as you like." Pamela replies with a look of horror, "But my grand mother gave me this the last time I saw her," as she looks down. "Don't worry Pam, I got your drink tonight," says her friend Valeria, as she slaps three bills onto the table. Erych retrieves the money with an almost-amazing smooth swipe of gliding perfection across the table, disappearing the bills under his hand. He then glances away toward a large empty glass jar and remarks softly, "Looks like the tip jar is getting cut tonight." Pam and Val walk out never to return again.
As word of mouth spreads to other nearby cities, business starts to really pick up later in the evening. Erych has made a new policy and points to a sign on the wall that reads "Buy or Good Bye". He remarks to the crowd, "It's time to get out those wallets folks." Erych has also points to the giant glass jar on the counter with money at the bottom with a card that reads, "Tips for Erych". Timmy quickly informs everyone, "Oh shit, I don't have any money until next week, and Erych already has all my stuff." Before anyone could intervene, Erych presents a solution saying, "I got you covered. I will give you a $50 credit to use in the store, but you have to spend it all tonight". With a wide devilish grin, lips pressed together tightly and rubbing his hands, Erych firmly adds that Timmy would have to pay him $75 next week. Debbie supports the demand by saying, "Come on Timmy, we want you to stay here!" Darkseed remarks, "wow, that's steep". David observes, "That sounds like a trap," quietly commenting to Tony. Timmy hesitates nervously while John says, "Don't worry about it Timmy, you'll get paid by then and you can settle it up, bro". Erych then steps it up and adds, "...or you can leave", again pointing to the new sign on the wall. Feeling heavily pressured, Timmy agrees to the deal and ordered as many snacks and drinks as he could consume, giving some to the Regulars to use up the credit. Debbie, Prissy, Thom and Kernell are very happy to get the free drinks through Timmy's deal. Darkseed, Babydoll and John have no comment but they accept the drink. Candy chimes in, "Make mine a large!". Pugsley says, "No thanks, I'll pass". As Timmy leaves to go into the restroom, Tony remarked that he would have paid for Timmy's drink. Pugsley, Darkseed, and Babydoll admit that Erych was not being fair. But then Prissy stands up to say, "Timmy should pay for own drink like the rest of us, or else he should have to take the deal that Erych offered!" Joan agrees saying "We all got to pay for what we want one way or another, he just has to go with the flow." Thom adds, "I just mind my own business in here." David chimes in, "He spends all his money on junk food, loses his personal possessions to Erych, and now he owes more money just to sit in a chair - It's obscene and ridiculous." Debbie reasons, "You can't come in here and not buy anything". But then Babydoll argues that "he was not taking anything from the shop by sitting in an otherwise empty chair". Pugsley tells Tony privately that Erych and Mama Cass are getting more desperate to pay the lease as trash builds up in the back and behind the building into the parking lot.
Factions are forming in the coffee shop as Erych begins hosting weekly private meetings outside of business hours exclusively for certain customers who identify as "Juggalos" - attendance by invitation only. When Debbie asks Erych about secret meetings, John cuts in sharply that the private meetings are "Cause we're family, bitch!". Then there is a loud and disruptive "whoop whoop" coming from one of the tables. John laughs, pointing toward the table, "Hell Yeah." Babydoll asks Darkseed if they can leave early as Erych ignores the clamor and continues work at the counter. A new guy named Jeremy meets a couple new friends at his table and declares, "Listen up you all, We're the Devilplayers. And we're doing our own thing here." Another new customer named Rusty comes in and goes around greeting everyone. He tells Erych that he wants to bring his crew in there too because he loves the atmosphere. Upon hearing this, Mama Cass walks around a corner and goes out sight. Kernell asks Pugsley if Rusty is a new Juggalo, and Pugsley says that he is nothing like the Juggalos. Pugsley quietly adds, "Everyone knows, don't mess with Rusty. He is trouble". The commotion appears to please Erych immensely as he prepares several drinks. Erych's delight then soars to new heights, "What will it be, rocket man?" as he starts talking about possible drink concoctions that nobody ever heard of. He smiles at Lisa,"We got some good ideas in my head tonight folks," as the last late night hour drags on.
Rusty and his rapidly growing little group become known as the Rumulons, named after his last name. A few of less-vocal regulars quit coming to the cafe but are replaced by more new customers. The Juggalos have a firm presence on a side of the cafe. And graffiti that reads "ICP" next to a clown face appears on the side of the building. The so-called Devilplayers emerge as a frequent group who mostly like to read and play cards in the corner. Jeremy and his three friends tend to spend a fair amount buying more than just a refill coffee. So Erych has made a new drink menu: "Desperate Joe" for $4, "The Rebel Yell" for $5, "The Razor's Edge" for $7, "Hell's Fury" for $9, and "Reaper's Revenge" for $15. He claims that this last drink is an exclusive concoction for loyal customers want to support the coffee shop and stay up all night. Ingredients are a mystery, but it has a much higher dose of caffeine and sugar than any other drink. Prissy laughing says, "No one is going to buy those overpriced drinks". Joan implies she would do sexual acts to get the drinks if necessary. She exclaims, "I can't afford this new high power drink, but damn I want it real bad! I'll do anything, I mean ANYTHING, if one of you high rolling guys would buy it for me". Darkseed says, "It's motel time y'all!" Joan look out and forms her lips into a circle with her tongue sticking out in a nasty grin. This draws Erych's attention and his face lights up. Lisa hollers out, "You go girl". Raven shouts drunkenly, "That's what I'm talking about! Some low-down hot pleasing action". David brags that he will order the most expensive drink, repeatedly asking what that is. But Tony accurately predicts that it will be a one-time purchase. Pugsley quietly tells, "most of us can't afford to pay those prices anyway". John who is becoming a prominent juggalo yells out, "Hell yeah, about time he put some teeth into this place!". Another Juggalo, John's new sidekick Raven adds with a glare, "All you poor fuckers better be chugging them down tonight - we need this place." John reinforces the remark with "What the man said guys, wake the fuck up already." Darkseed quietly comments, "Roll them bills out", and laughs. Debbie moans, "This place is getting too goddamned expensive". John proudly orders, "A round of Hell's Fury for all my boys". Rusty announces, "A round of Reapers Revenge for my crew!" Erych glows as he calmly states, "I can feel the love tonight!". Babydoll tells Candy, "Holy shit, look at that. The tip jar is starting to fill up, and it's not just the money that Erych put in this time." Mama Cass gives advice to Joan about her vulgar attitude, and then returns to the kitchen again.
As the show-boating wears off, everyone returns to ordering less expensive drinks. Timmy coins the phrase "one-cup minimum" to refer to the cheap refill coffee that the Regulars continue to purchase. A few of the long-time customers have stopped coming, and others leave early. A growing group begins to congregate around Rusty on the other side. Jeremy's group remains at the same table in the back every night, and they do not bother anyone. Suddenly, Debbie complains toward Erych that "it's too crowded in here". Pugsley notes that Erych is talking about expanding the coffee shop as the unit next door is vacant and available. Tony wonders if Erych and Mama Cass can get the funds together to rent another unit. When asked if the increasing business is a success, Mama Cass was heard remarking, "It's a real struggle, but we're believers". Tony hearing this also, orders a Razor's Edge for each of several regulars at a cost of over $200. Prissy smiles and says, "Oh my god, you're an angel." Erych had the biggest grin on his face even while new graffiti appears outside on that wall reading, "Rumulons Rule" crossing out "ICP" with "FU juggalos", and "sleeezy shite". Joan struts past John who is wearing tight vinyl pants, and taunts, "I just want get into those pants". John appearing unimpressed replies, "I'll let you know if I want to get rid of them." The whole place is becoming a stuffy mess where nothing really goes on but everyone wonders what will happen next. It seems like a recipe for disaster is right around the corner.
Erych starts an Open Mic Night and also a poetry reading every week, as the increase in customers appears to be leveling off. There is a rumor that he is considering charging a $10 cover to enter after midnight but include a basic cup of coffee. Debbie and Prissy are saying negative things about him behind his back, simply referring to him as that "greedy asshole", for example. Kernell calls this a "forced coffee purchase just to enter a door". Candy asks, "How do those guys afford their rock and roll lifestyle?". Timmy calls the drinks that Jeremy, Rusty, and John buy as over-priced, glorified coffee drinks. The Juggalos and Rusty's crowd now make up more than half of the customers sitting in the shop on an average night. Although business is up, a few customers express concern because of new graffiti that reads "snitches get stitches", and art showing an a grenade, a broken bottle, and a pumping fist. Pugsley says that David is talking to regulars like Darkseed about protesting the shop. David tends to act as an agitator when conflict erupts, and it looks like they are making some sort of plans. Lisa has been seen leaving with certain customers in Rusty's group at the end of the night. Poetry readings mostly make no sense, but occasionally include jabs at some of the other factions. Jeremy's group is most interested in the new features and reads poems about dark, unsettling topics, while Debbie tells Raven to sit down. Raven snaps back with "You can suck my dick you fat ass cunt". Prissy gasps as Joan adds "You're better at that action than she is." Candy laughs, but John being triggered throws in, "We'll see how wise you people are outside". Pugsley moves to the back of the cafe as Debbie screams, "Blow it out your ass, shithead!" Erych has a moment of concern on his face, but then overrides the tension with a few funny remarks such as, "If this keeps up, we'll need to build a stage!"
Cassanoire and is now filled to capacity during the Open Mic Nights. Erych decides not to charge a cover on weekends after all. Instead he hires a new employee named Ray - a tall, dark individual who never smiles and does not seem interested in conversation. Ray has a routine of going around as an enforcer to find anyone who has not made a purchase, firmly asking, "Would you like to place an order?" while staring intently. The Regulars order their one-drink minimum , but some continue to sit and not order. Many try to avoid and ignore Ray. He was heard dealing with a regular known as Kernell, someone who runs out of money before his next paychecks but still comes to the shop. Ray began explaining to Kernell, "You have two choices - you can either purchase a drink or leave the establishment." Kernell then got up and slung the heavy glass door open to go outside and stand next to the entrance as if waiting for someone. Ray aggressively marches behind him while threatening to call police. "If you want to stand outside the door, you still have to make a purchase," Ray growled. Tony calls this "gestapo tactics". Prissy told Ray that he "can go to hell". And Mama Cass heard this and whispered something to Erych. Joan intentionally did not order, hoping to get attention, but Ray skipped over her. Joan then yelled, "Why don't you come at me, motherfucker?". Timmy was heard making insulting remarks behind Ray's back. David nodded and muttered, "Preach it brother Tim". Ray seems unphased by anything said to him or about him. And Ray seems to know not to bother the Juggalo's, the Rumulons or the Devilplayers, if they don't order immediately when they arrive.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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