"Milkshake!" The two grabbed the milkshake after forcing the rest of the tacos down their throat and were immediately greeted by the calming coolness. The chocolate and vanilla save their precious burning lips.
They had drank down half their milkshakes in just a second which sent Asher rushing up to the counter for a second. 'This is the genius promotion. They give a super spicy taco then that makes people buy another milkshake.' Asher knew that this was the business model for the deal but he couldn't argue that it wasn't a good idea.
"Thank you for your purchase." The girl at the counter smiled. 'She knows that she hooked us good with their five alarm taco plan.' Asher felt taken advantage of but couldn't really argue it.
"Uggghh yesss." Jane snagged the milkshake from Asher and began to drink it as fast as possible. "Gahh noo brain freeze."
The sight of Jane holding her head made Asher laugh a little more than necessary. "You really aren't about the spicy life are you?" His joke would have been more impressive if he wasn't a red faced victim of the five alarm taco as well.
After her brain defrosted Jane gave Asher a kick under the table making him jump up and try to distance himself. His only success came in bouncing on his butt in the seat as he tried. This gave Jane her own laugh.
"Hey, you know who we should bring a taco to?" Asher's face showed a devious smile.
"I am thinking that Art will be missing lunch while he speaks with his mom…" Jane picked this up perfectly and even added a villainous tone to her voices.
The laughter as they threw out their trash was intense. While they ordered a to go meal their shoulders bumped and neither pulled away. Asher's face was red from the spice in the taco but if he had not eaten any it would still be equally red.
When the two had procured the kind hearted gesture of lunch for Art they decided to wander about while they waited for his message. 'I can carry your papers for you in my bag so they won't get all bent up in your pocket."
"Sure, It's fine though." Jane handed over the papers causing their hands to touch slightly. The both withdrew their hands, Jane still holding the papers.
Even though Jane had a mask covering her face she was still turning her head away out of habit trying to hide her embarrassment. "You two look like just the perfect couple for my new invention!" Their mood was interrupted by a man holding two about a frozen heart shaped lockets on his arms. "These are the latest ion couple technology. Have your lover's location at the push of a button. Feel the pulse of their heart. You can even use it to share how you are feeling at any moment!"
Asher and Jane tried to step away from the weird pitch but as they did the man followed. He had sniffed the scent of young love and refused to let it get away without ,making some money. "No, umm we aren't a couple. Just window shopping." Asher tried his best to get the man away.
"You and your lovely girlfriend would be the envy of the block with the matching set. Trust me when I say that you will deepen more than just your love!"
"He said no, now back off or I will make you." Jane didn't like this forceful approach but she had learned that sometimes it was the only way to get a problematic person away.
"Oh don't be too stressed now. This is a once in a lifetime offer for you and your boyfriend." The man was still not letting up, however the three had backed away towards a large fountain surrounded by small tables. Many onlookers were catching on to the small commotion.
"Fine, let's just get out of here Jane." Asher was sick of the salesman trying to make a quick buck and grabbed Jane's hand to escape.
The two weaved around the tables with the stubborn salesman on their tail. 'I know they will buy something if I give it my all. They are just playing hard to get!' The salesman was running after them without fail.
"This way!" Asher pulled Jane on to the edge of the fountain and ran on it trying to get away. "Jump!" Asher hopped over a puddle on the railing they had started to run on and then off and around more tables towards the elevator with the security guard.
The stubborn salesman continued after them but as he stepped in to the puddle he found his sense of gravity gone. He had started to slide, and not in the desired direction. He had no control over his speed and even as his butt flopped on to the railing he only gained momentum. When it looked like he would fall on to the floor he jerked his head back to balance. This was not the best move though.
When Jane and Asher turned around at the elevator they joined the security guard whose attention had also been grabbed in watching the scene unfold. They saw the stubborn salesman try to balance himself and instead backwards dive in to the fountain. The lockets flew in to the air making a rain of little splashes. The small scene had now become the center of attention and naturally many people were taking photos. Before the stubborn salesman had even left the fountain there were already photos online. "The washed up salesman" Was the leading title before it became an internet meme sensation.
"Some people just need to accept the word no and go on with their lives." Jane huffed as she looked at the stubborn salesman try to climb out of the fountain but slip backwards, this caused another chorus of laughter and many more photos were taken.
"Are you two alright? That man is always troubled, I swear." The security guard was very familiar with the "Inventor" Who would show up day after day with new attire and a new invention to try and sell to the masses as they went through the hero corp shops and departments. This was a burden that came with his job.
"Yes, we are just fine. We would have asked for help but luckily he was a little unlucky and fell in to a trap of his own making." Asher had a strange feeling that if the stubborn salesman had been chasing anyone else then he would not have fallen in. "Would you mind us hanging out here? Our friend should be back from meeting his mom any time."
'Friends of little Art? Hmm' The security guard made sure he memorized anyone he saw since it was part of his job. He had seen Art many times but never with friends so he was doubly sure to remember what they looked like. "It is fine with me. I'm glad to see some of Art's friends." The security guard said nothing more.
"Just out of curiosity, how long have you known Art and his family?" Jane decided it couldn't hurt to pry.
"I have been employed here for ten years as of last month. I like this job very much and can only thank hero corp for allowing me the opportunity to assist one of their executives." This was a response by the book. But it still gave them more information than they expected.
"Art's mother is an executive?" Jane said this to Asher wondering if he knew anything.
"You know just as much as me. He hasn't talked about his parents jobs much at all. To be honest I don't think he is ready to really talk about it much right now." The security guard was listening in slightly.
'I knew little Art's brother recently took over as the head of the family but I didn't realize it was that hard on him.' he had always had a soft spot since Art was the son which would actually come to visit his parents while they had lunch breaks. Is older brother only ever came when required.
The ding that rang caught all of their attention. "Oh, I was just about to text you guys. Check it out, I am all ready to go to camp." He showed off his signed slip triumphantly.
"I look forward to your next visit. Good luck at camp." The security guard showed a slight smile before returning back to his perfect poker face.
"I will definitely see you again. I will bring you some cookies for your kids next time, Adam." Art waved and headed off with Asher and Jane. Seeing Art act so happy and friendly they felt a little bad that they were about to bring the fire in to his life with the five alarm taco they got for him.
"What's that in your hand bro?" Art pointed at the to go back in Asher's hand. He had seen the bag and become curious, little did he know that he had fallen in to the trap already.