ALL NOVEL Chapter 7: Afternoon Rush
Ethan parked the food truck back at the lot, the engine's rumble dying down as he leaned back in the seat.
The quiet hum of the city filled the air around him, a stark contrast to the chaos of the morning rush.
He pulled the cash out of his apron pocket and placed it on the counter inside the truck.
The pile looked bigger than he expected, a mix of crumpled bills and coins that he began sorting with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Let's see what we've got," he muttered, grabbing a pen and notepad.
Counting the money took longer than expected, partly because of how much there was and partly because Ethan kept pausing to double-check.
After jotting down the last number, he leaned back against the counter, the pen dangling loosely from his hand.
"Four hundred and fifty-two dollars," he said aloud, a low whistle escaping his lips.
It wasn't a fortune, but for a few hours of work, it felt like a victory. Subtracting the cost of the morning's ingredients, he still had a solid profit in his pocket — and the realization sent a small surge of pride through his chest.
As if on cue, the system phone buzzed on the counter, its sudden noise startling him out of his thoughts.
He picked it up, and the screen lit up with a notification:
[System Alert: New Location Suggested for Afternoon Shift]
[Estimated Foot Traffic: High]
[Location: Riverside Park Food Row]
Ethan raised an eyebrow, scrolling down to read more. The system highlighted the park as a hotspot for families, joggers, and office workers enjoying their lunch breaks.
"Riverside Park," he said, tapping his chin. "Sounds promising."
Another notification popped up:
[Reminder: Stock Up on Ingredients Before Heading Out]
Ethan locked up the truck and headed straight for the market, the energy of the morning still buzzing in his veins.
He had a better idea of what he needed this time, and he moved through the aisles with purpose.
Fresh ground beef, chicken, tortillas, vegetables, and cheese went into his cart. He added some extra items — sauces, seasoning, and a few disposable cutlery packs — just to be safe.
The vendors were familiar now, a few even giving him a nod of recognition as he paid.
"Back for more already?" one of them asked, handing him a bag of fresh tomatoes.
"Yeah," Ethan replied, grinning. "Morning went better than I expected."
"Good for you," the vendor said. "Hope the rest of your day's just as busy."
By the time Ethan returned to the truck, the sun was high, and the city felt warmer.
He packed the fresh supplies into the refrigerator and shelves, making sure everything was in order before starting the engine.
The drive to Riverside Park was longer than his morning commute, but the system's GPS guided him through the winding streets with ease.
When he arrived, he immediately saw why the system had recommended it. The park was bustling with life — families with kids, couples on benches, runners stretching by the water.
And at the edge of the park, a row of food trucks lined the street, their bright colors and lively designs drawing in hungry customers like moths to a flame.
Ethan found an open spot near the center of the row, parking carefully before stepping out to take a look around.
"Alright," he said, surveying the area. "Time to get to work."
Setting up took less time than it had in the morning. Ethan's movements were quicker now, more practiced as he fired up the grill and organized his supplies.
The first customer approached before he was even fully set up — a young man in a business suit who ordered a chicken taco.
Ethan worked quickly, handing over the taco with a smile. The man thanked him and walked off, taking a bite before he was even a few steps away.
"Damn, this is good!" the man said, turning back briefly to give Ethan a thumbs-up.
The next customer came up right after him, and then another, and another.
The afternoon rush was just as intense as the morning, if not more so. The line grew quickly, stretching down the block as word spread.
Ethan moved like a machine, flipping burgers, grilling chicken, and assembling tacos with practiced speed.
The smells of sizzling meat and fresh spices filled the air, drawing more people in with every passing minute.
"Two cheeseburgers and a taco!"
"Three chicken tacos, extra sauce!"
"Grilled cheese, no pickles!"
The orders came fast, but Ethan kept up, his hands moving almost on instinct. The rhythm of the work was exhausting but oddly satisfying.
By late afternoon, the crowd began to thin. Ethan leaned against the counter, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
He glanced at the cash in his apron, already feeling the weight of another successful shift.
The system phone buzzed again, and he picked it up to see a new notification:
[Congratulations! Profit Margin Reached: 82%]
Ethan smirked, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. The system wasn't just a lifeline— I t was a game changer.
As the last customer walked away with a bag of tacos, Ethan closed the window and leaned against the counter, letting out a long breath.
"Two shifts down," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad for a day's work."