A Challenger
(I think I described the Chem Barons Bar earlier…..I think I did. That’s important for this chapter)
Two days after Councilor Salos visit, the doors of The Undercity opened to a surprise visitor. A man in a well-tailored suit strode in, his eyes piercing the room.
Caitlyn, who was located at her post at the hostess podium, looked up and recognized the ominous figure “welcome to the Undercity Silco. Unfortunately, we are fully booked this evening but please do make a-“
Silco put up a hand, “I have a private appointment with your manager.”
Caitlyn, displeased that she was not made aware of this, went to fetch Heimer.
“Silco! I must say how surprised I was when you reached out! It is my pleasure to finally host the manager of The Undercity's fastest growing rival!” Heimer said. The two of them were now in Heimerdinger's private office. It was very well decorated. Mostly with some gizmos and gadgets scattered around the place.
“Hardly a pleasure,” Silco stated, “I’m here on business.” Silco leaned back in his chair, his mismatched eyes fixed on Heimer. “Congratulations are in order Heimerdinger. Catering for the Councilor’s Gala is no small feat. And being hand selected by a councilor on top of that.”
Heimer began, his voice firm but polite, “The Undercity has always aimed for excellence. Councilor Salo only recognized the quality when he sees it.”
Silco chuckled, “Councilor Salo sure does. You know Heimer, he too reached out to The Chem Barons.”
Heimer's fur twitched but he kept his composure.
“It was a shame that he randomly had a change of heart and deemed your place for adequate. It was almost too random. I would hate to find out that someone purposely stole this opportunity from the Chem Barons,” Silco stated.
“I assure you Silco, no such thing happened,” reassured Heimer. “We were just as surprised as you were when Salo contacted us. Perhaps he just realized he needed something a little more….regal for his Gala.”
“Careful friend,” Silco started, “Pride is a dangerous thing. Especially when your competition is hungry.”
“I assure you my staff and I are more than prepared for any challenge,” Heimer quipped.
“Prepared?” Silco said, leaning forward onto Heimer's desk, “Catering Salos event is one thing. Beating my restaurant is another.”
Heimer frowned, his brows furrowed, “what are you suggesting Silco.”
Silco smirked, “A contest. A simple cooking competition between our establishments. My chef, Finn, against your golden boy pupil in the kitchen - Jayce was it?”
Heimer's fur tensed up even more. “And what, pray tell, would be the terms of your competition?”
“If my chef wins,” Silco began, “The Undercity steps down from catering the Gala. The Chem Baron Bar will then take its place.”
“And if we win…?” Heimer asked.
“If you win, unlikely as it may be,” Silco said, “the Chem Barons will keep its distance…for now. Consider it a test of pure skill.”
Heimer leaned back. His sharp mind was racing through the implications. A win could solidify the Undercity's dominance or risk their big chance at making the name known on a political level. But backing down from a fierce competition like this could make its way into the wrong ears. Critiques. And Heimer knows Silco already has some ins with a handful of those.
“Very well,” Heimer stated. “But I’m setting the rules for this competition. Neutral judges, even playing field, and at neither of ours home turf.”
Silco stood up and shook Heimer's hand. “Agreed. I can’t wait to see home your Golden boy hands the heat.”
As Silco made his way out of the restaurant, he passed the bar his eyes locked onto Viktor. “You have a very diverse crowd here Heimerdinger,” he remarked over his shoulder to the short man.
“Interesting company yields interesting results,” Heimer chanted back.
Silco smirked and left without another word.
After closing, Heimer called a meeting in the kitchen. All of the Undercitys staff was present. And a pair of eyes found themselves peaking from the Kitchens glass ceiling.
“A cooking competition?” Jayce yelled at Heimer, “after we finally secured the Gala you want to risk giving it up to The Barons?!”
Heimer looked at Jayce, “I have nothing but faith in you Jayce. That’s why I accepted the challenge after all. I know you have what it takes to beat Finn”
“THE GOLD JAWED SHARK FINN?!?” Jayce yelled back “HE WORKS FOR THE CHEM BARONS NOW?!”
Ekko leaned over and whispered into Steb's ear “who’s Finn?” Steb shrugged. He, like Ekko, was not a crazy chef-know-it-all and had no clue who Finn was.
After the meeting everyone dispersed to go to their appropriate homes. Ekko had to take the trash out first though. While in the alley way he got a quick surprise. (This paragraph is so ew but idk how to else to word it.)
“Seemed like exciting stuff” a voice cried down from the rooftops.
“Not really,” Ekko replied to the voice he recognized. He looked up to see Jinx sitting on the side of the building. “I’m more surprised you have the guts to come back here. Jayce and Caitlyn would kill you if you were back.”
Jinx, while not banned, was on a probation from the Undercity until after the Gala….just for safekeeping.
Ekko climbed up the side ladder and found a seat beside Jinx.
“You do know I just wanted to help,” jinx started.
“I know that. And so does everyone else. They are just all tense that’s all. Busy as ever. Especially with the Gala coming up,” Ekko responded.
“You don’t seem tense,”
“Yea but I’m just a waiter. I don’t have to worry about seating arrangements or how to cook or what drinks a guest wants to have,” Ekko replied.
“Hey. You’re important too. I’d like to see Jayce carry 9 plates to a table in under ten seconds.” Jinx reassured.
“I don’t know. Sometimes though, compared to everyone else I also feel like I could help out some more…..” Ekko stated.
Jinx sighed. “Heimer said no again didn’t he.”
Ekko tensed up. He turned to look at Jinx. “I told you. I don’t like it when you spy on me like that.”
“I didn’t. I swear. I could just tell,” Jinx reassured.
“I don’t know why he did. I did it before that Silco guy came in too so he had no reason too say no….” Ekko said his shoulders slumping lower than they were before. “I just want to prove to him that I’m ready to be more than just a waiter. I have what it takes.”
“Hey. I know that Ekko. And he does too. I’m sure he has a real reason to say no to you. Maybe he just can’t find a waiter as good as you to replace yet.” Jinx said.
“Maybe….maybe not. I don’t know. I just. I want to be a chef. I don’t want to spend my life bussing tables.” Ekko said slightly tearing up.
“I know Ekko. I know,” Jinx said leaning on his shoulder. “I know you're already a great chef. And one day. You’ll be the best.”