Chapter 15 Cracker jack Lobster - Emperor Toyotami

Cracker Jack was adamant although he informed the King that he had no choice. "I will help you feed your son but on one condition," Jack told the King.

"And what is that Cracker Jack? Ask me anything," King Panucha; feeling he doesn't have any choice either.

Cracker Jack: I'll do anything to help your son but in exchange for the golden ivory.

The King of Tokugawa mindful about what he heard from Jack started thinking and wondering, he felt being trapped. He touched his chin and then blurted, " what the heck if its for the best and it's for the cure why should I be a hindrance to that."

After supper the King and Queen allowed the crew of Cracker jack to see Emperor Toyotami. Toyotami's nursery room is filled with too many toys, three gorgeous yayas. The three yayas were just watching him played with the many tendrils of the "Bean plant." He was being cajoled, tickled and entertained that laughter fills the air. The baby is over joyed because the bean plants have mind of their own.

Queen Shielah: Don't be shocked that's a normal setting here. A situation that is more than common. They seemed to enjoy each other's company. He never get hungry or else he'll cry.

Jack and his friends cannot find words to describe what they've seen that they all bowed down and kneeled before him. Seeing how happy they are...what is the importance of food?

Cracker jack approached the boy. He stared at him. He is such a cute little boy making a peek-a-boo gesture. Then the child chuckled and giggled as if he had seen a funny clown face. Still being curious, Jack got his magnifying lens and tried to inspect the crawling tendrils of bean plants.

Then suddenly loud screaming was heard.

Cracker Jack: Ouchhhhhhhh! How dare! Who did it?


It turned out the naughty tendril stalked cracker Jack's butt and spanked him for his curiousity.


Loud laughter and commotion followed that they were ushered out of the nursery room. The guys went back to their private room and made plans.

Terence: So, what is our next move? Do we have to cook the best food for the fuzzy emperor?

Justin: That's right. Food with special formula. The flavor that is not flat.

Jerry: Oh you tasted their food is bland eh? Flat tasting food. They "look delicious" though.

Anyway they all fell asleep knowing they had a good solution for the next day. When the dawn breaks Jack was seen looking out at the window. He observed that the other side of the pagoda has a field of beans and mind you they are not active. The bean plants are very quiet. There is no movement. Then he saw some cattles grazing on the field.

Cracker jack: Wake up everybody. I have a good idea.

They all tiptoed outside the pagoda and gathered 4 basketfull of healthy beans: soya, string beans, lima beans, gree beans, haricot including green peas.

The kitchen aide gave them the key to the main kitchen so that they can all start cooking before the Royal family wakes up.

The eleven elite men known for their martial arts put their white aprons and started working at the kitchen. They sharpened their knives, cleaned the casseroles, pots and pans and prepared the recipe for the special meal fit for the boy king.

BOOK CHAT Chapter 10 - The Concept

For the past 12 months the business is really doing great. Veronica's husband was not heard arguing with her after that. But one thing she noticed and has observed; the bookstore is becoming a commode for rumors and nasty gossip.

Veronica needs to divert the business into something productive, more meaningful and most of all profitable. Instead of having the customers stayed for long hours chatting at the bookstore she needs to plan something in advance. She doesn't want to drive her true loyal clients away from her establishment.

Once again she shut down the bookstore and applied license for a small restaurant beside her former store. At least this time those frequent buyers, customers and loyal clients can chat all day long if they want to at the other room designed for eating and chatting. At least while they chat they can order a meal or two. Food essential for growth are available on a steamed table. In this new venture Veronica would be able to hire at least 4 workers. Not bad right? Not that bad for small business advocates.

A concept that she planned long time ago hoping it would be more interesting for her family and the loyal friends of the Book Chat. Simple concept that is.

The Bookstore is dedicated for those who have certain fondness of the love for books and reading. Besides the bookstore has 2 computer booths as a facility for quiet researcher or students who would like to do their research project or study. A quiet, calm atmosphere for the studious while the happy go lucky individuals can be segregated in the fast food area. Segregation area for the chatty and bubbly group. Even her own teenagers bring their friends at the fast food for dining.

The new concept has brought happy moments, sad moments, meeting old faces, new faces, familiar and unfamiliar people, strange, obnoxious, you name it the place became a place to chill.

There are too many stories relating to her Book Chat of course only the most unforgettable are still intact in her memories though.

Just like this story: Veronica saw an old woman walking her puppy outside. The puppy barked so much that she was having a hard time controlling the leash on its neck. Her pet has created so much trouble hard to deny.

"Arf! Arf! Arf!," barked the loud puppy. As it barked continuously as if there's no tomorrow.

Seeing the old woman and her noisy dog made Veronica unhappy. Even if the door and window is double pane glass she can hear the sound of the bark outside. It's totally annoying. If she could only cover her ears or ask the woman to move quietly away from the site.

Then suddenly the old woman came in to her store. Alas! the dog stopped barking. But her pet looks tired, restless and agitated. It must be hot outside and the air conditioning inside the Book Chat has helped him pacified.

Veronica: Hello there poor puppy. How come you barked so much?

Old Woman: I think puggy is very tired and needs to drink.

Veronica: Oh I see. You're puppy needs water then ( Veronica offered a bowl of fresh water to drink taken from the tap. She touched the puppy on its face and asked why her pet's face looked a bit different). Isn't he cute? The puppy's face is wrinkled and its nose pushed in and ... and your pet is stocky and chubby.

Old Woman: It's a pug! That's why I named him Puggy!!

The old grouchy grumpy woman moved to the Fast Food area and mumbled, " I'd better feed my pug or he'll leave me with another master!"

Veronica's smile turned into uncontrollable laughter. She thought the old woman and her pug are awesome duo.

Thirteen - General Meeting

Ever since then the business operation yields fruitful and profitable. I had no complaint whatsoever except few minor problems when customers get out of bounds. Like when someone ordered steak and it was not into their liking. That person wants medium rare instead of well done. Or other customers would like rare steak when its grilled medium rare.

I remember one customer was so picky then reluctant to pay for his meal because it was "flat" as his number one complaint. The truth is he said the food is flat when he already consumed half of the food from his plate. Or mild problems such as children throwing green peas all over the carpeted floor and some customers accidentally stepped on them. The waitresses couldn't help get a bit bitchy while cleaning the mess.

Those are the minor problems we encountered outside the kitchen.

While inside the kitchen? When it's not busy almost everyone are chatting and laughing at the chef's jokes. You know Jonathan is such a comedian when he's not busy. Although when it gets busy and the squirrel machine started popping out scrolls of orders then it's time to get serious and everyone should be alert and follow guidelines.

When it gets hectic, almost everyone gets fed up. Loud screaming, yelling and shouting at the top of their lungs. Few gets whiny. Lots of dramatic moments. Although after every storm the calm gets in. Apologizing each day and then the next day the drama begins again. On and off version.

The drama action inside the kitchen, at the dining and at the bar goes on and on until up to 365 days. Finally we conquered one year, the critical year of the tavern operation. Sounds to good to be true but yes, the tavern had it's one year anniversary. Proven to be a successful business after all.

On it's 367th day I announced to all the employees that we'll have a general meeting. I want them to attend the meeting and its urgent compulsory meeting.

The meeting's venue at the bar section. Vivianne, Mateelda, and Harry gathered round the bar sitting at the rattan stools listening to the music being played from the jukebox. The song being played "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." Followed by Katy Perry's "Hot & Cold."

Finally at 7:00 pm all the other employees arrived and joined us at the bar section.

"We always have a monthly meeting and this is our first yearly meeting. I told them. To protect and secure our standing within the community Mateelda and I have a plan. A wonderful plan.

"What plan?" Almost everyone of them asked. They were curious. Very curious.