John's stomach rumbled, and he sighed wearily. What a miserable day, he thought as he trudged down the street. His boss declined to give him a raise, Jerry from Accounting had stolen his pen, and to top it all off, he'd left his lunch at home!
Looking up from his feet, John's eyes met a Dad's sign. Well... maybe a little comfort food wouldn't hurt. He pushed open the door to find himself staring at a bright pink monster, wearing the standard Dad's uniform.
Salutations!" the monster grinned, her eyes glinting from beneath the brim of her bright blue hat. "Welcome to Father's Burgers! May I be taking your order?"
John froze.
"Sir or madam?" the monster urged a little. "Your order please!"
There was a monster. One of the alien ones he'd seen on TV. Working at the register.
"Sir or madam!" she repeated. "My name is Portja, and I am happy to do the serving for you today, but you must be stepping up to the counter!"
His eyes darting around the room, trying to see if he was about to get ambushed by little green men, John cautiously crept up to the counter. He kept his eyes trained away from the alien. Maybe if he ignored her, she would just go away.
"I'll have a chee--"
John stopped himself. He was so nervous, his voice was breaking. The alien - Portja, he supposed - excitedly looked at the menu, before frowning.
"I am sorry, sir or madam, but I am not seeing chee anywhere on this menu..."
"W-what do you want!?" John blurted out, his nerves getting the better of him. "A-are you gonna probe me!?"
"...Is this an invitation?" Portja wondered, tilting her head.
"N-no!" he responded hurriedly. "I... I mean, what are you doing in a Dad's Burger Joint?"
"Oh!" the alien beamed, her eyes lighting up once more. "I am participating in the Earthican economy!"
"...The what?"
"This is my job part of the time!"
"...Are you telling me that you... a Martian..."
"Thorathian."
"Thorathian... got hired by a burger joint to work the till?"
"Exactly this!" Portja grinned again. "My manager overlord Mr. Stevens told me that as the best of all customers, I was to start today!"
"..."
"Oh, dear! Sir or madam, you still must place your order!"
"Coffee... and keep it coming. It's been a weird day..."