Hi, Eldon. I took the liberty of moving your October challenge entry to its own post, so folks will see it. (It was lost beneath another conversation.) Thanks for taking part, and this is terrific!
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There was something strange about the barista. True, this was Japan but he was strange. Ordinary Japanese don’t display tattoos. They are considered vulgar and only circus folk and yakuza have them. I stepped to the service counter, grabbed a few napkins, and sprinkled some cinnamon on the steaming surface of my coffee. I love the smell of cinnamon, especially when mixed with the wonderful aroma of rich, strong coffee. I turned and faced the barista. He was so close that I accidentically spilled some hot coffee on his hand, causing him to drop the knife.
The Write Stuff 
And just why would a barista be holding a knife? Very sinister sounding piece.
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And sneaking up on our cinnamon loving coffee drinker, too? You gotta wonder. And there’s the whole point, right? Nicely done, Eldon.
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Very intriguing and beautifully observed.
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Enjoyable excerpt with an intriguing hook. I nearly heard the clang when the knife hit the floor!
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Nice suspense at the end Eldon. :
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“I’m so sorry,” I said as I tried to blot the coffee on his hand. “That’s ok,” said the barista. “I thought you might need a plastic knife to spread the cream cheese on your bagel.”
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Oh, SO not the way I thought that was going to end!! 😀
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Marcia,
I wasn’t sure either. It was either the hard, cool steel knife landing on the floor or the helpful barista/ yakuza. If the former it was going to be the comment: “He knew too much.”
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