Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Phil yawned as he walked home. He was knew to the City of SMP.
A new City.
A new house.
A new start.
And nice long hours at a SMP Hospital.
A small hospital that was poorly staffed and managed, but somehow was still allowed to run. Phil wasn’t too bothered. Doing his job as a nurse and trying his hardest to help his patients. Not many hospitals would hire Phil, so he wasn’t going to complain. Not after all the drama that happened to him in Hardcore.
He rubbed at his leg, as it started to act up. Six year and it still wanted to cause him problems. But then, he was walking basically across the city just to get home, since it was too late for a bus. So, it was expected he guessed. Most of the stores were closed too that he was passing on his way.
He had to pass through a poor district of the city to get home near the docks and the only place open was this pizzeria. Strange to find one so close to the docks. It honestly was the only restaurant in this particular area And it looked like a nice one too, compared to the other shops and building nearby. Phil’s only been in SMP City for a month and during that time of adjusting to the new flow his life was taking and walking past the place. He noticed that its open sign was always on, but no one seemed to go in the place.
He stopped in front of it, looking at the clean building. With bight lights on inside showing off a warm looking inside and plush booths and chairs. It looked nice and clean, honestly it looked a bit fancy. He pulled out his wallet. He didn’t want to heat up another frozen dinner when he got home. He was kind of getting sick of frozen chicken strips and potatoes. The dollar meals were okay, but not really something he enjoyed. Well, he guessed the only way he was going to learn if this place was affordable or not was to walk in and ask for a menu. Plus, he wouldn’t mind sitting down and rest his aching leg too. And he survived a whole month in a new City. He might as well treat himself.
He entered and the little bell on the door jingled announcing his entrance to staff. Well...Phil looked at the stand that had a stand wait to be seated on it. At the counter and bar and door that had to lead to the kitchen…..The place was empty. Or just in the back.
He waited a moment, and just when he was about to call out. The door leading to the kitchen; he had been right. He spotted the edge of a stove. The guy that walk out was dressed rather nice, dress shirt and black slacks. Just his dyed green hair seemed weird, for such a place like this. “What do ya want?” The guy demanded.
“Oh, uh. Hi. I thought I’d look at your menu and see what kinds of pizza’s you guys sold.” Phil answered, a bit put off by the rudeness. But then He could understand. Late shifts were brutal. And maybe the guy was having a bad night.
“What?” The guy asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“Uh, pizza. Unless you’re not open.”Phil said, pointing to he lit up open side in the window.
Guy guy uncrossed his arms. “Oh. Yeah. No. We’re open.” He answered.
“Oh, good. Do you have a menu?” Phil asked.
The guy looked back toward the kitchen door. “Sure. Take a seat and I’ll just go get one.” He said, gesturing vaguely to the chairs, tables and booths. Leaving before Phil could say anything else.
Phil blinked and looked at the open tables and chairs. It really did feel weird being the only customer in such a place that was obviously build to hold a lot of people. He honestly didn’t know where he should sit. He kind of just meandered around the empty tables until he finally just decided to sit in a booth near the wall that was facing the window so he could look out and….he slouched, see a bunch of docked boats and warehouses and rundown buildings on a late night. Well, what the street lamps could cover anyway. It was a terrible spot, but Phil didn’t feel like getting up after he just sat down and stretched his bad leg out under the table
The kitchen door slammed back open. And the host was back, he spotted where Phil was and while he wasn’t marching over to Phil. It seemed like he aggressively walked over and dropped the menu on the table. “Here.” He said.
“Oh. Uh, thank you. Mr?” Phil looked for a name tag, but the man wasn’t wearing one.
“Call me Sam. So, what do you want.” He said crossing his arms.
“I uh, need to look at it first. But some water would be nice, hold the lemon, please.” Phil asked, with a smile was the guy maybe not use to costumers coming in this late maybe?
Sam frowned and look over at the kitchen door again and then back at Phil. “Fine.” He said. Going back into the kitchen.
Phil scratched at his head. Were people in large Cities always this rude, maybe? Hardcore wasn’t a large city but he couldn’t remember a time to in Hardcore where a server was so…..blunt? Was that the right word? Phil shook his head and looked at the menu. And oh, they sold pasta too. And cheesecake.
“Here.” Sam was back. “Do you know what you want now.” He demanded.
Phil nodded. “Yes. Can I get you stone oven house pizza? It looks delicious. Is it really cooked a stone oven back there?” He asked.
“Hell if I know. I don’t cook.” Sam said, and basically yanked the menu from Phil’s hands. “Anything else?” He said.
“Do you still have cheese cake this late?” Phil asked.
“If its on the menu we have it.” Same scoffed, already walking away. Not bothering with giving a wait time for the pizza.
Phil hummed shrugging off his jacket as he watched Sam disappear back into the kitchen. Guy must really be having a bad night. He figured as he sipped on his water. The prices weren’t too bad. In fact they were really affordable. If the food was good. Phil could look past the rude customer service in favor of eating here on his way home a few times in the week.
Sam didn’t come back out of the kitchen until twenty minutes later and carried out an individual pizza and cheese cake. And placed them on the table. Phil could already feel his mouth water at the smell and look of the pizza. It looked so good. Or Phil was just that hungry after a twelve hour shift. “Here.” Sam said, putting the bill for Phil’s meal on the table. And left without another word. The kitchen door slamming shut as Sam disappeared back into the kitchen.
Which was fine. Phil didn’t mind eating alone. That he was use to. The pizza was delicious. Phil hummed as the flavors seemed to explode in his mouth. “Oh, my god.” He moaned, leaning his head back. It was so good. He was so glad he decided to stop and check this place out. He was so sick of his frozen dinner. And the cheese cake was just as good. Almost too soon his food was gone and he sat there just enough to let his food settle, before getting up and putting his jacket back on and went to the counter with the register. “Hello?” He called, holding his bill in hand.
Nothing.
He looked at the little bell by the register and ringed it.
A few moments later Sam came back out the kitchen doors slamming open. “What?” He demanded.
“I’m ready to check out.” Phil offered, holding the bill to Sam.
“Oh. Right.” Sam hummed. Stepping to he register. “fifteen, seventy-five.” He said.
Phil paid with cash. And when Sam went to give Phil his change, Phil split it and held out the amount he wanted to tip his rude server.
“What are you doing?” Sam asked.
“Tipping you.” Phil smiled. Laying the tip on the counter in front of Sam, who raised an eyebrow at Phil like he was being weird. “Tell the chef the food was delicious. Have a good night yeah?” Phil said, before leaving. His leg feeling a bit better after being able to sit for a bit and rest it. Phil made it home about an hour later. A nice little house in a small suburban area. Not many people lived here either but it was more middle class. And well. Phil didn’t mind not having many neighbors. He immediately ignored the boxes he still needed to unpack and was living out of to just go shower and fall asleep on his bed before he had to get back up and go back to work.
Phil ended up working a double the next day. Meaning a full twenty four hour shift, because five nurses did not show up and Phil had to take care of all their patients and deal with irritated doctors. His leg not liking him at all, but he kept moving. Now that he was done and walking home. He passed by the pizza restaurant again. This time it was early in the morning, which most pizza places he knew would be closed during the morning hours. But this place was open again. This time is bothered to look at the name. Hypixel Pizza. Uh, that was a name alright. Yawning, Phil decided to see what his new found rest stop and food place sold for the morning people.
The bell jingled again. Announcing his entrance.
He stood at the wait to be seated podium where a host would usually be at. And after a few minutes, the kitchen door slammed open. “What?” Sam demanded, his was in a different dress shirt, and slacks. Hair was still green though.
“Morning.” Phil waved.
“Oh, its you again. What do you want this time?” Sam demanded.
“Hm, was wanting to see what you guys served this early in the morning?” Phil said politely.
Sam narrowed his eyes at Phil. “Right. Sit wherever.” He said leaving Phil alone one again in the dining-room full of empty tables. Even in the morning no one was coming into this place, with the sign lit up saying open.
Phil sat in the booth he picked the last time and waited for Sam return with a menu. It was mostly pastries and coffee. And only one or two pizza’s that were on this menu. The green haired man standing at Phil’s table with his foot tapping. Like he wished Phil would hurry up. Bu Phil just looked the meu over with tired eyes, not bothered by the rudeness. “Hurry up, I don’t have all morning.” Sam finally said.
“Sure, mate.” Phil yawned. “Can I get a coffee black. And….a your spinach quiche?” Phil said.
“Fine.” Sam said, and just like before yank the menu from Phil’s hands.
Phil smiled and rested his head on his palm propped up by his elbow, and closed his eyes, as he heard the kitchen door slam shut behind Sam. The booth was really comfortable. Nice and plush. And Phil really couldn’t understand why people weren’t coming to eat here. Outside of a rude host, this place wasn’t so bad.
Sam brought Phil’s order to him and basically slapped the bill on the table before leaving to disappear in the kitchen again. Phil picked up the coffee cup and wow. He tiredly looked at it. This was a really, really nice cup. And the coffee smelt so good. Phil too a sip from it with a sigh. Oh that was good. Tasted nothing like his chunky grounds he made for himself.
“Who the fuck are you?” a young voice demanded.
Phil opened his eyes. And looked to the side of the table to see a child standing there, hands on his hips and a bandaid across his nose. “I’m Phil. Who are you mate. Little young to be a waiter.” He asked the kid with a smile.
“I don’t have to tell you who I am” The kid snapped.
And then boldly stole a slice of Phil’s quiche. Phil frowned and looked around the dining-room and yup. It was still empty outside of him and now one child. “Where are your parents? And do they know you like to steal peoples food?” Phil asked, with a tired smile.
“I can do whatever I want. My brothers own this joint, and I can have you dragged out by your ears if I want to.” The kid snapped.
Phil laughed. Kids were hilarious. Or maybe Phil was just too tired this morning. “Your brothers own this place you say?” He asked.
The kid nodded. “Yeah.” He said getting in the booth across from Phil and stood on it. He looked nine or eight maybe. “So if you fuck with me. You’ll be swimming with the fishes by before noon today.” He humphed, taking Phil’s cup of coffee and drinking out of it.
Phil winced a bit but chuckled as the kid spit it out.
“Ew! Yuck! What did you do to it!” The kid gagged.
“Ordered a black coffee.” Phil answered, propping his head in his hand again, as the kid put the coffee cup down in favor of stealing another piece of quiche from his plate.
“You have shit taste.” The kid insulted.
“Pretty sure coffee’s not for kids.” Phil said simply.
“Tommy!” Sam came out of the kitchen. Both the kid; Tommy, and Phil looked over as the green haired man looked at the kid with stern look. “Get away from there and get back in the office. You were told not to bother the dining-room if we got guests.” The ma’s eyes slid to Phil before back over to Tommy.
“Its fine Sam, I know what I’m doing. Pussy face here ain’t gonna do a thing to me.” Tommy said puffing out his chest.
“Office now. Or I’m calling your brothers.” Sam instructed, sounding like a babysitter.
“Fuck...fine.” The kid rolled his eyes and crossed his arms as he jumped from the booth he was standing in. “Be glad bitch. You’ve been spared from judgment today.” He told Phil before strutting away and back into the kitchen.
Phil chuckled tiredly. “I’ll be sure to count my stars, mate.” He told him.
Sam watched Tommy and only looked back to Phil when the kid was back in the kitchen. “You eat, and leave.” He said, before letting the kitchen door slam shut behind him leaving Phil in the dining-room alone again.
Phil hummed, then yawned as he picked his coffee cup up and sipped from it. He didn’t feel like getting a new one. He rubbed at his bad leg, trying to chase the aches in it away. That double shift and his walk home was just not making that leg happy, and he still had to get his medical file transferred over once he got a new pain doctor to get some medicine. Right now he was picking the days to take what he got. Might need to take one now, but he didn’t want to get all relaxed, relaxed until he got home. The kid had been a nice change. Brought some energy into the room.
Phil finished his breakfast with no more interruptions. And like the first time Sam did not come back to check on the restaurants only customer. Which was fine. Phil kind of thinks he dozed off here and there while eating anyway. Phil finally stood up and stretched. Rubbing at his bad leg again when it protested. He’d take some medicine when he got there. He picked up his bill from the table and with to the register. Again, no one came out of the kitchen, until he rang the bell by the register.
Sam came out, looking more annoyed now. “What?” He demanded.
“I need to pay for the meal, mate.” Phil offered, holding up the bill.
The green haired man rolled his eyes. “Right. Fine.” He scoffed, coming to the register. “Seven, thirty eight.” He said. Taking the bill and cash from Phil’s hand that was more snatch than a hand off. Phil like last time took his change, and split it , leaving the tip on the counter for Sam to take.
“Thanks mate. I needed that pick me up.” He told him. He thought about mentioning Tommy too, but Sam didn’t look to be in a particularly good mood today either.
“Whatever. Get out now.” Sam told him.
Phil nodded with a polite smile. Must be hard watching a kid like Tommy and run a restaurant. Phil could almost relate, but then a hospital and taking care of five other peoples shift were probably more draining in a different way than watching your bosses kid brother.
When Phil got home he took a pain pill, showered, and then let himself fall into bed again. Drifting into a more deeper sleep with the medicine. He was going to sleep all day, in eight hours decide is he was going to go to work, or call out and finish unpacking his boxes…..He was probably just going to go to work. Unpacking everything, seemed like a hassle. Especially since he didn’t know if he was going to stay yet.
The third time Phil went back to Hypixel Pizza, was actually on his day off, about four days later. It was raining and Phil didn’t want to stay in his house and unpack on his stuff. He needed to explore the new City and see what SMP had to offer. Sightseeing the stores. Farmer’s market and the fish market, which was by the docks. And with Phil in front of the pizza restaurant. The fish market had been in sight of the pizza restaurant in the distance. But even in the middle of the day, he didn’t see anyone going inside. And the sign was still illuminated ‘OPEN’.
It really was out of place near the docks. The people around seemed to not want to walk in front of it. He literally watched a family cross the street just to stay away from the Hypixel Pizza. Phil frowned. Was it maybe Sam’s bad attitude that was keeping people away? The food was delicious. Speaking of food.
Phil crossed the street to the restaurant, he had his can with him today. He didn’t usually walk with it, since his limp was nonexistent until he over did it. Only when the pain started acting up did he have a limp. The cane helped with not really adding his weight on his bad leg. The bell jingled again and for once Sam was at the bar. Phil was starting to wonder if the guy took a day off. Not that Phil had any room to talk. He was on his first day off after moving to the city in month.
“You again.” Sam said with an irritated sigh, making himself a drink and taking a sip.
“What can I say. The food is good, mate.” Phil shrugged, with a smile.
“Sure.” Sam huffed, with a roll of his eyes leaving for the kitchen again.
Phil stood there a minute, before just walking to he guessed was beginning to be his table that he sat it now when he came in. Sam came back and let the menu drop on the table and stood there with crossed arms, and a glare. “Hurry up, and tell me what you want.” He told Phil. Eyes flicking to the cane on the other side of Phil in the booth.
“Sure mate. How about I try you pasta today? You got a recommendation?” Phil asked, politely.
“No. Now tell me what you want or leave.” Sam answered coldly.
Well, Sam was clearly in a worse mood today. Phil looked at the menu. “The spaghetti with meatballs? Do you got cheesy garlic bread?” He asked.
“If its not on the menu then we don’t have it.” Sam scoffed, snatching the menu from Phil’s hands and walking away.
“Oh! Uh, can I get a water? No lemon please?” Phil called after. Half getting up but Sam was already in the kitchen.
The food came out in fifteen minutes, and thankfully so did his water. No cheesy garlic bread though, or the regular garlic bread. Phil took a bite and hummed satisfied. Yup even the pasta was delicious.
The door bell jingled and a man in a beanie and short black hair came in dressed similar to Sam in clothes outside of the beanie. “Sam! I’m back with the supplies. You should have seen their faces when I showed up.” He called, pulling at the tie around his neck to loosen it. And tossing his umbrella ontot he counter without a care. Brown eyes immediately found Phil, and the man paused just behind the counter near the kitchen door.
Phil waved good naturally. Happy to see someone come through the door that wasn’t himself.
“Quackity.” Sam burst from the kitchen door.
“Hey, who the fuck-” Quackity pointed to Phil, before Sam grabbed the other mans arm and dragged him into the kitchen.
“Shut the fuck up, Q!” Sam hissed, his next words cut off when the kitchen door slammed shut.
Phil chewed on a meatball, wondering what that was all about. And watched silently as Qauckity seemed to be pushed from the kitchen.
“Fine. I’ll bring it around back. Jeez.”Quackity huffed, and sent a mean glare to Phil before leaving out the door again.
Must be inventory day. Phil looked out the window to see the rain letting up a bit. What a terrible day to have to do inventory and restock. Phil didn’t envy them needing to do that with the rain today.
“Why are you back here?” Phil turned over to see Tommy standing by his table. The child looking at him with his arms crossed.
“The foods good.” Phil answered, with a smile.
“Obviously the foods good.” Tommy huffed. “My brothers aren’t going to let bad food leave the kitchen.” He said, getting on the other booth in front of Phil and laid a note pad and pencil in front of him. “We’re going to have a talk you and I.” He told Phil.
“Oh? Like an interview?” Phil asked.
“Yeah. If you deserve my brothers to come and kick you ass or not.” Tommy huffed, and pulled Phil’s plate of spaghetti toward himself and stole a meatball from it. “Now, are you a creep.” Tommy demanded.
Phil chuckled. “No, mate. Not a creep.” He answered.
“That’s exactly what a creep would say.” Tommy said with his mouth full. Writing in his notepad.
“Are you’re brothers here? I’d like to meet them and let them know the food is delicious in person.” Phil asked.
“No. I’m in charge. And if you keep talking, I’ll tell Sam you are bothering me and have him lock you in the freezer.” Tommy huffed, looking at Phil with a child’s determination.
“Okay, mate.” Phil agreed.
“What’s with the cane?” Tommy blurted, pointing his pencil at it. “You didn’t have it last time.”
“Oh. You know. Gotta have a niche.” Phil said. He didn’t want to trouble a kid with his woes of pain that plagued his left leg.
“It looks like shit and cheap.” Tommy huffed. “You should get something cooler, with an animal head on it or something.” The kid said. Stealing more of Phil’s food.
“I’ll think about it.” Phil laughed. The cane was a cheap buy. Phil wasn’t really looking for looks when he got it. “Isn’t Sam going to be mad at you for being out here?” He asked, not wanting Tommy to get in trouble.
“So? Sam’s busy right now with Big Q. and besides, I want to talk to you. If he doesn’t want to get fired, he’ll leave me alone. My brother told him to watch me. Not tell me what to do.” Tommy stated, confidently.
Phil sipped on his water. He wasn’t sure if that was how adults worked. “If your not a creep then what do you do?” Tommy asked.
“I’m a nurse.” Phil answered. “I came from Hardcour Medical. In Hardcour City.” He told Tommy.
“Ew. You stick people with needles for a living. I hate needles.” Tommy spat. Aggressively writing in his notepad with Phil’s answer.
“Its a bit more than that, mate.” Phil smiled. Giving up on his spaghetti seeing that Tommy was eating more of it.
“Still, Hardcore City is like, far. Isn’t that a small city compared to this one. My brother Wil, once visited and said it was cute but lacked variety. That the leadership of the City would drive it into the ground sooner or later and putting up business there would be a waste of time.” Tommy said.
Ouch. Hardcore wasn’t that bad. Well, Phil guessed the Cities Leadership could do better. Phil rubbed at his bad leg again, remembering his home City. He missed it. But going back wasn’t an option. Not after all the reputation damaging drama he suffered. “Hardcore is about a three days flight, yeah.” Phil said, deciding to just focus on the distance. He was so far from home.
“Why do you look sad now?” Tommy demanded.
“Just thinking. I guess I’m a bit homesick.” Phil admitted.
Tommy pursed his lips. “Homesick?” He asked. “Then go home.” He suggested.
Phil chuckled. “I’m sure that will cure it, yes.” It wouldn’t. Phil still hadn’t even unpacked yet. “What about you, mate. Shouldn’t you be outside playing?” He asked.
“No. See I’m in charge while Techno and Wil are out on business. I’m holding down the fort.” Tommy stated. Fork scraping against the plate as he finished off the spaghetti. “Got to make sure weirdos like you don’t stain don’t cause trouble.” He stated, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “Well, that’s all for today.” Tommy said, snapping his notepad closed. “Come back tomorrow, and we’ll continue. I don’t want to break you brain with my awesomeness on the first round of questions.” He said, marching himself into the kitchen.
Phil smiled and wave bye to the kid. “Sure, mate. I’ll be sure to rest up. You really have me on the ropes, mate.” He told him.
“You better believe it!” Tommy grinned, before disappearing behind the kitchen door.
Phil ended his day off, going back home and just stared at his half open boxes, just pulling out his scrubs for work. Looking at a picture of his wife. And holding her ring, while his other hand massaged at his bad leg. The pain spiking bad that night for some reason. Talking about Hardcore City with Tommy, just made him miss home much more.
‘Coming live from you on channel seven. Authorities have found a body in the harbor on fourth street in the fifth district of SMP City. This is the fourth body in the past year. The body is that of business tycoon Steve Polar. Ceo and owner of Arctic Surveillance. Police are investigating.-’
Phil hummed and turned the TV off. That was near Hypixel Pizza, if he wasn’t mistaken. He hoped the staff there were okay. He laid on his mattress with a tired groan. At least today seemed to go okay.
TBC