"Hey George, you have a delivery to make some blocks away. It's urgent", Melinda called in.
George grabbed his bike after getting the package and left immediately.
"Morning George! Morning George", several people greeted him on the road.
A lot of people know him because aside from being a coffee shop delivery guy, he runs quick errands for tips.
"Hey George, another order just came in. Please be quick to get here", Melinda called just immediately after he dropped the package.
He got on his bike and rode back to the shop. Normally, it would take a regular biker about five minutes or more but for George, he needed less than three minutes because every shortcut in the city was registered in his head.
He went to deliver the new order and several others that day.
"Well done, today was quite impressive. 45 deliveries in total", Melinda complimented him as they prepare to close for the day.
"Thanks, please can I get a cup of coffee", George asked.
"Why not? Always ask when you want one", she replied.
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George was going about his delivery the next morning when he almost got crushed by a vehicle.
"Are you hurt?", the driver asked as he rushed out of the vehicle.
"Nah, you almost killed me", he replied angrily.
"I am sorry, I will pay for the package and fix your bike or probably get you a new one", the driver stammered.
"Just go your way, the package is just coffee and snacks. I will fix my bike", George replied as he got out of the spot he crashed into.
"Forgive me. I am Penderis", the driver introduced himself.
"Oh Mr. Penderis, thanks for almost killing me. I have deliveries to make", George replied.
"Would you mind joining a coffee race competition? It's happening soon", Penderis asked.
"I work every day of the week, not sure about that", George replied as he moved his bike.
"The prize is huge with a few coffee brand endorsements", Penderis tried persuading huge.
"Are you sure? Huge prize just for a race. What's the task?", He asked.
"It is not just a race, thousands of coffee lovers sponsored it and you just have to ride around finding answers", Penderis replied.
"Answers to what? and why are you telling me all this?", George asked
"Please take the information as an apology for almost killing you", Penderis replied.
They spoke for a few more minute and went separate ways.
George did the registration online and the audition took place a few days later. Luckily for him, he was picked.
George called in sick at work on the competition day and Melinda had to find someone else for the day.
"Today could be the day", George said to himself as he arrived at the venue.
He went to claim a bike and gears with his ID before joining other racers.
"Look at the vault over there, you need a code to open it. There are coffee shops marked on the map you have, they hold clues of the code you need to unlock that vault. Take your time to explore every marked spot, coffee is free but remember you don't have all the time. There is a riddle boldly written at each marked spot, the answers are what you need. You mustn't take your helmet off throughout the competition, you can't ask for help or use a phone, we are watching", the racers were briefed about the task and the rules before they took off.
He arrived at the first marked spot with other racers and as he entered the coffee shop, he found the riddle that says, "I am the reason why you are here, what am I?".
George look around and smiled, the riddle wasn't as tough as he expected.
He ordered a cold cup of coffee and emptied the cup within a minute. George left the place and arrived at the next marked spot. He found another riddle and it says, "I am the fourth and fifth word of the person who is in charge of making coffee".
"In charge of making coffee", he repeated the words severally but couldn't figure it out.
He went to the espresso machine and stared at it for a while.
"Can I help you?", a waitress asked and George replied, "No, thank you".
His response triggered the memory of the first time he met Melinda.
"Are you the owner of this place", George asked and she replied, "No, I am just a Barista. I am in charge of making coffee".
"That's the word, Barista", George whispered as he rushed out of the coffee shop.
He went to the last spot and found the riddle as well which says, "I am something when taken away from humans, they become dust again".
"When life is taken, nothing more", George said to himself and left the place.
On his way back, he sighted a racer ahead of him and he switched to take shortcuts just to beat the person.
He arrived at the vault first and was told he can only attempt once every ten minutes.
As he stared at the letters (keys) on the lock, his heart raced.
He began tapping the keys gently and he wrote, Money is Life but the vault didn't open.
George felt disappointed and gently walked away from the vault. A racer arrived but got it wrong as well.
Ten minutes elapsed and he decided to try again.
"Why I am here?", George asked himself again as he approached the vault.
"Coffee! The race was inspired by coffee, could that be it?", he whispered.
This time, his heart raced faster as he typed "Coffee is Life". The vault opened, George found a coffee beans shaped award plaque and cheque of a hundred thousand dollars.
He screamed with joy and the spectators began chanting his name.
