Green Kauri Comics · Story 006
House Rules
A story about accepting care, taking a break and the café rules that never sleep.
Story 006
Who looks after the person looking after everyone?
Robyn keeps the café running through a cold and refuses to rest. Kiwi finds a quiet way to return her kindness.
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It is an early morning at Ted and Robyn’s café in New Brighton, Christchurch. Robyn has a cold, but there are scones to bake and customers to serve. Kiwi sleeps in a cardboard box on a red plaid blanket.
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Panel 1 — Who would bake?
At 6:55 am, Robyn carries a tray of fresh scones. Her nose is red, a scarf is wrapped around her neck, and tissues hang from her apron pocket. Ted reaches towards her from behind the counter. “You’re sick, love. Go home,” he says. “Don’t be ridiculous. Who’d bake?” Robyn replies. Kiwi sleeps in his box nearby.
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Panel 2 — I’m fine
By 9:30 am, Robyn is carrying two coffees and coughing into her arm. Ted is chatting with a customer at a table. “I’m fine. TED! Table six!” she calls. Kauri sits on a stool beside a steaming mug and offers, “I can help.” Kiwi is awake in his box, watching.
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Panel 3 — Your turn
At 10:15 am, Robyn sits on the window bench, exhausted, with a tissue in her hands. Kiwi has brought the red plaid blanket out of his empty box and over to her feet. She looks down at him and says, “…No animals in the café.” Kiwi replies, “Your turn.”
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Panel 4 — Still the boss
At 11:00 am, Robyn sleeps under the red plaid blanket with Kiwi curled up beside her. Kauri carries a tray of scones, and Ted is back behind the counter. Max leans towards Ted beside his laptop and whispers, “She’s asleep. So… free?” Without opening her eyes, Robyn answers, “No.”
Looking after everyone includes letting someone look after you.
- Characters
- Robyn, Kiwi, Ted, Max and Kauri
- Setting
- New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Themes
- Accepting care, kindness, rest and reciprocity
- Published