Leo exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. Moments later, he was handed two steaming sacks of sliders. The smell hit him—that unmistakable, nostalgic aroma of steam-grilled beef and pickles.

"The system says..." Kevin paused for dramatic effect, "it’s your lucky night. The coupon cleared just as the phone gave up the ghost."

He pulled into the drive-thru. "Welcome to White Castle," a crackly voice said. "May I take your order?"