in this cafe, chinese teens are cheery behind the counter, selling french pastries stabbed with teeny toothpick flags printed with unfussy chinese characters. on the big tv with a curved screen, a video of a female korean pop group dressed like high school girls in detention is on a continuous loop. meanwhile, an elderly hispanic gentleman holds the door for his younger lady companion, who, from a low sofa in the darker corner of the cafe, bolts up like a nervous water fowl sensing some unwelcome rustling.