Space Lasagna

'The Restaurant at the End of the Universe' was aptly named. They even gave a copy of the namesake book by Douglas Adams to each satisfied customer - and they did satisfy them all. Bonnie's husband was one of them. He wasn't just satisfied, he was 'elated to a state of suspended thought' (his words) all those years ago and since then no other lasagna could 'elate' him. Over time he had stopped having lasagna altogether, it was a pity 'The Restaurant at the End of the Universe' (referred to as the 'diner' from now on to save the writer some frustration) didn't deliver. Bonnie didn't see sense in this matter and believed that Kurt had given in to nostalgia, no lasagna is that good. Yet she presently found herself waiting in the fly-in queue light years away from home, it was Kurt's birthday the next day. He was going through a rough time at work and it pained her to see him that way. After much contemplation, the 'lasagna run' felt like the only thing that could cheer him up. 

The diner was essentially a floating stainless steel bean wrapped in bright yellow rings crowned by a retro neon display. A concave subtraction in the form marked the fly-in counter. A radio station tuned in to each ship to take their orders in advance. Bonnie's headset crackled up.

"Welcome to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (ugh), I'm Kavita, how may I help you today?"

"Umm..hi Kavita, I'm Bonnie. I'd like to order your 'Space Lasagna' packed for hyperspace travel but I can't seem to find it on the menu, can you help me?"

"Surely, may I place your line on hold while I run a check?"

"Ya sure"

beep... beep... beep...

"Hi Ms. Bonnie, thank you for being on the line. I regret to inform you that we have discontinued the dish for quite some time now-"

"What!?"

"...however we have an excellent 'Wormhole Lasagna', our customers love it and have reviewed-"

"No! no! wait!"

"Yes ma'am?"

"What do you mean discontinued! Its one of your signature dishes!"

"I agree ma'am, but the chef who prepared the dish is no longer with us, I'm extremely sorry. However the 'Wormhole Lasagna' is extremely-"

"No but why can't someone else make it surely you have the recipe?!"

"Umm... It was a patented dish ma'am, it left with the chef. Any attempt to copy it would be an infringement of their intellectual property. I apologize on behalf of-"

"But you don't understand! Kurt, aa.. my husband he doesn't eat lasagna, I mean he had it from here once and hasn't liked any other lasagna ever since. Its his birthday tomorrow! I've come a long way you must help me!"

"May I ask what system you're from ma'am?"

"I'm from the Aether system", she spoke with disappointment in her voice.

"That's in Alpha Centaur E! You are indeed a long way from home, you must love your husband."

"I do.", she replied looking down at her knees, her eyes close to tears.

"I don't know what to say to you ma'am, you won't accept anything else would you?"

"...No", there was silence on the line for some time. Realising that she was probably holding up the line, Bonnie got ready to leave the queue, "Never mind, thanks for your hel-"

"Ma'am, Bonnie, may I call you Bonnie? Kindly give me a moment..."

"Umm, ya.."

"I'm transmitting some data to your ship do you see it?"

"Yes... I see it", she tapped the icon on the dashboard. It led to the profile of a chef Salvador Moretti, "..is this?"

"Yes, I'm not sure I'm allowed to do this, but last I heard he returned to his home world - the address should be on the profile - and umm, runs a small eatery there. I'm not guaranteeing anything-"

"Thank you! thank you so much! Hundred blessings to you!", she was already inputting the co-ordinates into the GPS (Galactic Positioning System, not that you care about the full form). 

"Just happy to serve you ma'am, I'd greatly appreciate if you could fill the feedback form.."

"I'd love to! You're an angel! Thank you so much!"

"Good day ma'am!"

Bonnie jumped into hyperspace. Kavita saw the tiny ship vanish on the radar and smiled to herself. Her boss nodded at her across the room approvingly, mouthing the words - another satisfied customer. She wasn't completely convinced about that but the woman did sound hopeful when she left. Now just one issue remained - she had left without the book, and they took that really seriously up here.