A Fresh Batch by Tirzah Tyler The metallic whine of the espresso machine sliced through the coffeehouse air like a caffeinated buzz saw. However, above the din of beverage service and jazz music, one conversation dominated the atmosphere. "After I opened my store at Rothborough Center, I tripled my clientele," Miranda said with a flourish of her fingernail-painted hand. "I was doing 30 beauty makeovers a week, and I had three girls on staff with me." This part of the story was embarrassing for Miranda to tell, so she hesitated. "I didn't know you used to own a business," Becky said with a widening of her sparkly young eyes. Miranda chuckled and rolled her eyes slightly before taking a sip of her coffee. Becky's such a nice kid, but she doesn't know anything, Miranda thought. "Yeah, life can be that way if you're not careful," she said aloud. "What do you mean?" Becky asked. With a deep sigh, Miranda examined the freckle-covered wrinkles on her plump hand before she continued her story. "My cosmetics store was my first real business venture, and I didn't have a college degree or entrepreneurial training. I had plenty of drive, though, and I thought I could accomplish big things with nothing more than a strong personality. I soon learned that achieving success and maintaining it are two different things. When I started losing customers, I . . . ," Miranda's voice trailed off, and her eyes became tiny pools that filled quickly. "Hold that thought," Becky interrupted gently, hoping she was not being rude to her coworker Miranda. "I'm going to get a refill on my bottomless cappuccino." Then she leaped out of the plastic chair in which she had been sitting. Grabbing coffee after they had finished their shift at the salon sounded like a great idea at first. Now, however, Becky was unsure how much longer she would be able to remain awake, even with bottomless caffeine. I know I'm only 20 years old, but I'm her new supervisor, Becky thought while she poured herself a fresh batch of coffee. Maybe she lost her business because she talked down to her customers. As she walked back to Miranda's table, Becky wondered how a woman who looked so polished on the outside could be so rough on the inside. She glanced at Miranda's immaculately painted face and noticed for the first time that Miranda's mascara was running. "I unjustly accused my three young employees of stealing from me," Miranda said with a quavering voice. "I found out much later how terribly wrong I had been." Becky almost tipped over her cappuccino while she speedily rummaged through her purse for tissues. A well of compassion bubbled up from inside her and flooded into her eyes while she offered the tissue to Miranda. "Thank you, sweetie," Miranda said quietly, as if she were addressing a toddler, while she dabbed the corners of her eyes with the tissue. "Life can take so many unexpected turns, like a roller-coaster ride that shows no mercy." Becky was not quite sure what Miranda meant by that statement, but she blotted her own tears with a fresh tissue and said politely, "That makes sense." "I am so thankful that your company hired me, because you have so much to learn from me," Miranda declared right before she blew her nose on her smudged tissue. The staccato blasts of air into her tissue rivaled the cacophonous whir of the coffeehouse's espresso machine. How does the passage's theme comment on the human condition? A. Becky's thought about being Miranda's young supervisor illustrates that socializing outside one's age range can be disappointing. B. Miranda's statement about her new employer having so much to learn from her shows that wisdom is more valuable than beauty. C. Becky's thought about Miranda looking polished on the outside but rough on the inside shows that appearances can be deceiving. D. Miranda's statements about running her own business illustrate that taking risks is seldom worth the effort and disillusionment.