Franco's Beachside Ices

Check out more free maps and other content at patreon.com/SaCMaps Many of my other maps are available on Steam Workshop, and in a handy collection. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Franco’s Beachside Ice Cream Parlour Everyone knows Franco’s, but I remember Franco himself. A staple of my childhood, and thousands of others. Always ready with a smile and a loud greeting, as if you were the most important person in the world. Perhaps, in that moment, to Franco, you were. But you don’t think too much about it, and so you gleefully take your ice cream, then go off to slurp away at your delicious treat. Week after week, year after year, the same cheery exclamation of “My friend! How good to see you! What can I get you today, to make this a special day for you?” You don’t remember the last time you went. You likely didn’t know it was the last time. Years later, passing Franco’s, a burst of nostalgia washes through you, and you head inside. Franco isn’t there. But the memories…the memories will last forever. You will always be the most important person in the world, in that moment, and the feeling remains. Ownership may have passed to Franco’s son, but you realise that he is just like his father. This is just the next stage in a long, long line of people like Franco. And so your sadness is replaced by a smile as you hear the almost-familiar cry of “My friend!” ; Not-Franco greeting his newest young customer, just as loud and cheerful as his father ever was. And in that moment, you realise that, for this youngster, this is who they’ll remember. Yes, I remember Franco. But he left a good legacy, and Franco’s always remains. ------------ In fond memory of a small but powerful memory of childhood. ------------