Taste of Brew

Taste of Brew
Why do they call coffee 'brew'? Read this.

One late evening in August, when the sun began to set, and he had finished an assignment at his flat in the town limits of Arkham, Thomas Radcliffe the day clerk felt a bit worn out and headed out to the local cafe for a cup of coffee.

This writer should warn readers that coffee, anywhere but in Arkham and Salem, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, is safe to drink. Thomas lived in Arkham. However he did not think very seriously about coffee anywhere in America.

Thomas wandered over to the cafe and sat at a table for two. The employee headed towards him and asked his order.

"Yes, sir, what'll you have?"
"Espresso with a punch of brown sugar."
"Yes, sir."

The waiter returned to his post and informed the cook of the order. Several minutes later, hot espresso in a standard cup was set on Thomas's table. The waiter watched him lift the cup and asked about the taste. Thomas replied that it tasted rather bitter but he understood that genuine espresso was that way. The waiter smiled and then returned to his post again.

A soft humming issued from the kitchen but Thomas neither heard it not paid any attention. He sipped his coffee until it was all gone. Then he paid his bill and went home.

He was normal until just 11pm. At that hour, in the cafe, the cook uttered "Yog-sothoth is the Gate."
In his flat, Thomas was suddenly overwhelmed by both the brew and a sudden sensation at his waist and abdomen; and then he fainted. When he revived, twenty minutes later, he was shocked to discover that tentacles were extending from his waist.