CHEF! September 28, 2026 CHEF! Day 16 Iteration 178

Thought Bubbles

Every so often, people show a small thought cloud with an icon for what they're doing or waiting for, without turning the status labels on. Each person thinks for about 2½ seconds in every 14, each at their own moment, and only once they've been at the same thing for a few seconds.
Guests think of a chair while waiting for a table, the menu while reading it, a raised hand when ready to order, a drink and then food while they wait, the check, their card, a pen when signing, and the toilet or washing their hands in the bathroom. A guest who's getting impatient thinks of a clock instead.
Staff think about their work: a carrot when fetching or prepping ingredients, a clean plate or a free burner when they're waiting for one, a sponge when clearing and washing, the trash, drinks, menus, the check or a card. "Zzz" means they have nothing to do.
With the Status button on, or when hovering over someone, the full label shows instead of the thought.
The icons are new art from the Sprite Manager. The check and plate icons are being redrawn so they stand out against the white cloud.