The weekend, surprisingly busy.
And late.
The owner, pissed off at A for not returning his call, (Having called her about something so trivial he's already forgotten) has ignored her the past 4, 5 weekends she's worked. They're both pissed off at each other. Last night (Friday) he insisted she be called and told not to work, it wasn't so busy...
It wasn't, but later on, as the day progressed, after the call was made, it was.
She was surprised. For someone who lamented every second being there - understandably, now she's surprised at this unexpected day off. She's suspicious. Far slower nights we've had her in to pacify the owner, now a night off, she's suspicious of the Axe.
The night, busy, the nephew a poor substitute as Expeditor, requiring, insisting upon no assistance, but the food is carried poorly, single plates at a time, cutlery, pepper & other essentials forgotten.
She's sorely missed. A small contribution, true, but noticeable, the nephew's not an adequate replacement.
***
A table - older people, one of whom, I notice, sports a monocle. I profess my admiration, it's an interesting thing, a cool thing, he wears it well. I want one.
He offers it to me, will take my details, leave it to me in his will. I'm not that patient.
We jest, he's 78, it turns out, a bit of a wag, a sport, sense of humor. It's nice.
***
Saturday, A is in. Not called & told otherwise she's just shown up. Queried about her day off - unexpected - she's bitter. She doesn't see it as the day off she's long pined for, requested, wanted, rather as an outright declaration of war between her and the owner. Which it is, but it's the other things as well.
She's not seeing it that way.
She won't expedite the food, the Nephew can, she'll help out in the dining room.
It's ridiculously busy, late, the evening runs late, by the end we've gone our separate ways, by the end I'm on my own at the local to give best wishes to the manager, Pete, who's leaving, "Good Luck" I invite him to come along as my donkey to Alaska, the other staff - the staff at the restaurant I work in, couldn't be bothered, off to strip clubs and gay bars, they don't particularly care.
***
Now for Sunday, the day off, the week-end. I've not yet told the owner of my departure, don't know quite how to break it, don't think he'll take it well. And I'm uncertain, too, so much to be done, tools to be organized, other projects completed. 2 Weeks of work, 4 weeks until departure. I'll tell him Monday.