It's over, the week from hell. Slippery walks to the bus stop at 9:00 AM, work at 10:00, the theoretical break after lunch eroded, dissolved entirely by the dozens of people on early Christmas break, extended office parties that last into the evening.
1st thing is get the ice. Set up the butters. Replace candles, fill sugar bowls, check pepper mill. Set up dining room for large lunch parties. Fold napkins. Service. Reset dining room, by which time it's usually 3:30, if not later.
I try to get a nap in in the basement. Upstairs the owners son is pounding the veal, muffled conversations about Jesus, there's the sound of polishing cutlery, the phone ringing....
Up at 4:30 and repeat. Finish at 11:30 or 12:00, catch bus home, repeat.
Next week the same, but a shorter week, only until Thursday. Tomorrow off. But the week from hell is over....