#arald

[endearingly, pt. 2/2]

HALT I am terrified to serve. He looks aggressive and high-maintenance. I try to plan stuff in such a manner that I don’t have to serve him but my boss doesn’t fall for it and leaves it up to me regardless. Turns out, he is really nice, very patient and kind and tips well. 

CROWLEY has “experience in serving” and decides to “help me” by stacking the plates etc. I take them, thank him, and turn around to try and stack them differently on my card so I can work more efficiently. He doesn’t notice. PAULINE does. I think she told Crowley off, because he doesn’t do it during the next course. Still, he’s extremely helpful (genuinely this time), because he tells everyone to hand me the stuff I can’t reach. It really does make everything easier for me. 

Sometimes, PAULINE and SANDRA will come together, usually straight from work. Sandra was there during my first day already, like literally the first day, I hadn’t even been hired yet and my boss introduced me to her as “the new employee”. Big stress but she’s literally the sweetest. It’s very busy one night, so I decide not to prioritise them because at least they won’t yell at me. I apologise constantly for taking so long but they don’t mind, they’re really kind and I get them some extra drinks. Sandra once crocheted me a heart keychain. Pauline talks with me about European politics.   

ARALD has trouble picking a topping for his icecream dessert. Finally, he picks one. I put the order in and charge him for the one topping. I ask my boss to give him the other topping as well. When I serve him his dessert, he looks like the happiest man in the world. 

BERRIGAN and FARRELL come together occasionally. They don’t interact much with me - obviously this is just their standard night out with good food and good company. They gossip and have lots of fun without disturbing other guests. 

PRITCHARD is also a regular. He’s old, though, not very mobile anymore and very forgetful. He knows me and remembers me but is constantly surprised I can “anticipate” his order (he orders the same thing each week). We have the exact same conversation each week, but it’s okay because he’s also always equally excited. When I serve him his second drink and go get his food, he raises his glass at me and tells me he’ll “toasts to [me]”. When I went out at the restaurant with own family, I went to say hi to him. He didn’t remember me. I haven’t seen him in a few weeks and just hope he’s okay. 

Halt: