Chapter 15 – New Waiter

*** Asahd's POV: Stephan had told no lie when he'd said their days were always busy and complicated. By twelve, the place was filling up. Whenever a table was liberated, another group would walk right in and take it. And on top of that, people would walk right in and line up in front of the counters so they would order, get their parcels and leave. There was another ordering booth at the back for customers who would stop by and order in their cars. The manager could be proud because his restaurant was pure success. It was actually flourishing with customers. No wonder he needed and extra waiter. Problem was, it meant more work for us...for me. I who had been lazy all my life. -- "I said ice tea!" the grumpy man grumbled, rejecting the order I'd brought him. "Sir, you said a soda. I'm not deaf." I retorted. "Ice tea! I said ice tea!" he raised his voice and I was a second away from pouring the drink on his bald head. "Asahd." someone called softly and grabbed my arm. I turned to one of my colleagues, Allison, I think. "I'll take it from here. Go to the other table, they just got in." I took a deep breath. She'd just saved that grumpy man from an ice tea bath and a whole lot of cussing and insults. And she'd helped me not to lose my job, because I was ready not to give a damn about it and teach that man a lesson. "Alright, thanks." I walked away and as I was heading towards the other table, I was stopped by Derrick. "Hey bud, I saw what happened. You're lucky the manager wasn't around to see that. Piece of advice, don't try to argue with the customers." "That man ordered a soda. I'm not deaf, am I?!" I said with wide eyes. Derrick chuckled. "That's Mr. Jameson. He's always grumpy and in a bad mood. It's not the first time. He always makes mistakes when ordering and then blames us for it. I think he isn't completely sane or something." "Tsk! Facts." I rolled my eyes. "We're used to him and so we're not even bothered by his nonsense anymore. Whenever he comes, we ask his order and then confirm it a second time before going to get it. You should do same next time." "Thanks, man." "No prob." He walked away and I went to the next assigned table. I was kind of glad the others were cool with me and actually advised me. It surprised me, how welcoming they were. In their shoes, I would've probably not done same? I could be terrible at times. I would probably try to intimidate or bully the new guy. 'Cuz I'm a dumbass...' I shook my head and focused on the customers seated at the table. "Good afternoon. Welcome to Fries & Spice." I greeted with a smile and they replied "Come up with a decision already?" "Yeah." they replied in a chorus. "Okay. Can I have your orders?" --- I walked about, taking orders and bringing them for three hours straight! Three!!! Some customers gave me headaches while others gave me tips. Miserable tips. Like I was some beggar. Only a few gave me reasonable tips. After bringing one more order to another table, I looked around and realised every other table was being taken care of. Finally. I went to join Jenna and Elsa behind the counter, taking a seat to rest a little. "Tired?" Elsa mused "Exhausted." "Now you know what we go through." Jenna giggled. "You're behind the counter. All you do is take orders from the other waiters and give orders for takeaway to those who line up. We on the other side, walk up and down with trays and notepads. Plus, we clean the tables right after people leave." I stated. "You have a point." they mused in agreement. My head hurt like crazy and I was so tired. I needed sleep. But that was impossible. I had more hours in front of me. "A table just got freed and new customers just walked in." Elsa said to my biggest disappointment. "Here I go again." I stood lazily, grabbing my notepad. The girls laughed as I reluctantly went to welcome the new customers. 'Five minutes! All I needed was five minutes to rest! Just a little!' "Hello and welcome to 'Fries & Spice'. What can I get you?" I asked, forcing a smile. It was an obligation to smile whenever you took orders from customers. My jawbones hurt from the foolish act. The group of people which turned out to be teenage girls about Saïda's age, giggled. It irritated me for some reason I ignored. Oh wait, maybe it was because I was exhausted as hell! "Hello to you too." one of the girls finally replied, "I've never seen you here. You're a newbie, right?" "Yeah. It's my first day." I replied. They looked at each other, smiling knowingly. "You're hella cute." another said. "Thank you." I forced another smile. "Your orders?" I just wanted to sit the fuck down. They gave me their orders and then one of them spoke again. "what's your name?" she asked. "Asahd." "Cute. Guess we'll be coming here even more often because of you, Asahd." Her friends smiled at me. "That'll be great. I'll get your orders." I walked away immediately before another could open her mouth! I got the orders and reluctantly returned to their table, giving them the food. "Here you go." "Thank you Asahd." they replied in a chorus. "I have something for you Asahd, since it's your first day." the one who'd spoken to me first said. I watched her take a five dollar note and wrap it in one of the table tissues before pushing it towards me. "A little tip for your first day." At that moment, a real smile spread on my lips. Five dollars as a tip was way better than all the cents I'd been receiving. "Thanks." I smiled and grabbed the money as well as the tish wrapped around it, "Enjoy your meal." "Thanks." they giggled and I walked away. I joined the others who'd gathered at the counter for a short break because there were no new customers to attend to for the moment. "I see you got a good tip. The smile on your face says it all." Stephan mused as I joined them. "Yup. Five good dollars." I chuckled and they watched me unwrap the tish and take the money out. But I was surprised to find a number written on the tish along with the words: "Call Me ;-)" "Oooh." the others cooed and I laughed a little. "He's a fast learner." Brittany mused. "Fast learner?" I asked, amused. "Yup." Matt replied "If you noticed, we always rush to tables occupied by people of our age, younger or even older, that we believe we can use our charms with." "Charms." Derrick repeated and laughed. "Charms?" I mused. "Yup. You go the customer, show your best smile or flutter your lashes or so. It works most of the time and we get good tips." Allison laughed and gave Elsa a high five. "Oooh so you do a little seducing?" I laughed. "Of course. With the people we believe are a little more accessible. We don't try that nonsense with strict looking, grumpy, very old or frowning customers." Stephan laughed. "It works most of the time. That's one of our secrets into getting new tips." Jenna said. "Now you know." Alex patted my shoulder in amusement, "Okay guys, back to work. A few tables have been emptied."