Living However the Fuck (5)
I stared at the woman for a moment. Work at the inn?
"Are you here looking for a job, by any chance?"
"That's right. I'd love to work as a waitress..."
"Come on in for now."
The other staff glanced over, wondering what was going on. I waved them off, telling them to get back to work. The woman and I sat across from each other at a quiet table in the corner of the hall.
She seemed distracted, her eyes scanning the hall.
"Oh, that's a troll skull... It really suits the inn's name."
"Impressive. Most folks can't even tell what monster a bone came from just by looking."
"Oh? Is that so?"
She nodded like it was no big deal.
"Anyway... We do have an opening for a waitress right now. Have you done anything like this before? Restaurant or inn work?"
"I can do it well."
"Pardon...?"
Before I could react, Francois approached with a tray and set down glasses of chilled sangria in front of us.
The woman picked up her glass and held it to eye level.
"What's this? Wine?"
Francois smiled elegantly and greeted her. "Hello. That's sangria. Wine made cool and sweet."
The woman took a cautious sip and let out a short scream.
"It's so good!"
Marim, passing by on the upper balcony, leaned over in surprise.
The woman slurped it down like it was her first time, smacking her lips with delight.
"Ma'am. So, do you have experience or not?"
"Just try me. I'm confident I can do great."
I was at a loss for words and glanced at Della, who was peeking from across the hall. She shrugged like she had no idea.
Pelle, next to her, stood with arms crossed, expressionless, just shaking her head slightly.
The decision was mine anyway, but the staff's opinions mattered since they'd be working with her...
"Um... ma'am. If you could give me your name and where you live, we'll discuss it among ourselves and get back to you."
"My name? What do you want to call me?"
"Pardon?!"
"Like, Piana? How about Piana?"
"What... Never mind. And where do you live?"
"Nowhere... Can I just wait here?"
I had no energy left to deal with her, so I said okay and stood up.
The watching staff followed me into the kitchen.
"What do you all think?"
"She seems a bit off in the head."
Marim answered bluntly, and I agreed.
Idi wasn't sure, and Della said it felt a bit cold to turn her away after she came all this way.
"What about you, head chef?"
"Well... As long as she works well, I don't care."
"But she can't treat customers with that bulldozing attitude."
"If it's that bad, we could assign her to cleaning. She doesn't seem like a bad person."
Pelle hadn't spoken yet. Leaning against the wall with arms crossed, she looked burdened as eyes turned to her.
"Do we really need another waitress right now?"
"I've been thinking we could use one more."
"I see. Then hire her on a daily wage for a few days. If she doesn't work out, fire her. If she does, keep her. At least she came on her own—she'll want to prove herself."
Pelle's suggestion made sense. Marim chimed in cautiously.
"What if... she's here to steal something?"
"That's funny coming from you."
"Hey, come on... Haha..."
Marim scratched her head awkwardly. Idi patted her head, calling her silly.
I left the kitchen and approached Piana, who was waiting alone.
She set down her sangria and looked at me.
"Piana. How about working a week on basic daily pay? Honestly, I have no way to know how skilled you are..."
"Got it! Can I start right now?"
She jumped up brightly before I finished. I worried I might never get used to this Piana woman.
"Uh... sure. Let's start with cleaning?"
I called Della, who was peeking from the kitchen.
"Della. Help Piana. She's new, so she'll have lots of questions."
"Yes, sir. This way, Piana."
Della was the kindest and most approachable, perfect for training newbies. Marim would've gotten frustrated and bolted; Idi would've been led around like a fool. Francois was the chef, different role entirely. And Pelle... don't even.
Della took Piana upstairs. Perfect timing since rooms needed cleaning anyway.
Having accidentally hired someone, I went back to wiping tables like before Piana arrived.
Marim popped out and trotted over.
"Boss. Is this really okay? Why do I feel so uneasy?"
"Worried she'll steal like you?"
"Ugh, why bring that up? I've gone straight now..."
"Kyaaah!"
Della's scream from upstairs made Marim blink to the balcony railing.
"Eek! What the hell?!"
Marim dashed into the room. The rest of us rushed up the stairs.
"Gasp..."
I couldn't speak upon entering. The room was flooded, Piana standing by the tub staring at us. Pillows and blankets were stuffed in the tub, overflowing water everywhere.
"Della. What happened?"
"I told her to tidy the linens, and Piana suddenly..."
"Isn't this how you wash them?"
Piana looked baffled, like she saw no issue. Of course washing needed water... but why cram it all in the tub?
"We... don't wash them daily. We'll handle this. Della, show her around the inn facilities first."
"O-okay..."
Della, still shaken, led a trembling-voiced Piana out.
"Boss. See? Told you she's weird," Marim whispered. Idi, pulling blankets from the tub, looked worried.
"What if she breaks all the dishes... or knocks over a candle and starts a fire...?"
"We'll guide her closely. It's just a week trial—don't show it."
I hauled the whole tub downstairs.
"Mommy! Piana! Don't touch that or the firewood collapses!"
"Eek... Back up, Della!"
More screams from outside. I sighed, set the tub down, and ran to the kitchen back door.
I restacked the collapsed firewood, wrung out the blankets, hung them on the line, and weeded with a sickle while at it. Evening was nearing.
Francois hummed in the kitchen, prepping dinner. Delivery bags were packed with preservation ritual-sealed food.
Marim slung a bag her size effortlessly, waved cheerfully, and vanished.
In the hall, Idi, Pelle, Della, and Piana bustled guiding guests.
Orders flew as soon as guests sat. Della couldn't keep up with Piana, running everywhere.
Piana stood watching Della, then confidently took an order at a table, scribbling furiously before dashing to the kitchen, tearing it off for Francois, and grabbing another.
Whatever else, Piana was fast and enthusiastic. She quickly passed four tables' orders.
Francois cooked in sequence, plating them up. Piana just needed to serve.
Problem: She forgot which table ordered what.
She wandered holding plates, lost. I had to step in.
I circled the hall yelling, "Sole Meunière table?!"
Piana tripped following me, shattering a plate. Onion soup splattered everywhere.
"Oh no! What do I do?!"
Piana flailed apologies to soup-soaked guests. Della and Idi wiped with clean rags, apologizing too.
I grabbed a mop for shards and soup, bowing nonstop.
"It's okay, Piana. Everyone messes up at first."
Francois arrived with fresh soup, consoling her. Piana took it teary-eyed to the table.
We barely survived dinner. I told Piana to avoid the hall and help Francois clean the kitchen.
A few more plates broke, of course.
"Sorry!"
A headache hit; I headed to the backyard to cool off. Overlooking the Buren River, it soothed the mind.
Passing the front yard, Kali wagged and followed.
Hot days sapped Kali's energy till evening.
I dragged an old unused chair to the back and sat. Kali hopped up, curling on my lap.
"Hot, you mutt."
I scratched his back with clawing fingers. His thick, soft fur felt great yielding under my nails.
The kitchen back door opened; Piana emerged, spotting me and approaching.
"Piana."
"Bertrand."
Kali stretched his neck, sniffing. Piana petted his head.
"How was your first day? Manageable?"
"Inn work isn't for just anyone."
"Nothing easy in this world. Keep learning... Huh?!"
A waitress... using banmal?!