Being human

A few regular customers were still slouching over their lunch when the clock struck four and the ‘busy’ hours approached. It really wasn’t that busy, but they did have more customers in the evening, and passed five or six somewhere near half of the restaurant’s seats would be occupied. Compared to other restaurants the same size, it really wasn’t much of a rush, but it was quite a deal for a shady place as The Lunar. And if one only compared it to other restaurants in the Southern District, it really was the best restaurant around.

Until recently, there was never more than one servant working at a time. People just had to shout their complaints and wait, which in all fairness was only to be expected from such a cheap place. But there had been an increase in business lately, and Ian’s boss had actually hired another waiter. He was even willing to pay Ian to work the same hours, to teach this new waiter the what’s and where’s of the little restaurant, instead of just letting her figure it out herself.

And as such, he ignored a drunken growl from that one guy in the corner, to leave for the back entrance and welcome his new co-worker. He knew what that corner guy wanted anyway. He always bought a soup and two beers, only to ignore the soup completely and order another beer.

He walked through the dimly lit dining area, with it’s tattered tablecloths and withered tapestry, before making his way pass pots and pans in the messy kitchen, where he made a notice of the big pile of dishes he’d probably have to take care of later. The cook was smoking a cigarette, sitting on a stool while stirring lazily in something Ian really couldn’t tell what looked like. Regardless, he added an optimistic “smells delicious!” to the cook, before finally reaching the back entrance.

He opened the door and stepped out. “Kassia Summers?” A friendly smile was spread across his features as a hand reached out to greet her.

Ian recognised the black and red colour palette from his own uniform, even though his were less revealing. By far. He wondered if the boss had chosen this particular outfit for the costumers' pleasure, or his own. It sure wasn't for Kessia's pleasure, as she seemed to struggle with the skirt quite a bit.

He only nodded and didn't get to even open his mouth, before she loaded him with another question. She sure talked a lot. And with a difficult dialect as well, which left Ian equally baffled and amazed. Eventually he just grinned a little, as the moved to the drinks area were he pulled out some glasses from a cupboard.

"I'm Ian Moore. I've not been here very long either, but I am your mentor I suppose. Only for tonight though. Officially. But you're more than welcome to ask me anything, anytime." He smiled and gave her two of the glasses, while leading her to the beer taps.

"Right, you can start here. Fill them to roughly two inches below the glass edge. Not less, or we'll get complaints, but if you do too much more, Boss will start pulling it out of your paycheck. Trust me, I've tried." He grinned again and let her have a go.