by waiter | Oct 20, 2005 | Uncategorized
It’s Sunday and I’m late for work. Pulling on my tie I race into the Bistro. “You’re late,” Fluvio says, not looking up from the reservation terminal. “Sorry,” I reply. “I’m taking my wife out to dinner so I’m leaving.” “How many we got on for tonight?” Fluvio tells...
by waiter | Oct 19, 2005 | Uncategorized
“Man I’m having a rough week,” Celine says. “What’s happening?” I reply. “You know how I get when it rains,” she says sadly. Celine, one of our part time hostesses, has an incredible phobia about driving when it rains. Over the past year the problem has become worse....
by waiter | Oct 17, 2005 | Uncategorized
“Jesus Arlene,” I say, “You’re getting bigger by the second.” Arlene is eight and a half month pregnant. Still waiting tables, she looks like she’s about to pop. “I swear I’m bigger than I was yesterday,” she moans. “Any day now,” I say. “My due date’s November...
by waiter | Oct 16, 2005 | Uncategorized
“So whaddya got for us tonight Poppy?” I ask Ernesto, our sous chef. Ernesto unenthusiastically produces a list of the night’s specials from his back pocket. Telling me the specials is just a formality. After five years I can predict the entire lineup. “And, finally,...
by waiter | Oct 10, 2005 | Uncategorized
It’s a rainy Saturday night and the Bistro’s jammin’ We don’t have a free table until 9:30. But that doesn’t stop prospective customers angling for a seat. Angelina, out Sicilian spitfire hostess, keeps the yuppies hordes at bay with a firm hand, a lovely smile, and a...
by waiter | Oct 8, 2005 | Uncategorized
“So you gonna vote tomorrow?” Saroya asks me. “Yes,” I reply, looking over my copy of the Times. I’m reading about the riots in France. Did they run out of cheese? “Who you gonna vote for?” Saroya says. “It’s a secret ballot dear.” “C’mon,” Saroya says, “Tell me.”...
by waiter | Oct 8, 2005 | Uncategorized
The door chimes. I look up. In walks the fattest man I’ve ever seen. “Holy shit!” I whisper, “Its Mr. Creosote!” Creosote lumbers down the aisle and plants himself on a dainty chair. I feel bad for that chair. “Oh my God,” Monique whispers back, “He’s huge.” “Better...
by waiter | Oct 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
Beth and I are sitting outside waiting for our shift to start. Claude, our local homeless guy, shuffles past us. “Hi Claude,” Beth says cheerily. Claude makes no indication that he hears her. “How ya doing Claude?” I ask. He usually responds to me. Claude ignores me...
by waiter | Sep 27, 2005 | Uncategorized
I’m waiting in line at the bank to deposit my paycheck. Normally I handle my finances online but, since the Bistro doesn’t offer direct deposit, I have to make this trip at least once a week. As usual there’s only one teller working the floor. The line inches forward...
by waiter | Sep 23, 2005 | Uncategorized
The night’s over. I limp out of the Bistro and start walking towards my car. It was a brutal shift. I must’ve served over fifty people. My feet ache and my right knee hurts whenever I put pressure on it. Maybe I need new shoes. Maybe I need a new job. Maybe I’m just...
