**SNORE** **SNORE** I take a sip of my coffee as I look at my father sleep in the floor for the hundred time this month, because once again he got so wasted that he couldn't make it to bed, I sigh, if alcohol didn't exist, my life would be so much easier, I hate the day the man discovered alcohol.

**PEEP** **PEEP** "Dad" I call **SNORE** "DAD!" I shout, Dad abruptly sits up "What? Where is the fire?" he asks, agitated "There is no fire, but it's 7:00 am, and Jaime is coming to pick you up any minute now, so get yourself ready for work" I say as I hit the snooze button on my watch, he groans in complain as he lays down "Get up or you are going to be late, remember what Jaime said, he gets late again, because of you, he is not driving you anymore" I say, he sighs "I'm up" he says as he sits back up "Good, I left you a Thermos full of coffee for you and Jaime, also I packed you lunch" I say as I grab my purse "Dad, seriously, get to the bathroom, because today, I do not have time to make sure you do not make Jaime late, so get going" I say "I'll be ready on time, go to work" he says "Good, I love you, see you later" I say as I exit the apartment.

**SIGH** When did I became the parent and he because the son?

"Andrea, you are working the host position today, so get going, we are about to open" Mr. Rodriguez says "Yes, Sir" I answer as I place the apron back into my locker "Also, I need you to work a triple shift, Natasha called in sick, and Johanna has family issues" he says and I sigh "Yes, Sir" I answer as I close my locker and head to the main salon of the restaurant.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER...

"This is unbelievable" I say as I clean the tables, first, I am assigned the host position, because the hosts

Natasha and Johanna

had personal issues, now, after been standing all day, I am forced to clean up and close the restaurant, because the cleaning team had an emergency **SIGH** I need to seriously reconsider the idea of finding another job, I work single, double, and triple shifts for the minimum wage, when almost all the employees decide to be lazy, I have to cover for them, and if were given their pay on that day, well, I would do it, gladly do it, but no, I do not get paid for the extra hours **SIGH** I am getting a new job, with a better pay.

**BELL** "I am sorry, we are closed, please, come back tomorrow" I say as I keep cleaning the tables "If you were closed, the main door would be locked" a male answers "True, but if you notice, there is a sign on the door that says "We are sorry, but we are closed", so please, comeback tomorrow" I say "But I want to eat here" he says "I am sorry, Sir, but there isn't a waiter or waitress, and the chef just left, so there isn't anybody to provide you service, but if you comeback tomorrow, you will find both a chef and waiting service" I say "If I wanted to eat here tomorrow, I would have come tomorrow" he says and I sigh, he is not giving up, is he?

>>"Sir, I can not help you, all I can offer you is a glass of any drink, but food is out of the offer" I say "I want to eat" he says and I sigh, of course, nothing can make my day better than a client who refuses to see the obvious "Sir, please, we are closed, if you do not leave, I will have to call the police" I say "Call the police and I will have you fired by morning, like you are going to be, if you do not provide with service" he says as he sits down "Sir..." "I hope the next thing that comes out of your mouth is "I'll bring you the wine chart", if is not, you are fired" he says and I sigh as I head to Mr. Rodriguez's office.

"We have a problem" I say "What problem?" Mr. Rodriguez asks as he looks at me "A man came in to the restaurant and refuses to leave without getting service" I answer "Did you told him we are closed?" he asks "I am tired of telling him" I answer "Call the police" Mr. Rodriguez orders "He threaten with getting me fired, if I did" I say and he sighs "I'll deal with the unwanted client, you keep doing your job" Mr. Rodriguez says and I nod as I exit his office.

"Mr. Woods, I wasn't expecting you" Mr. Rodriguez says as he walks to the stubborn client, I sigh as I stop cleaning and head to the bar "I was in town and decided to stop for dinner, if it is not much trouble" the stubborn male says as I grab the wine chart and head to his table "Of course not, you are always welcomed here, Andrea..." "Here is our wine chart, please feel free to pick any wine you would like, I will get the menu for you in a moment" I say as I place the wine chart on the table, I walk to the host table and grab a menu.

"My sister is interested in doing her birthday party here, can we make it happen?" the stubborn male asks "Of course, Mr. Woods, just inform me of the date, and I'll make sure everything is in ship shape for Miss Wood's party" Mr. Rodriguez answers "Good" the stubborn male says "Are you ready to order your drink, Sir?" I ask as I place the menu on the table "I am ready to order in general" he answers "May I have you order?" I ask "Honey, ginger, cedar plank salmon with a bottle of Chardonnay" he answers and I nod "I'll be right back with your drink" I say as I head to the kitchen.

Thank God, salmon plank was today's plate of the day, and I have not started to clean the kitchen, so there is food, and the heaters are still on.

I frown as I push the cart to the main salon, where is Mr. Rodriguez? **SIGH** why do I bother to ask myself that question, I already know the answer to it? He left, Mr. Rodriguez must be on his way home now, in the mean time, I am stuck with Mr. Sympathy.

I stop next to the table "Your drink" I say as I serve him a glass of wine and place it on the table "Thank you" the man answers as he reads a document "Your food, Sir" I say as I place a plate before him "Perfect, I am famished" he says as he places the document a side and grabs the fork and knife "Enjoy" I say as I go back to work.

"Why do I get the feeling this happens a lot?" Mr. Stubborn asks as he cuts the salmon and I place the chairs on top of the tables "What happens a lot?" I ask "People taking advantage of you, your amiability, leaving you with all the work" he answers "Am I that obvious?" I ask "A little" he answers and I nod as I clean "I bet you even have a hard time saying no too" he says, okay, enough "The point of this conversation?" I ask "None, I'm trying to make some conversation as I have dinner" he answers "I appreciate the gesture, but I have to work" I say "And I will leave you to it, after we talk business" he says and I look at him.

>>"Business?" I ask as I go back to cleaning "Yes, tell me your work benefits?" he asks "Minimum wage, no bonuses, no sick days, no extra hours, and one free day each week, only free holidays are Christmas and Thanksgiving, we do not get vacations" I answer "Those are your benefits?" he asks "I needed the job, the benefits were the least of my worries" I answer "Okay, what if I offer you a better job and better benefits?" he asks, I drop the cloth on the table "I am all ears" I answer "My grandfather left me his company when he died, but for me to inherit it, I need to be married by the end of next month" he begins to explain "You want me to be that wife" I state and he nods "I am ready to offer you a lot of money for your hand" he adds "Just curious, how much money?" I ask "Millions" he answers and I release a heavy sigh "That's a lot of money" I add "I am kind of asking for something that not everybody would agree to on free will" he says, I nod.