Given the fact that they’d used almost all the meat they’d cut, Henry Lee should have come in earlier. But he was not in yet. Bill thought, they all thought, they’d have plenty extra, but the extreme busyness of the Friday night proved them wrong. Tommy had already gotten the call from the West side saying they needed meat, a lot of it, and they needed it early.
As soon as he was changed, Bill went into the meat room. First thing, he took out and unwrapped two fresh ribs. These he put on a tray and carried up to Mary. He found Mary mixing and stirring the au jus. Next to the au jus was a pot of Bordelaise sauce. Next to that was the soup of the day, a simple chicken noodle soup.
“Potatoes still need to be washed,” said Mary. “And I need to make rice pudding. I also need to start the rice.”
Together, Bill helped Mary put the ribs into a roasting pan. He took a moment at her cutting board to cut the mirepoix. Once that was cut he covered the ribs with it. While he’d been cutting it Mary rubbed ribs with salt and pepper. Then, each one holding one handle on the roasting pan, they slid the pan into an empty oven.
After Mary had shut the oven door, she tied a towel around the handle. While she was tying it she looked at Bill as if to say “Remember the time, stupid, that you burned up the rib?” What she might have said, what she might have asked, if she were talking about it, was how much more in his life he planned on losing because of substance abuse and pussy. But at this particular point in the day, conversation, except for business talk, was pretty much sidelined. The only thing on the agenda was work.
“If Henry Lee had gotten here on time,” said Bill, “I’d be able to help you with the things you need to do. But as it is, I’m heading back into the meat room to start cutting steaks.”
“What are you cutting first?” Mary asked.
“Tops and Supers. We sell the most of them. By the time I get those cut, Mr. sleepyhead should be in.”
“Maybe he getting lucky,” said Mary. “I wouldn’t mind getting lucky myself.”
“You never know how that luck thing works,” said Bill. “Might be time for a quickie.”
“Might not too,” said Mary. “You’re right about that. You never know how that luck thing works.”
Bill stopped at the coffee urns again and took himself another coffee which he carried down to the meat room. Before he actually started cutting meat, he opened the bourbon drawer and retrieved the bottle. He took a drink for himself, then he poured some bourbon into his coffee cup. He’d just gotten the bottle back into the drawer when Tommy appeared in the doorway.
“Henry Lee said he’ll be in in a bit,” said Tommy.
“No problem,” said Bill. “I’m about to start cutting top butts and will get as much done as I can as quickly as I can. Would’ve been better if I could’ve been upstairs to help Mary, but it is what it is.”
“You gonna stay sober today?” Tommy asked.
“Maybe. Maybe not. Can’t quite see the day yet. But you don’t gotta worry. I’ll make sure I can do my job.”
“All the girls are working,” said Tommy. “My guess is that we set another record today. Someone will be by from the West side in about an hour and a half to pick up whatever meat is ready.”
“Well then,” said Bill, “I’d better get to work.”
