The end of day two was like the end of day one, drinks in the chef’s office, Jimmy Banquet Chef sitting comfortably behind the executive chefs desk, his big chef’s hat sitting prominently on the desk. Jimmy G and Victor sat in the two matching armchairs facing the desk. Bill stood.
The three Greeks spoke among themselves in their native language. They conversed, they laughed, they drank. Bill sipped at his beer but he did not drink any hard liquor.
“So,” the banquet chef said, “you handled about all they can throw at you tonight and you did it as if it were nothing.”
“It is nothing,” Bill said. “No disrespect, but that’s a slow night in the place I come from.”
“Ya,” Jimmy G said. “See. Bet you ten dollars Caesar tells the chef he was horrible.”
“He would too,” Victor said. “But I went by personally and watched him work. And Kalista says the girls told her he was great.”
Jimmy G said, “They’re very happy to have a regular cook. Me too. Now I can go back to sleeping.”
All the Greeks laughed. Bill was happy. He was glad he handled everything, more glad it was relatively easy. He was pleased that it seemed as if he were fitting in, and he knew his capabilities and his fitting in with the Greek Mafia meant Caesar would not be much of a problem overall. In the big picture, he knew Caesar would find a way to make peace. He’d do it in a way so as to save face, which was okay with Bill because all he wanted was a place to work, a place where he could feel comfortable and make money, the more money the better.
Bill did not know it yet. Bill could have no way of knowing, of seeing into his future. Making money, putting money in the bank, meant security. Bill never wanted to have to borrow again. Most especially he never wanted to ask someone for a loan (like his father-in-law) and be turned down. So making money and having savings would always be a thing for him, and more of a thing as he got older.
“All day tomorrow for you,” Jimmy Banquet Chef said. “The luncheon goes off at 1:00. I need you here at 10:00.”
“No problem,” Bill said.
“I’m going to teach you how to run that big rotary oven. The meal is easy. Roast tenderloin, scalloped potatoes and broccoli. I want you to see everything, all stations and all prep. Then I want you carving the meat at the dish-up.”
“Fine with me,” Bill said.
“Then Thursday you’re in at 6:00. That breakfast goes off at 9:00.”
“You can rest in between,” Jimmy G said, “on the clock.”
“Don’t teach him bad things,” Jimmy Banquet Chef said. “I’ll have other work for him too. The chef wants to see him work. Tomorrow and Thursday will be good.”
“After that, won’t matter what Caesar says,” Victor said.
“Doesn’t matter now,” Jimmy Banquet Chef said. “He’s a keeper unless he screws up big time, you know, by stepping out of line.”
“Stay away from those girls for the first three months,” Jimmy G said. “Especially Millie. Rosie I can talk to. And I will. But Millie, I’ve never seen her like this. She’s a wild card.”
“I hear everyone talking about Millie,” Bill said. “Anyone want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Apparently she’s quite taken by you,” said Victor. “Apparently she’s been telling everyone that she thinks you’re quite special.”
“Well,” Bill said, “I can’t control her, but I can keep away from her.”
“For ninety days,” Jimmy Banquet Chef said. “Just for ninety days.”
