The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Trapped

The waitress unceremoniously placed the cup of brewed coffee on Ari's table, along with mismatched containers of sugar and cream.

" Do you need anything else? " The waitress, who was probably in her early thirties, asked in a bored tone.

Ari shook her head and smiled at her." No, thank you. "

The waitress nodded curtly and walked away.

" Such poor service in this place, " a woman who was probably in her forties and sitting by herself at the table across Ari suddenly remaked. " That waitress has been so rude the entire afternoon. You should speak to her manager. "

" It's alright, " Ari replied lightly. " She got my order right. That's the important thing. "

" Well, that's her job. It's expected that she does it right, " the woman pointed out. " But the attidude is uncalled for! "

Ari raised an eyebrow and then politely asked. " May I know where you're working, ma'am? "

The older woman straightened her shoulders and slightly lifted her chin as she responded in a proud voice, " I work for an international bank. "

Ari nodded and smiled at her, " Then you must be paid well. "

" I am, " the woman said smugly. " Been in this company for almost a decade. "

" But did you get any kind of pay cut during the global recession five years ago? " Ari wanted to know.

The question seemed to catch the woman in surprise. She frowned at Ari and shrugged. " Everyone did. Not just us. "

" Considering that you're still with the company, I assumed that you managed to cope? " Ari pressed as she eyed the woman quizzically.

" I did but not without struggles. We had pay cuts and we all felt demotivated, " the woman said and then she furrowed her eyebrows together. " Wait a minute, why are you asking these? "

Ari took her coffee with both hands and took a sip before speaking. " This cafe has been here probably the same time as the University opened. And it has thrived for a long time. But with more modern cafes and restaurants popping out everywhere, customers have more options now. "

She paused and then looked at the old woman squarely. " This cafe is struggling and because it is, the staff has taken pay cuts. And that rude waitress was just informed about it this morning. And she's a single mom with three kids. "

The old woman's eyes widened and Ari could see from where she was seated that her cheeks were flaming. The people in the nearby table who heard their exchange started whispering while giving the older woman odd looks.

Ari watched as she squirmed in her seat and quickly took out several bills from her wallet and placed it on the table. Without meeting Ari's eyes, she made a beeline to the door.

" Thanks for that, Ari, " a shadow fell over her table and when she looked up, she saw the same waitress, shaking her head in amusement. " Served her right for being so condescending. But I do not have three kids. "

Ari chuckled as she sipped from her cup. " Three kids sound more convincing than one, Carol. "

" She did give me a good tip, " she waved several bills in the air before stuffing it inside her apron's pocket.

" And that's her saving grace, " Ari remarked.

Carol shook her head at her and then glanced at the other waitress who was clearing the table beside Ari's.

" I'll take my 20 minute break now, Dana, " she told the junior staff. " Can you and Arielle cover for me? "

Dana nodded her head at her supervisor. " No problem, Carol. "