There's little else more thrilling for me than to sit and interview exotic dancers.
Despite word getting out about the previous events, the line stretched toward the back.
Unexpectedly and happily, the people loved the rumors, the story they heard.
They passed by, saw the bar, all the new things going on and they spread the word.
They saw the ads in the local papers.
And for a moment it seemed the whole city came out to greet me.
I called home for 2 of my former guards to man the door.
But they were given strict instructions.
"Do not lay a hand on my patrons without my permission.
Do remember that despite not being king yet, my power seemingly is without limit.
And up here is far brighter, more livelier and lovelier than down there.
Clear?"
And off we were!
"Send in the first one."
A chubby one!
Now, I never would've expected she to be the first one!
A had in mind a slim cherry blonde.
But I came to like her.
She is a cheerful person.
The type who doesn't know or care that the world thinks she doesn't belong here.
I absolutely love a person like her!
Because, you know what, this type will inherit the earth.
Therefore I asked her what job are you here for.
Exotic dancer, bartender, waiter?
Which would you prefer?
And in her cute, cheerful, childish, special way she said whatever you prefer.
And I thought "Awww."
As I thought about where to place her, I knew where not to place her.
She would not be on a pole shaking her ass and having lonely men pet her.
I asked how's your cooking?
Do you have a special dish you're good at.
She said her cooking is the best. "I promise you that."
I sat there looking at her, through and through and did not see any dishonesty.
For the second or third time in my life I saw a real angel in front of me.
I said come with me.
And went up to the third floor to my kitchen.
Fully stocked.
Earlier in the day I had gotten a grocery delivery.
I told her I'll head back downstairs, "Surprise me."
It's very very hard to be better than that.
By that I mean, that candidate.
Still, I signaled my guards to send in the next one.
And she was a cherry blonde.
A résumé in hand and full of confidence.
You would believe she already had the job.
She's danced a lot, in many places.
Freelanced.
Her arrogance filled the air.
Fragrant, but not in a good way.
This was not an inheritor of the earth.
No angel resided in her.
I took her résumé and said I'd give her some thought.
However, my only thought was "only angels today."
I wanted the people that all others shooed away.
I wanted the ones who are worth far more than the diamonds I had given away.
And one of them was up in my kitchen.
And the aromas were circulating.
Sniff sniff. Hahahaha.
But "Send in the next one."
A Latino of 21.
"How old are you?"
He said I'll be 22 in 6 months.
"What job are you here for?"
He stated he was in college and came for a part time dishwasher position, so he can help his mom.
"What are you studying in college?"
"Finance."
"And you plan to use it for?"
"To get a good job and help my family."
I said wait here a minute.
I went to the safe and got "the books."
Take your time, look 'em over and tell me what you think.
5 minutes or so, he said it needs to be better organized, compartmentalized.
"This should be here, that should be there."
I said alright, that's your new job.
You're in charge of the books, the finance.
"What do you think, do you accept?"
He said what are you paying!
"Well done.
I'd expect a finance guy to ask that question.
Here's a pen and paper.
Write down what you think you're worth and I'll counter.
He handed me back the paper.
Written on it, $3000 a month.
I countered with 6. $6000.
"A life lesson.
Don't ever forget it.
Understand? You dig?"
"Yes."
You start right away.
Let me know whether you need anything and I'll get it.
I'll be right back.
I hear the kitchen calling.
Pork and beans from a can.
Stir fried with potatoes and ham.
Rice cooked in chicken stock.
Bell peppers, onions and cucumber salad.
Only time I remember eating something as simple and delicious like that was just before my aunt's water broke.
I remember the poor woman being in labor and on the floor and me saying wait, I'm not leaving unless this food is coming with me to the hospital.😂
Yes, I know. That was terrible!
Wasn't my fault though. She shouldn't have cooked so good.
I had 2 servings before I went back down.
And I told her that's your new position, my personal chef.
It's yours if you want it.
And it comes with unbelievable benefits.
Take some time and think on it.
Later, we'll talk more about it.
The final interview of the day, surprisingly, was the waitress who used to work there.
She was among the people who, that night, ran out of there.
I surely thought I'd never see her again.
Like many she heard of the new management.
No doubt she spoke with the former owner and was told it was me.
But the buzz was going around, excitement was in the air, people were talking about the new place.
She couldn't help but come and take a look see.
For this I was very pleased.
I needed a veteran, someone who knew their way around.
Who could manage especially the bar when I was not around.
I told her name your price.
How much?
She said no.
That she came by to let me know she knew who I was.
I said who am I.
She confessed she wasn't completely sure what but "You're a monster, not human, not one of us."
I said you're mistaken, you're wrong, though not completely.
When you go back out there, go back to your life, about your everyday routines, look closely, although you'll never have to look very hard,
look and really see the monster is your humanity.
It's the 5 men who cornered and gang-raped you when you were 22.
It's that father of yours, who, when you were only 10, began to sexually abuse you.
It's that mother of yours who turned a blind eye to you.
To your pain, your suffering and all the thoughts you had of putting an end to you.
The thoughts of loss of self worth and suicide.
You almost went through with it but it was a "monster" from my lineage, my side who quelled the pain and helped you stay the blade.
I have never nor will I ever be your monster.
Only your savior.
That's why I requested you to be my waiter.
I was happy to see you grew stronger.
She had this picture of you two,
you and auntie Vera.
Take it.
And when you're ready to come to me I'll be here.
The day's interviews ended.
Tomorrow would be another day.
