red wine » carmy berzatto

2: the diner

————— "HI GUYS," ALEXA GREETED THE OTHERS softly as she walked to the lockers with Sydney by her side.

       "Girls hey, how are you?" Marcus asked back, a smile on his face as he watched Sydney. Tina und Richie just glared at them while Ebra and Fak waved at them.

"I'm fine Marcus, how are you doing with the chocolate cake?" Sydney asked him when he lifted a bowl of melted chocolate.

      "Better than I expected, to be honest."

Sydney smiled at Marcus as she walked over to him. She started talking to him in a low voice, so the other chefs couldn't hear them anymore.

While Alexa hung her jacket in the locker and tied her apron around her waist, Carmy stepped out of his office.

     "Good morning, chef."

"Morning Alexa, Can I talk to you for a moment?"

     She closed her locker, "Uh, yeah sure."

She noticed how the others stared curiously in her direction as she entered the office. "Everything okay, chef?"

     "Yeah, yeah, can you close the door for a second?"

Alexa did as he said and stared at him expectantly, while Carmy held the white envelope that she had left on his desk yesterday, "What's that?" he asked her with furrowed brows.

      "Uhm, I wrote it on the envelope."

He stared at the paper in his hands. 'Tips Sep. 21st.  Alexa'
"You made $97 in tips?" he asked her confused.

      "Uh yeah, unless I miscounted."

"No, no it's $97. But what am I supposed to do with it?"

"I thought we were splitting it between all of us? To improve work ethic and motivation, you know?"

Carmy looked at her, flabbergasted, "Uh, yeah, that's actually a great idea. Thank you."

He looked after her as she left the office, a small smile on his face. She had only been here for a day and already gave him more hope than almost anyone else here. Alexa and Sydney are both a blessing for The Beef.

And he was very grateful to Sydney for suggesting Alexa. After all, a dedicated employee in the front presents a good image to the customers. And a change from the usual days where all the chefs liked to argue, loudly, in the front.

A few hours later, Alexa was taking another order, "Okay so two Chicago dogs and one Italian Beef. Would like to add fries for $4?" she asked with a polite smile.

     The girl thought for a moment, "Uh, yes sure, thank you."

"You're welcome. And thank you for your order," she replied and walked over to the next table.

"Welcome at The Beef, Mr. Lang. What can I get you today?" she asked another regular. She met him yesterday and according to Sydney, he's coming in almost every day.

"I'd like this chicken dish again, you know the one I had yesterday. And a beer please."

"Want to make it a double because it's Friday?" she asked with a smirk.

      "Yeah, that's a great idea darling!"

"Sure, coming right up," she told him, while the chefs in the kitchen became louder again. Alexa sighed quietly, why do they always have to argue?

"Can I get hands please?" Carmy called out and waited a couple of seconds. It was quiet for a moment as he rubbed his forehead.

"Fucking hands please!" he called out again after Alexa still didn't show up.