Joe Harrison wasn’t always known as “Angry Joe.” A matter a fact, one who had lived in Blueberry Hill, Pennsylvania could say that he was once a happy man. Of course he always was a bit aggressive, but owning an expensive restaurant could turn anyone into a monster. “Joe’s Eatery” had been his for nearly 30 years, but with it now being 1998 things weren’t as easy as they used to be. Many failed to understand the value of aged wine and beluga caviar. What the 35,000 people of Blueberry Hill did know was that Joe was angry, even for the silliest of reasons. For the past ten years or so, people started calling him “Angry Joe” behind his back. When he found out, he did the only thing that he was better at than cooking: he became angry. Trying to ignore his new name, he continued his work at the restaurant. However, if one of his chefs were to cut an eel into one too many pieces, it would push him off of the edge. Eel wasn’t that common anymore anyways.
For the last ten years, the restaurant had been losing its flair. Joe had been forced to make more mainstream dishes, for he faced going out of business. Even with the greasy meals... the restaurant was not doing well. Many saw Joe as a crazy man. The local children made nursery rhymes about him. Also he was down to only a few tough chefs, including his friend Randolph. Randolph was Joe’s right-hand man, only long-term member, and only friend. He drove Joe crazy because he was one of the few people that would stand up to him, but he was also there for him through all of his life problems throughout the years.
It was a hot September day. Joe unlocked the restaurant doors. It was a strange place to walk into. Most burger joints don’t have chandeliers hanging from above. He walked behind the waiters post and into the kitchen. It was time to do the morning rounds. He checked to make sure the pop machine was filled, that there was enough hamburger and hotdog meat, and that the milk shake machine had enough ice cream to dispense.
After he completed his morning routine, the janitor, a boy named Marshal walked in. He was barley eighteen and always seemed to mess things up. “Hiya chief,” said Marshal casually. “You’re five minutes late” scorned Joe “You know that’s my pet peeve.” “Everything’s your pet peeve Joe! Besides, I’m only late because I swerved into a tree when a dog started to cross the street. What would you have done?” declared Marshal. “I would have hit the damn dog!” raved Joe “Now sweep under the tables! The floors are covered in crumbs!” Marshal groaned but went to the closet to pull out the broom.
At ten all the chefs arrived. Randolph walked over to Joe with news. “We missed the weekly attendance goal again” Randolph announced sadly. There was a ten second pause. “Perhaps we should start selling shrimp as an appetizer again” Joe thought out load. “You know that’s going to help Joe. We can’t keep denying ourselves. I think we need to start delivering” Randolph whispered. “Dear god have you gone crazy!?” Joe yelled “That’s the final step to becoming a fast food restaurant!” “Joe! We ARE a fast food restaurant now. I’m sorry but that’s just the way it is now.” There was another pause. “Let’s just give it a little more time” muttered Joe. “Alright, but we’re really getting to a crisis point” said Randolph with concern. At noon the restaurant opened and everyone started doing their part.
Joe went into his mini office where he kept all his paperwork. One of the waiters walked in and said “Boss, there’s an old man out there who wants to talk to you.” “What’s his name?” “I don’t know sir.” “What does he want from me?” “I don’t know sir.” “Why can’t he have one of you take care of him?” “I don’t know sir, so how about you go out there and ask him.” Joe got out of his chair and grumbled under his breath. He walked up to the old man. “What is it that you want from me?” asked an annoyed Joe. “I am Martin Yeoman. I used to come here 20 years ago. At least I think this is the place...” the old man said. “Nope this is the right place, but it’s not what it used to be. We’ve been declining slowly for the past ten years and now we have to sell disgusting fast food to stay in business” muttered Joe “But it’s nice to see someone who came here all those years ago.” “Well it’s an honor to be meeting you. I really hope things will get better” said the old man with compassion. “Thank you Martin, but it won’t.” “Well it would mean a lot if you could make my favorite dish from all that time ago.” Slowly said Martin. “Yes, I will make whatever you want.” Angry Joe was the kind of guy that didn’t like to bend the rules, but he was a sentimental guy, and would do this for an old customer.
Joe approached Randolph. “I have a special task for you” he declared “I need you to help me make the veal parmesan.” “Joe, you know no one eats that kind of stuff anymore. Why would we want to make a dish of veal parmesan?” Randolph asked. “Wrong! There’s an old customer out there who wants to try it” Joe replied almost with excitement. “My god are you serious?” responded Randolph “I’d love to help you make it! But wait, I’m pretty sure we don’t have bread crumbs anymore. How about you go over to the grocery store and I’ll get the meal started.” “I don’t want to use store bought crumbs!” replied Joe angrily. “We don’t have time for anything better. Just go and get some bread crumbs.” Joe got in his car and drove quickly over to the market. He returned about 30 minutes later just in time to finish the meal. The old man ate the meal slowly... taking the time to taste the noodles, the pasta, the crumbs, the basil, the mozzarella, and some other secret spices. When he finally finished the meal, he said “You still have it. I will forever be grateful for this.”
For once, Joe was happy. He was able to experience briefly how things used to me. However, it just made him miss the old ways even more. All he could think about, to the point of obsession, is how he thought things should be and how he missed them. “My life is over” he thought to himself “maybe I should just retire and become a shut in. This will be my last month.” He got into his car to go to work. He hit a red light. As he sat there waiting, he observed the pedestrians crossing the street.
All of the sudden, he couldn’t believe what he saw. His ex-wife was crossing the street! What was she doing in town? Then what he saw next shocked him even more. She was with her husband. Joe recognized him. He was some jerk who worked at the bank. Joe’s head was spinning. He couldn’t believe they were here. All the sudden he lost control. He put his car in drive, and slammed the gas petal. The car directly hit his ex-wife’s husband, who went flying backwards into a building.
Next thing Joe knew, he was sitting in jail. He didn’t kill his ex-wives husband, but gave him a severe concussion. Joe was sentenced to one year in prison. That was alright though, because his life was over anyways. However, he allowed Randolph to take over the restaurant. It was suggested to him that after he completed his time in prison, he’d move into a retirement home. It all didn’t matter anymore. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about the restaurant anymore, and he could be by himself for the rest of his “short, miserable” life. Throughout his whole time in prison, all Joe did was argued with other prisoners, and sleep. Randolph came to visit him every few weeks or so to update him upon the restaurant. Joe said he didn’t want to hear it, but they both knew that deep down he did. When he was finally released from prison, he went come to pack up his items for a retirement home. However, when he got home his phone rang. “Joe. This is Randolph. I know you’ve retired, but we need you at the restaurant.” Before Joe could argue otherwise, Randolph quickly hung up. Joe went over to the restaurant as he was told.
When he opened the door his mouth dropped open. The restaurant looked just like it did 20 years ago! All the chandeliers were fixed. There was a man playing the old piano, which was polished back to shiny black. All the old foods were being served again. Then he looked straight in front of his. His staff was all standing there with smiles on their faces. “How... how... how did you do it?” Joe asked slowly. Randolph replied happily “Remember that old man Martin? He died!” “How is that good!?” Joe replied. “It meant so much to him that we served him one last time that he left us a fortune! We were able to re-establish Joe’s Eatery into what it used to be! This all happened about two months ago.” Joe didn’t know what to say. “This... this... is amazing.” He said slowly. For the first time in years, Joe smiled. “So what do you say boss? Will you take the kitchen?” asked Randolph. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do more.”
