Sarah stacked the bills neatly atop the desk before calling her employees.
“Hello. Yes. We’re allowed to open tomorrow. No. I’ll get everything ready. Just come in tomorrow.”
A dozen of the same calls later, she made her way to the dining room
Oh the memories.
She worked through the night. With every place setting perfect except the lack of guest, she made to leave.
All was done, save one final deed. One switch wired just so by the back door. She flipped it on her way out.
Tears streamed down her face as her dreams went up in flames.
WC: 100
Howdy all! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday evening (or whenever you’re reading this) and that you are well and safe. I’ve figured out a spot to get a somewhat workable cell signal here in the house, so I’m pretty happy about that!
This week’s photo (thanks Dale) took me back to my time working in restuarants during high school and college and made me think a little about just how rough a business the restuarant world can be. Though I had some great times working in them, the margin of error is small. Just look at all the places that don’t make it. One bad review and… Well, you get the idea.
#FridayFictioneers is a weekly blog link up hosted by Rochelle over at RochelleWisoff.com, where our gracious host challenges us to fathom a story based on that weeks photo prompt in just 100 words. Thanks Rochelle! You should totally check it out and perhaps try your hand at your very own 100 word story!
Coffee Beans & Writer/Runner Dreams 
Hey Russell… Guess she fell in that percentage that didn’t make it. It really is a tough business. I am looking to get the hell out of it!
(and you’re welcome 😉 )
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Thanks Dale! I can’t blame you for getting out, though I did have lots of fun working those jobs and often miss the restuarant environment/vibe. But you’re right, Sarah definitely fell into the not going to make it percentage.
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I have/had a blast myself. But honestly, my body is no longer a fan.
Poor Sarah…
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Dear Russell,
Hope the insurance company doesn’t find evidence to incriminate her. I concur with Dale, I was raised in restaurant business and saw my dad go through hell. I couldn’t wait to get away from it. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle! I’m hoping she gets away with it too, and can move on with her life. Hopefully with a little less stress going forward.
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Desperate ploys in desperate times
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Thanks Neil! You know what they say, “desparate times call for desparate measures.”
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I can see this happening. They’re guessing about 1 in 5 small service businesses here will not reopen after this 😦
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I haven’t heard any hard numbers but I’m suspecting that lots of places will go away. It’s super sad to think about.
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Nice surprise–one wonders most about her motives. Assuming this is now, “opening” might mean 25% capacity (assuming they come)and it would be tough to impossible to make ends meet at that rate and uncertain, whether the market would bear higher prices. Clearly not an easy decision for her to make, given her love for the place. You made me feel sympathy for her desire to cut her losses, though of course I do not condone the insurance fraud that I assume she plans to perpetrate.
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I think you nailed it! And yes, I think she’s looking for that insurance check to help her get on down the road. Maybe open a new place, who knows?
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I enjoyed your oblique take on the prompt. I don’t think the insurance company will wear it, though! In a way I’m almost surprised the business failed, since she’s obviously good at planning ahead and thorough – the phone calls to the employees show that detail. Evidence for the insurers that she was planning to open rather than burn the place down!
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Thanks Penny! She has to put on a show for the insurance company or they’ll never be fooled. Of course, they may not be fooled in any case.
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Oh, sad take on the photo prompt. Hope she gets the payout.
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Thanks Susan! That payout probably depends on the insurance company’s investigator.
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Heart breaking. I hope there is a new dream around the corner.
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There’s always a new dream. It’ll be hard to chase if she ends up in jail though.
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Aww.. somewhere in this world there’s a Sarah thinking of doing the same thing.
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Unfortunately, I think you’re right. Probably more than one.
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Tragic, and completely possible. I believe we’ll see many empty eateries. The chains will be okay, but the private places where the food is outstanding? Not so much.
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That was my thought as well. 😒
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The food service and entertainment establishments and their workers have borne the heaviest load with the virus (aside from the healthcare workers.) I feel bad for her and even worse for the workers who were counting on being back to work 😦
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Yeah, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in feeling sorry for ourselves because we can’t go out to eat and forget about the ones depending on us going out to eat. It’s bad all the way around.
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I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to work hoping to find it burned down. It never happened.
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So, I take it you love your job, lol.
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Now that I’ve given everything up to be a writer, I do. Before, not so much.
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Funny how that works…
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It is tough for restaurants. The employees are out of work now that’s for sure, maybe if she gets an insurance payout she can use it to help them in some way.
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That’s a benevolent view for sure Michael. I’m not sure she is thinking of them right now though.
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A unique take on the prompt. That took me by suprise, but I guess there may be more than a few in a similar situation.
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Thanks Sandra!
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Years ago, we were in a dinner club that met often at a small restaurant in the owners home. She was a terrific cook and could make your taste buds water just thinking of a meal there. Nice story and sad too.
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Thanks Nan! That dinner club sounds like fun.
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It is so sad that some of our favorite places to go where we got to know the owners and employees might not be there when this is over.
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