Page 160 - Musings 2021

Shambu: Now you know how the young couple felt the other day after you left a slime of that
detergent on the serving plates. Hopefully, their bowels didn’t melt away. But I’m sure
they’re definitely not coming back.

(Sridhar, the chief chef, was a jolly fellow. He had been spectating the junior chefs decide the
special after he instructed them the last day. Of course, he was gonna make the decision
anyway but this was his form of ‘grooming’ budding chefs.)
Sridhar: I have decided. Tonight’s special is lemon rice with pepper rasam. This is a personal
favorite and it is going to rock.

Ramu: (in a dejected tone) But sir, I thought it was my day to pick the special?

Shambhu: (rolls his eyes and slouches his shoulders as he moves towards his station) Ok
boss.

Sridhar: Ah yes, bring me those lemons we got yesterday. Ramu, you can take the lead on this
one, if it makes you happy.

Ramu: (in a slightly encouraged tone) Alright!
(Vivek walks back into the kitchen rubbing his eyes and he runs into Shambu who couldn’t
see what was ahead of him as he was carrying a carton of lemons. This sends the lemons
flying around the kitchen and it upsets both Ramu and Sridhar.)

Sridhar: Oh God!! How incompetent are these two!

Ramu: Splendid work. You got yourself more to clean up, Vivek.

Vivek: (still rubbing his eyes with a smirk) what else is new?

Ramu: (angrily) what’s with that tone, young man?

Shambhu: (on all fours) Gosh!! They are scattered everywhere.

Sridhar: (shaking his head) this is what happens when I leave you two in charge for an hour.

The service boy, Srini, walks in amidst the ongoing disaster. For a moment he is stunned by
the utter chaos on display but collects himself and continues.

Srini: (nervously) Ummm, the uh first customer is here. They seem to be in the mood for the
special. What do I tell them?

Sridhar: That’s it. I’m taking over. Srini, tell them a plate of steaming Lemon rice with pepper
rasam is on the way. Ramu, get to work on the Rasam. Shambhu, pick up 5 lemons and prep
them. And Vivek, please get the rice cooker cleaned. Finish the plates later.

Ramu: (back to his dejected tone) Ok.

Shambhu: (like he knew this would eventually happen) on it Boss.

Vivek: The tawa? It’ll be done in a jiffy.

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