“Shut up man!!”
there was a shout from nearby. Marry rounded a corner getting close
to the diner and saw between two buildings two men had cornered
another. One of them had him up off the ground while another was
taking things out of his pocket.
“Give us all you
got man. We know you’re loaded” The other shouted as he continued
to go through the mans pockets. Taking out his phone and wallet and
then moving to taking off the man’s jewelry.
“Its always
something” Mary muttered to herself. Taking a peek around she found
another place close by that was shrouded from public view.
“This shouldn’t
take to long. I wont be too late” Mary muttered.
“SHAZAM!!”
Mary transformed.
Since coming to the new city she had opted to go back to her white
costume. With gold piping. The golden lightening symbol emblazoned on
her chest. Her skirt touching two inches above her knees was a little
more revealing then some would like but she liked being a little bit
flirtatious in her alter ego. Golden gauntlets were on her forearms
and bright white cape with golden piping flowed from her back. White
boots completed the ensemble. Mary felt better in the costume and to
be able to let a bit of frustration out. With a short burst of
strength she jumped into the wind and landed into the alley where the
two man still assaulted the other.
“Hey guys! Can’t
help but notice you seem to be taking advantage of this nice man
here” Mary announced her arrival in the alley. Grabbing the man who
had been going through the mans pockets by the neck Mary through him
into a nearby waste bin. He hit with a thud and landed with a groan.
Shaking his head. With her other hand she broke the mans hold on him
and pushed him away. Placing herself between the assaulted man and
the two doing the assaulting.
“Go away bitch
this doesn’t concern you” The other said as he stretched out his
arm and looked around to his friend who was beginning to stand.
“I don’t like
anyone assaulting people in alleys….. or anywhere to be honest”
Mary pushed on the man again sending him into the same bin his friend
was now just up on his feet from.
“Forget it man
she’s one of those heroine types. It’s not worth it” The man
who had been going through all of the stuff tossed everything to the
ground and ran. His associate quickly followed.
The man who had been
assaulted slowly regained his composure.
“Thank you young
lady”
“No problem. Pay
it forward and just doing my job” Thinking about her job she
squealed internally knowing she was now late. She took off with a
wink towards the man and went back into the air and into the other
alley.
“So late. SHAZAM!”
Mary transformed back into her regular self.
Emerging from the
alley she noticed across the way the man was still pulling himself
together and grabbing all of his items. Mary cringed at not sticking
around to help with that but she knew she was late. She crossed the
street and saw the man come out from the alley walking in front of
her up towards her diner which was on the right. Walking past the
alley she took a quick peek down there and saw that the man must have
missed his wallet. It was there on the ground by the trash bin. Quickly jogging in she grabbed it and then went back up tot he street
where the man was walking up towards the diner where she worked.
“Mister!!” She
cried out. Getting his attention he turned towards her and pointed
towards himself.
Mary jogged up to
him.
“Yes. I saw you
come out from the alleyway. Is this yours” Mary presented the
wallet towards him.
“Oh yes. Thank you
very much” The man opened it and Mary saw the licenses did match
his face and he quickly took a large selection of bills that Mary
thought must have been about four thousand dollars worth.
“Here young lady.
Thank you”
“Oh no I can’t
take that… certainly not that amount”
“Please I insist.
I was saved by one of those superheroes and she left before I could
adequately thank her”
“I appreciate it
but I can’t accept that” Mary replied.
“I understand
young woman. Perhaps I can buy you a coffee then as I was about to
step in to this lovely diner here for a cup to regain my nerve”
“Ha, I would like
that but I would be the one serving it to you. I work here” Mary
sheepishly grinned as they entered the diner together.
Mary loved the smell
of pancakes and bacon. Every time she came in it was a nice little
reminder of home. She smiled broadly as she saw the longest tenured
waitress there and all around good women Teresa smile broadly at her.
“Mary…. Somewhat
on time as well” She half chided as she gave the younger woman a
hug.
“Who is this man
you come in with. Far to old for you”
Mary smiled and
punched her friend playfully on the arm.
“A gentlemen who
would like a fresh cup of coffee” Mary said. She gave the man a
wink and walked towards the back to put her apron on.
“Fresh cup!!”
She shouted from the back teasing Teresa.
“Wise cracker!”
Teresa shouted back.
“Let’s get you
sat and Mary will be with you in a moment” Teresa directed him to a
booth that overlooked the street.
“What’s your
name handsome?” Teresa asked while reaching across the isle to get
a pot of coffee and a mug from behind the railing.
“Hassan” The man
replied with grace and a little bow of the head accepting the offered
mug and allowing Teresa to pour.
“You look a little
frazzled though Hassan, everything okay?” Teresa asked.
“He had a run in
with some of the locals” Mary answered for him as she came back
into the front of the diner with her apron on and her hair up.
“Ah, friendly lot
aren’t they” Teresa shook her head and moved away.
“Hassan is it?” Mary Said emerging from the back with an apron on.
“Yes and you are
Mary”
“That’s right.
Can I get you a menu?”
“That would be
lovely thank you”
Mary went and got
the man a menu and started about her duties and having a chat with
Teresa. Hassan could see that she disappeared into the kitchen for a
bit. Through a view able slit into the kitchen he could see her
talking to the cook with a concerned and serious expression on both
of their faces. Finally after what seemed to be about ten minutes of
constant talk Mary hugged the man before emerging from the kitchen
with a sandwich Hassan had ordered. As the young woman approached the
man in the both he could make out watery eyes and his interested was
piqued.
“Here you go. One
tuna sandwich” Mary placed it down with a delicate touch in front
of him with a cheerful manner only those in the service industry
would know was completely disguising turmoil beneath.
“Is everything
alright?” Hassan asked.
“Of course” Mary
replied in an automated way people do when they don’t wish to talk
about things.
“I’ve heard that
cheer and seen that smile enough in my own businesses to know you are
upset. You saved me a great deal of trouble and money today and would
not accept a reward. Perhaps a sympathetic ear would be acceptable?”
Hassan asked.
“That’s really
very nice of you but it wouldn’t be right” Mary replied.
“I own three
restaurants and four clubs my dear. I know servers and I know when
they are distraught. I also know that when they are distraught like
everyone else they make mistakes but because of the work you do you
have to maintain that happy façade. Please I beg you to just tell me”
Hassan said calmly but with passion.
“……. Ugh
fine.” Mary blew out a breath and her happy face disappeared and
was replaced once more with the tears welling in her eyes.
“Well today hasn’t
been great. I was told all my scholarships were being taken away
starting next semester. Leaving me with no ability to pay tuition and
to eat and have an apartment. When I came here to Mr. Tarson the
owner here told me they have to cut back on expenses and will have to
let me go. I just don’t have the ability to cope with it all. I
need to find a new job that pays more and soon so I can stay in
school” Mary almost blew out a breath in relief from getting it all
off of her chest.
“And yet you did
not take any reward money”
“I shouldn’t be
rewarded for doing the right thing” Mary said almost dismissively
“I respect that.
You seem to be a good young woman I am sure you will find something”
Hassan ventured to touch her on the shoulder in a show of support.
Mary briefly touched his hand before he removed it.
“You’re not
hiring are you?” Mary asked.
“Sorry what”
Hassan asked.
“You mentioned you
run restaurants and clubs. Need any help? Pay good?” Mary asked.
Hassan adjusted his
suit and tie and looked at the young woman truly for the first time.
She as young but clearly an adult and insanely beautiful.
“I am always
looking for good servers at my clubs but…… no I cannot offer you
a job” Hassan seemed to pale as he said it as though he couldn’t
bring himself to offer her a job.
“Why not?” Mary
asked.
“My clubs are…...”
Hassan trailed off.
“Are what?” She
asked.
“…… More adult
in nature” Hassan finally replied.
“Adult?? …..
well they are clubs right. We serve alcohol here” Mary said.
“Yes we serve that
as well as offer more….. exotic tastes” Hassan seemed intent on
not saying much more.
“Exotic tastes……”
Mary trailed off as she thought about it.
“….. oh wow HAHA
you mean they are like gentlemen clubs?” Mary exclaimed.
“Yes. I didn’t
wish to insult you”
“Well you’re not
asking me to dance” Mary laughed.
“No, but you would
make a lot of money” Hassan smiled playfully.
“I am sure they do
but its not for me”
“As I thought.
This is why I said I could not offer you a job”
“Well I can serve
still”
“You would not be
put off by the atmosphere?” Hassan asked.
“I mean serving is
serving” Mary replied.
“Yes and no.
Though my clientele is quite upscale when in these types of clubs
some men and even women can revert to their more baser instincts. It
takes a certain kind of server to put up with it”
“I’ve learned
how to deal with handsy people here and you have seen the locals
around here. I think I can handle it” Mary remarked with no show of
pride but a show of strength and maturity that impressed Hassan.
“There is one club
I could use a server at. The pay is very good and you get to keep all
the tips” Hassan offered.
“How good?”
“I start all my
servers there at twenty an hour”
“Wow!!! that’s
amazing plus tips?”
“Yes a girl there
can usually bring home about two hundred a night in tips. More on the
busier days”
“At that rate I
could afford to go to school” Mary exclaimed.
“I would be happy
to help. There is maybe one major final thing you should know about
with this club”
“What is it” She
eyed the man now with a fresh set of eyes that were equal parts
interrogating and hopeful.
“The dress code is
rather unique”
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