Chapter Fourteen Satoshi #4
My pleasure
Sorry I had to keep jumping up to serve people
I offered my bar staff extra shifts to help out with our glasswasher situation, but not many have taken me up on it
MAXI
No worries – we know what hospo is like!
Thanks for hosting anyway – fuck knows I would have cancelled if I was working with a broken glasswasher
SATOSHI
No choice, if I want to be ready for the Aus Somm comp next month (not to mention the MS)
Btw – standing offer to stage at Tsundoku whenever you like, but I really need cover on Sat 2 Feb. Are either of you free?
MAXI
I’m afraid not – daughter’s birthday
CARLTON
Me neither – I’m rostered on, and we’re stretched so thin rn that switching shifts is basically impossible
SATOSHI
Thanks anyway!
From: [email protected]
Subject: Complaint
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to complain about the appalling service I received at your bar on Tuesday night. Not only did the food my colleague and I ordered take almost an hour to reach the table, but it took nearly fifteen minutes to receive a simple glass of wine!
I should also note that your much-vaunted bookshelves contain an astonishing amount of trash – not at all what I had been led to expect by your reputation.
Regards,
Professor Tom Carmichael
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Complaint
Dear Professor Carmichael
My sincere apologies for the poor service you received.
Tsundoku is currently experiencing some staffing issues, as well as the breakdown of our commercial glasswasher, which is why we were unable to serve you as speedily as we would customarily. Please rest assured that this was an exception to our high service standards, not the norm.
We would be happy to issue you a full refund if you come into the bar with your receipt, as well as a bottle of wine as an apology.
Best wishes,
Satoshi
@tsundokubar shared a new photo to Instagram.
[Photo: The Tsundoku bar logo with the phrase ‘CLOSED 2 FEbrUARY’ underneath.]
[Caption: Please note that we will be closed this Saturday 2 February for a wedding. We will reopen as normal on 3 February.]
SATOSHI
Before you ask: I’ve decided to close this Saturday because Charlotte isn’t ready to run the floor yet
I let her do a trial the other night and it didn’t go very well
I’m going to keep working with her, as well as running another ad
This is only a short-term hiccup
It’s under control
ISAMU
Noted
But if you need help, ask
SATOSHI
Will you do me a favour?
FIONA
Of course
SATOSHI
You know that green dress of yours? The one you wore to Abode that makes your tits look incredible?
Will you wear that tonight?
I just had to pay a king’s ransom to get our glasswasher fixed, and the fact that Sadie rudely scheduled her hens’ night on R&R Thursday has put me in a bad mood
Seeing you in that dress, though, might cheer me up…
FIONA
You mean this dress?
Fiona sent a photo.
[Photo: Fiona half-wearing a green dress, breasts exposed.]
SATOSHI
… sorry, I think I passed out for a moment
I didn’t remember it making your tits look quite THAT incredible
FIONA
Give me your honest opinion: how do you rate this?
Because I haven’t taken a nude in… a decade, probably?
I have no idea how to get the right angles or lighting or anything
Plus, I’m working with some obvious limitations
SATOSHI
My professional appraisal: this is an exceptional vintage, with outstanding body and legs. Extremely pleasing to the eye, but this pales in comparison to the taste.
FIONA
My professional appraisal, as a writer: your ability to be so sweet and so filthy at the same time indicates a rare talent x
SATOSHI
I’m feeling better already
Though I’m reconsidering asking you to wear the dress tonight, because seeing you in it and not being able to take it off you might end me
FIONA
xxx
Also: It’s out!
Fiona sent a link.
[Web link: ‘Brothers, Books and Booze: The Bibliophile Story’ from .au]
SATOSHI
Fiona!!
I hope everyone is as proud of you as I am xx
FIONA
I hope so too
If I ever get my nerve up to tell them, anyway
SATOSHI
Offer to hold your hand is always on the table x
FIONA
Typing this under the table and I’m a bit tipsy so sorry if there are any weird autocorrects
Watching you in your element is the hottest thing in the world
I’m doing my best to pay attention to Sadie and Chess and Julia but my god Satoshi
The way you move around the bar
No wasted motion
Your hands
The way you manage to be in like 7 places at once
The way you do so many things at the same time and make it look effortless
You’re standing at our table right now pouring us chablis and telling us about it and I haven’t taken in a word you’re saying because I’m so busy listening to you
I have to keep texting you because if I look at you then everyone in this bar is going to know how badly I want to tear your clothes off
SATOSHI
Say you’re going to the bathroom
FIONA
I can’t
Sadie will know IMMEDIATELY if we both disappear at the same time
SATOSHI
Please
Two minutes
I won’t even mess up your lipstick
I could really use a hug