Lunch Is Beautiful: Chapter 1 and 2

Chapter 1: The Diligent Postman

It was a bright and sunny morning, and the bag I was carrying was not that heavy. In the morning, when I was going through the day's load, I was quite amazed to find a letter that was actually sent to me. It was uncle Francis, using his trademark blue envelope with a two shilling cat stamp. I always wondered why he preferred blue for sending mails. I could take the mail inside my pocket, and forget the duty, but I decided to drop by my home! I loved the dazzled look in my wife Catherine's face, when I handed over the letter to her. Without explaining anything, I left home. The explanations can wait, but the duties cannot.

Some free-happy-jolly guy was playing an enchanting tune using a mouth organ. While listening to the tune, I didn't notice that I was actually walking on the road. I came back to senses when I heard the shrieking of a couple of angry horses, and also some gentle curses from the coachman. I peeked inside to see the lovely face of an embarrassed young lady. She had an apologetic look in her face. Perhaps she wasn't that busy as to let the coachman intimidate unmindful pedestrians.

She probably has a date, I thought. She was all dressed up, and the posh restaurants were not too far away. Soon I reached Mr. William's home. I liked this person. He's young and he gave me a 10 franc note when I delivered that special mail. I don't know what was written in that mail, but as soon as he tore down the envelope and read through a couple of lines, his face got lightened up like a dozen of 100 Watt bulbs. He reached out for his moneybag, and handed me the note without even looking at it. Well, receiving tips is not something which I can do everyday. Most people don't even bother considering a tip. To them, no news is good news. I was quite surprised, and since then, I've been praying everyday so that he gets another letter from that special person. Alas! That day never came.

Chapter 2: The Bar

Bartender: "Trust me, cleaning liquor glasses can be as much fun as pouring wine and drinking them."

James (whispering): "Yeah, yeah! The phrase grapes are sour was invented just for describing yourself!"

Customer 1: "James! (Loud) Come over here...I ordered my bottle of champagne at least 15 minutes ago"

Bartender: "Sorry Sir, it won't happen again"

Customer 1: "It better not happen! You're not the only one with the best champagne, are you?"

James lost his father when he was eight years old. His elderly mother already gave birth to 3 boys and 2 girls. The girls died very young, one son went to the army, and the other just got lost one day. She was left with James, apparently the sole non-bright member of the family. She didn't have enough money to send James to a school, and she wasn't that interested either. So James ended up in Julio's Bar as an errand boy. 10 years have passed, and James got promoted as the head waiter. Julio, the bartender and owner was more than pleased on this cheerful lad, and he also trusted him a lot. Julio didn't have a family. To him, the bar and its staffs were the family, and he relied a lot on them. He always used to say "Customer is the boss". Agree to whatever he says, but make sure he leaves happily and returns again the next day. Julio was facing a lot of competition from some of the newer, somewhat modernized bars and restaurants. The concept of bars was quickly fading away, with more restaurants serving meals as well as drinks. Julio did have some snack items, but he didn't focus on those items much. Change is needed, he thought.

As Julio finished talking with the aggravated customer, he saw De Metz enter the bar. John De Metz was a general to Joan of Frank, but our De Metz was just a general to the Post De Franc, as in French postal service. As he handed over a one franc note to him, he came to know that the shipment of exclusive grape wine from versaille will be delayed by 2 weeks.

Damn! I'll lose at least ten customers who never drink anything other than grape wine!

Meanwhile, James was talking with De Metz.

"Hey mailer boy, where you'll be off to now?"

"I don't know, I just have a few mails to deliver, and it's only 11 AM. Looks like it'll be a boring day for me".

"Got any mails from my fiance?

"Sorry, no."

"Can you please check again?" Your bag looks quite heavy, there must be one mail from her, hidden somewhere within".

Metz started ransacking the bag. He found a thicker than usual mail. After a closer examination, it was revealed that it was actually two mails stuck together. Seeing this, James got excited. Metz couldn't hide his happiness, but the reason for this happiness had nothing to do with James. He actually discovered a mail for Mr. Williams, which meant 10 francs assured.

To be continued