Exchange

17 pages

Chapter 1

Andrew Joseph Minyard is a twenty-year-old guy who works at the Penguin restaurant in the main city of the country. About a hundred people come to the restaurant every day, fifty percent of whom are teenagers. The restaurant itself is small: a fairly spacious room with tables with chairs, sofas and the counter itself. There are various posters on the wall near the counter regarding the department of the best employees of this restaurant. The walls there, with the exception of the wall at the counter, are pale beige in color, and the floor is dark. The ceiling is white, the chandeliers on it are also white, but with a black lampshade and a pattern. The tables and chairs are dark orange, and in the middle of each table there is a small set that includes spices and various sauces. The restaurant itself used to be an ordinary cafe, but for some reason it was demolished and this building was built. The Penguin's contribution amounted to about four thousand million dollars. People often ask, "Is it good to work here?" and "What's the salary here?". Everyone can answer the first question in different ways due to the fact that there are people who like to work at this place, and there are those who do not like it - they work only because of the salary. In itself, the issue per month is rather big – forty-two thousand rubles. Many people use this money, but because of their irritability, customers are forced to leave the restaurant, leaving and not paying for freshly prepared food on the table where they used to sit. Employees are rude and reproach people, just to leave and not come back. There are only five people working here now. Two salesmen, one cook and two waiters. It is hardly possible to cope with such a small composition. For example, you need at least four people to work as a cook, this is practically their composition – there are a lot of people, some come just to relax, drink a cup of hot coffee, and others to eat delicious food in all possible ways. Cooking is a hell of a lot. It's the same with the waiter! It takes six, well, or five people. And three people are enough for a sales position. The days in this hall are very different from anywhere else. For example... Scandals – they happen in the restaurant almost every day. People quarrel with sellers and waiters, who, in turn, do not listen to the instructions of customers and refuse to serve them. This often happens when Andrey has a day off, because while he is working, it is impossible to do any stupid things - the guy immediately prevents trouble. Andrew has a day off now, and he doesn't know what's going on in the restaurant. On the one hand, you can go and find out, no one forbade it. Well, if you're lazy, then you shouldn't talk about it here. If, for example, someone thinks: "Can't they be fired?", then, accordingly, the conclusion will come by itself – they will leave, others will not come - this can be easily remembered and even learned. Now is the time when it is difficult to find any kind of part-time job. People sometimes put up "Looking for a job" ads themselves and wait until they answer the number they specified. This tactic does not work immediately, or it may not work at all. It all depends on the skill of a particular person. If a person wants to go to work as a baker, bake different buns and the like, but does not reach the highest or at least average cooking level, then it is useless to take him to work – suddenly someone will poison. And if someone wants to go to the actor? Again, you need to check the person's skill for this topic. He may not be suitable for the role of a particular character, or he may not be able to cope with emotions – to show those that do not correspond to the plan. By the way, Andrew was the first to be hired, who was not tested for his ability to serve customers and cook desserts. At that time, people almost demolished the restaurant just because they needed a job, and this guy just applied and waited for it to be accepted or rejected. About three days have passed since the application was submitted – accordingly, it was accepted. Andrew did not expect such a turn of events and was even confused, but he went to work the next day anyway. Like everyone else, he was given a list of daily plans, had a mini-tour of the restaurant and was given a notebook in which a particular dish was drawn on a separate piece of paper. Products were presented below, each of which was numbered in its turn; in the margins, separated, as in notebooks, by a red line, the name of the dish and the time of its preparation were written. Andrew, as if nothing had happened, nevertheless checked his culinary skills and, having made sure of them, began to cook according to the planned plan. The people who came then were delighted with such culinary skills – the food turned out to be so delicious and, according to customers, "great" that more and more people came to the restaurant. Sometimes Andrew didn't even have time to cook so many dishes that he got tired over and over again. There was no urine to just walk home. Other employees delicately admitted their guilt for calling Andrew names, because now people came because of him much more often than before. The restaurant manager seemed to be watching a new film every day, which was arranged by customers and employees. He wasn't bad, but he wasn't good either. He also identified a new place for the Minyard from the cameras, because it's much worse to be one cook. Andrew temporarily worked at the sales counter, then worked as a waiter, and a little later, when two chefs were found, Andrew was returned to his original place. During his time as a waiter and a salesman, Minyard switched jobs: if he had worked as a waiter, then two people working there would have moved to the position of cook. Accordingly, the same thing happened to the seller. Everything got better when they found two chefs and one waiter, but by the end of the year there were already six out of eight employees. There are two chefs, two salesmen and two waiters left. Two at once!

—

On the sixteenth of May, time was running out as early as half past three in the evening. Andrew had just prepared another batch of dishes and sent them by tape to the distribution area. He managed to cook quickly for one or two, because there are a lot more people in the evening than in the morning or at lunch. The drinks were prepared in the same way as the dishes, but Andrew didn't do that. The sellers, Rene and Rick, were responsible for preparing the drinks. Rene is Andrew's companion, very loyal and kind. He will support you at any moment! A lover of stabbing with a mini-bar. Rick is a guy who got a job thanks to Andrew and Renee. Actually, a distant friend of mine who started working here after moving in. Andrew sat down on the chair closest to him and, tired, rested his chin on his palm. My eyes were already closing with fatigue, I wanted to sleep, but the time had not yet come – the end of the working day was only at eight o'clock in the evening. The guy remained in this position for about two minutes, and then jerked violently from another knock on the glass table: "Andrew, there's not much time anyway! Do you ever sleep at all?" "Apparently not," Renee answered the question, loosely closing the door behind her. Walker got a look from Andrew that burned right through her. He hesitated, choosing his words, not knowing what to talk about at all. Four minutes later, I still had to swing, because several more people came to the restaurant. Rene and Rick went to their post, while Minyard remained sitting and waiting for a whole bunch of orders to cook again. Rick served seven people, wrote down the orders and sent a piece of paper to the tape, on which Andrew handed him the prepared dish. Renee was standing slightly to Rick's left. She explained something to a recently arrived girl who came here for the first time, and also poured various juices and cocktails for the boys, her sons, and not only them. Minyard, out of breath, prepared only four dishes out of the seven that were to be sent. Another cook has gone on sick leave, and Andrew has to cope on his own. To leave room for the next plates, the guy made room, thereby sending four dishes along the conveyor to the counter. And for another half hour, Minyard fiddled with three recipes and still cooked the dishes. After putting the dishes on the table once again, Andrew felt tired: he sat down on the same chair and mistakenly tilted his head back, slightly closing his eyes.

—

The guy woke up to the sound of footsteps, which grew louder and louder as he approached. It was Rick and Rene again. "Well, the guy can't stand it!" The red–haired man was briefly indignant. "Oh, Rick, it's time to get used to it," Walker said too calmly. Andrew silently followed the very brief diologue. He got up from his chair and headed for the exit, but stopped when he looked at his watch – their working day had already ended two minutes ago. Scratching his head, Minyard turned to the guys, walked over and sat on the floor next to Rick. "Guys, let's play yesterday's game?" the girl suggested to the mute silence. " Who's red?" "Why is it red?" Andrew finally spoke up. "For example, I want to be blue." Walker looked back at the guys indignantly. She really wanted to play a good character, rather than an enemy. She blinked back at Andrew, who hesitated and turned away. Rick watched this under-performance and grinned. Alternately, the guys played a game connected to the TV. First Renee played with Rick, then Rick played with Andrew. Then Renée is with Rick again, and he is with Minyard. Andrew didn't want to play with the girl, he might have been offended by her for giving out a bad character. Walker did not take offense, she understood that things did not work out that way, and therefore, in honor of the truce, she threw a pack of cigarettes at Minyard. It was clearly reflected on the guy's face – mute delight. The working day is over. Andrew left first, and the guys were left alone, still playing 'fight'. They said goodbye in a funny way, wished Minyard a good night's sleep, Renee even gave him a cocktail she had recently made as an apology. But it was clear from Andrew's face that he wasn't offended by her at all.

Chapter 2

Minyard was sitting in the kitchen and reading the newspaper that had been in the drawer since morning. It wrote about a new open club, located somewhere fifty kilometers from its current city, as well as about the new achievement of the Penguin. Andrew was not particularly happy about this, there was an unjustified grin on his face, which was barely visible, rather than real enthusiasm. The work is worth it. Closer to two o'clock in the morning, Andrew went to bed. Still, he was tired of not getting enough sleep, much less sleeping at work under the gun of cameras and friends. For twenty minutes he tried to fall asleep, which he managed with zero percent out of a hundred. Or at least out of ten. This happens every time Minyard tries to fall asleep for at least half an hour. All he keeps saying is, "The moon doesn't love him." But he gets sleepy in the morning. The guy managed to fall asleep at six in the morning. There are still three, maybe two hours left before work: It depends on what time Minyard gets up. The restaurant opens at nine, and if it opens at that time, then Andrew should also come at nine. These are the rules of the working day. The restaurant opens at nine and closes at nine o'clock too, but not in the morning, but in the evening. Usually people come from six o'clock in the evening and walk until the end of the working day. From nine in the morning until the start of the working day, a lot of people come, but still not so many: about thirteen percent, unlike the other eighty-seven. For lunch, well, at two o'clock, a couple of people may come. In extreme cases, these are women with children or a significant other. But the second option is less common than the first.

—

There's an hour and a half left before work. Andrew was already used to such a small amount of time and did not regret it a bit. In his opinion, sitting in a restaurant where there are almost no visitors is better than sitting at home alone. You can die of boredom. Minyard got out and headed towards the restaurant. He lives not far from him, only two and a half kilometers – it's nothing! Renee arrives before everyone else, because the owner of the company gave her the keys to the restaurant. It's useless to give Rick – he's late. Just for a little bit: fifteen minutes. Andrew could have been given the keys, but he would hardly have carried them with him. He doesn't like it. And Renee is the only one who can bring them and not lose them, and even more so come at the right time. The waiters are not suitable only because they work shifts. The guy got there faster than he expected. Rick was late out of habit, and Walker was already busy at the counter, cleaning and washing drinks cups. Andrew greeted her and went to his kitchen. There he took off his windbreaker, hung it on a hanger, sat down and waited for the order. Seven minutes and three orders have already been placed. Minyard managed to cope with this one or two times. The next orders, four pieces, arrived in three minutes. Then another order, another, another, and then I wrote these "More", I forgot what it is in general (the meaning of the word). Gradually handing over the dishes, Andrew rested his elbows on the table and blinked boringly. Sometimes there were fewer and fewer orders, and that was to be expected – lunch. All people are sitting at home or walking somewhere in the park anyway. There were orders, but not so many. Every customer who came to the restaurant ordered one or two dishes. The customers themselves came in about ten minutes after the early one left. Evening came, and more and more customers came. Rick, as usual, wrote down the dishes in a notebook and sent it over Andrew's tape. Out of habit, Walker explained everything to customers and poured drinks for them at the request of people. Minyard, on the other hand, was not friends with fatigue and therefore completed the daily list as quickly as possible. Just as usual, he sent out the ready meals and rested for five to seven minutes before a new order was announced. And-and-and... Yes, he showed up! Not one, but five. It was a lot, but Andrew had never encountered anything like this: fourteen was his record.

—

Orders, deliveries and handouts are boring. People often get tired at work, but continue to perform certain actions that need to be completed in a certain period of time, just to earn some money, buy groceries with them and provide for themselves and the child, if there is one. You also need money to buy the necessary interior items and clothes. Most of the accumulated bills are spent on the house: electricity, Internet, water. It's hard for people without food, water and heat – they die. Recently, people who own large companies have become no less evil and heartless. They began to treat other people who do not have the opportunity to find a job poorly and indifferently. A passerby sits and prays, just to be given at least a penny, and those monsters mock him in every possible way. Yes, there are good people, but there are fewer and fewer of them. Everyone tries to justify their false words by any means; someone wants to appear like a "pop star" in front of everyone, thereby humiliating others. Many people gave up on training, began to be rude to teachers, acquaintances and even their own parents. They didn't give a damn about what was happening in their city, in their country, or on the planet at all. The children who used to be rays of sunshine have turned into unrecognizable teenagers. Parents often say that before, children often smiled and enjoyed life. Now it is difficult for them to show their parents even a false smile. They lack attention. But when adults try to do something good for a child, he refuses help and support.

—

"Andrew Joseph Minyard!" Walker exclaimed enthusiastically. "Are you sleeping?" Andrew was really asleep, but after another noise he woke up unnoticed. "Obviously, yes," Rick said. "Obviously not," Andrew replied, looking at him with his usual impassive gaze. Renee smiled and walked over to the guys. She was saying something, but Minyard wasn't listening, he was just getting into his own thoughts. There were at least fifteen minutes left before the end of the working time. That's why the guys came to check on the blond one, because there was no one else in the restaurant. The boys sat in silence for ten minutes, staring at each other as if playing peek-a-boo. For the next five minutes, they talked about future plans for the weekend: Renee replied with only one word – cleaning, Rick composed an entire poem, and Andrew did not answer anything. Minyard planned to sharpen the knives hidden under the bandages on his hands as much as possible over the weekend. After that, Andrew packed up and left first. The guys said goodbye, and Rick, as if nothing had happened, advised them to sleep as much as possible, even begged them to take the day off just to get enough sleep. Renee smiled goodbye and, out of habit, handed over another cocktail. This time, the guy didn't understand why she gave it to him. He wasn't offended by her, or angry, or anything like that. Of course, it's good that they give gifts, but Andrew didn't really like strawberry cocktails. The one I brought home yesterday was still in the fridge. It looks like this drink will have to go there too.

—

It's already eleven o'clock in the evening, and Minyard can't sleep. I really want to sit down, not go to bed at an "early" time. But closer to one o'clock in the afternoon, Andrew hesitantly went to bed, although he knew that he would never fall asleep. Time passed: two hours... three, four... Five. Spending so much time on the phone can easily ruin your eyesight and wear lenses or glasses. It doesn't matter. Another half hour passed, but Andrew still didn't fall asleep. He spent the whole night on the phone or just lay there trying to find a comfortable position. Morning came for Minyard at six o'clock. He reluctantly washed his face and brewed a cup of hot coffee. Since it was Saturday, the eighteenth of May, Andrew had a day off. He has another man working in the restaurant, too young, two years older than the blond man. Andrew has a four-day work schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. There is one more person working on Saturday, Sunday and Thursday. Minyard does not mind this – he has drawn up his own work schedule, leaving Chike with three shifts. Sitting all day just like that was not as good for Andrew as standing. All this time, Andrew rested as best he could: smoked, drank a little and watched something interesting from the window. The view is beautiful. Besides, he drove his car around a not-so-big city. Apart from this being a waste of time, it can be assumed that Minyard spent Sunday in exactly the same way.

Chapter 3

Two weeks went great – a lot of orders, weekends and the inevitable scandals. Basically, as always. It's already the third of June. The third day of the long–awaited summer, which ends too quickly, and comes too long - not soon. Andrew just came to the restaurant. A working day, after all. Renee was already at her "native" counter, preparing another batch of cups, half of which were still dirty. Rick wasn't anywhere yet. Maybe he overslept again, he's late. There were only two boys and an elderly man among the people. Walker turned to the door when she saw Andrew, waved and motioned for him to come in. Minyard obediently came over and leaned on the counter. Renee then repeated the same pose and began to quietly explain some reason. About seven minutes later, Rick also came up, who received several stunned glances. He ran up to the guys, apologizing for being late again, but received only a blank look and a good-natured smile. The girl took the guy's left wrist and began to say what Andrew had said before. The red-haired man was slightly indignant, perhaps nervous, but he didn't show much. He was still listening intently to what Walker was saying. He also stared at her intently, without taking his eyes off her. The story that Renee stated was not so creepy, but it was not at all joyful: about two days ago, three bodies were found near the cafe "Sunny". Yesterday we found another one, only at the club. Many people are now afraid to just go out for a walk or, for example, go to work. The time of death of these people was set for the night, around eleven o'clock in the evening. At approximately the same time. At this time, just the same, Andrew passes by the alley between the "Sun" and an abandoned multi-storey building. Rick undoubtedly interrupted Renee: "Calm down, this may be a common murder.. Or suicide," he said lightly, reasoning, "it doesn't concern us." He thought a little... "I'm sure we'll be fine," the guy spoke again. Renee gave him an already warm, trusting look. She uttered the following words in a barely audible voice: "Yes, I understand, but don't forget that this is happening in our city." Andrew said nothing and went to his office. There were not so many people, and therefore there were few orders.

—

In the evening, when there were more and more people, an awkward situation even arose: a man with a height of at least one hundred and seventy-two centimeters entered the restaurant. He was bald. His left eye squinted at the bridge of his nose, and there was a scar on his neck. The man was wearing a red and black shirt and gray shorts. Renee served him by pouring him a glass of wine. It seemed to him that this was not enough, so the guy asked for a whole bottle of vodka. He took the first table he saw and, sitting down, began to drink a glass at a time. Already drunk, he noticed how someone at the next table looked into his face and, turning away, began whispering with a friend who was sitting next to him. Seeing this, the man became really angry and quickly headed to their table. A friend who was used to listening to a friend saw it first and jumped off the edge of the sofa. The second one stared blankly at the running guy, and then turned around, which was a gross mistake: the bald man swung an empty bottle at him, hit him once, and the light went out... I'm kidding. The bottle hit right on the back of the head. It seemed to the man that this was not enough, and therefore he attacked the guy from above. He screamed as loudly as possible from the pain in his head and to get help; the bald man punched him in the face, leaving a red spot in every place. Renee called the police, but did not approach. Rick, surprised, watched this spectacle at the counter, not wanting to come closer, and Andrew, hearing the screams, rushed to separate people just like himself. The waiters were also doing something, but all to no avail. The police arrived only twenty-two minutes later, during which time Andrew got punched in the nose, but he still managed to stop the fight. An ambulance arrived and took the guy away. The police took the man away, finally apologizing for his long absence. Renee stole a first-aid kit from the bottom drawer, sat Andrew down on her chair and began to treat his nose. "Oh, I feel sorry for that man," Rick said, looking into Minyard's eyes. Renee grinned in displeasure and turned to the red-haired man. " Why do you suddenly feel sorry for this jerk? Look at Andrew, he almost broke his nose!" " Well, you know, not everyone can be born with a beautiful appearance. Because of this, they are often humiliated and ridiculed. It must have been difficult for him to just sit and listen to gossip about him," Rick was already thinking longingly, "it seems to me that this guy got what he deserved, it's a pity, of course, that the second one was not dismissed, but still I'm glad about that." Renee raised one eyebrow and looked at Minyard. He, in turn, nodded, agreeing with Rick's statement. "Are you even a fool?" Walker replied to the nod. "He broke your nose... Morons, I feel sorry for him now too." The guys grinned and looked at each other. No one else said a word, not a sound. Renee finished with Minyard's nose and stood on the counter again. Rick did the same for Renee after helping Andrew up. Minyard left, knowing that there would be few orders, because people were scared of the recent situation, and they hardly have the desire to come to the restaurant again today. If this hadn't happened, there would have been a lot more visitors than there are now. But for Andrew, it's like a "paradise", because you don't have to bother cooking a large number of dishes they ordered. But Rick and Renee had to stand and watch the people disperse, to see their faces, on which fear is clearly expressed. "Why be scared at least?" The red—haired man said, also looking at the people with a grin. Andrew responded with one word – the reason. This phrase was shouted by Renee to a man who was tired of this restaurant in every possible way. He shouted about abnormal waiters, "tasteless" food and evil counterkeepers. It seems that Andrew was a little offended by the insult to his activities, but, as always, he did not show it. Renee looked at him with a thin, direct gaze, and Rick wanted to punch him in the face, as the man did to Minyard, but his hand did not rise: he loves his job, loves every corner of this restaurant; he likes people too, he considers them small living specks on the planet. Even if a person is bad, insults, beats and drinks, then you should not dislike him — there is a share of lies in all people, but there is also a share of truth. Everyone has feelings of guilt and misunderstanding. There are no people who really don't care about others: maybe they pretend that they don't care about this or that person in every possible way, but the soul directly screams: "Help him, help him!".

Chapter 4

Several days have passed since the pogrom in the restaurant. Today is already the fourteenth of June, which means that we are approaching a new month — the middle of the summer period. There are still as many visitors as before. There was no such hype anymore. That bald man was taken to the police, but, as you know, he was released. He handed in all his statements and was allowed to go home. The second, who was injured, was detained because of suspicions: a girl of about seven years old was passing by a police station with her mother. At that time, this guy testified — the girl recognized him, pointed her finger at him and explained why she was scared. It turned out that he was a rapist and an assassin who had killed girls or boys about the same age as her more than once. The girl's name is Yunni, she walked on the playground with her friends from the entrance or from the kindergarten in the first month of spring. Time passed, and when evening came, the children left. Yunni was left alone. This guy had been on a bench near the playground since lunch, where the children were, waiting for the right moment. As soon as everyone left, he approached her, said that her father was his friend. He asked me to pick up my daughter and take her home. Yunni is a curious girl. And as it was not, she agreed to go with him, taking the guy by the hand. Later, she stopped understanding where they were going — her house was in a completely different direction. Yunni pulled back her hand, which was slightly squeezed by the guy, and rushed to run towards the house. This man, seeing the girl running away from him, quickly followed her, but did not run. Opening the entrance, Yunni ran inside and slammed the door — the password sensor went off. She ran to her apartment and, opening it, stole a pepper shaker from the kitchen shelf, which dad had put up for self-defense when his daughter was alone.

—

Twelve o'clock. Lunch. According to Andrew and Rene's assumption, there should have been, as usual, few people. But for some reason not now. Andrew was already preparing his sixth serving while Renee was serving a couple more customers. Rick gets high: he sits, does nothing. He's sitting at home! He got sick. Walker knows that if Rick starts to get sick, then she and Andrew will be screwed: day after day of calls, dials. He doesn't care if he has time or not. Most of the time, he swings at Andrew. At night. This is to check if Minyard is sleeping at the moment or just sitting on the phone. He doesn't call Renee often, but not infrequently either. During the conversation, they discuss plans for the next few days; the new interior in the restaurant will look much better than the current one. And new dishes, which Andrew is a master of, can be included in the menu list. Rick offered the interior in different shades — just two colors are enough. Renee responded with another idea.: "The new interior in our restaurant will look better in a white-gray shade. White wallpaper with a grayish pattern; white tables — white chairs. On the sides, in the corner, there will be lush green plants, and their pots will be dark green so as not to lose the color of the flower… The windows are large, covering the entire wall. A beautiful new sign "The restaurant is closed, you should have come earlier!" will be hung on the front door. Isn't it great? And when you open it, it's simple — "Open". " The red-haired man does not argue with girls, boys, or men. He likes to be justified. According to this principle, Rick agreed with Renee's preference for color, and she only grinned slightly. Andrew is tired of the next batch of new orders. I've already given away those nine, four more remain to be prepared and sent by tape to Rene. The poor girl works alone for two: drinks, notes, handouts, handouts. You can die in a day! Andrew is also gradually getting into it. He cooks and cleans. In particular, only in his work room, and so in the evening Rene reluctantly helps. "Yes, I know, but still?.. The interior will still be white and gray!" "Who are you talking to, Rene?" Andrew interrupted the phone conversation. "And? A. I'm with Rick." Andrew didn't say anything else. He silently walked over to the counter and took Rick's place. Just like the red-haired one, Andrew carried out daily plans, and then went to his room and cooked custom meals. Renee was surprised every time Andrew came to serve customers again, but he just kept working without noticing it. At the end of the day, Walker asked why he was working for himself and Rick at the same time. Andrew hesitated, but answered in short words: "Just helping you and making things easier for Rick." Renee didn't question him. She didn't like to do that—she waited for the answer to come to her. Somehow, she doesn't really want to get into another person's personal life, much less destroy it in a simple way. I fell in love with a handsome young guy myself, and he, noticing this, does not give a single look.

—

Minyard is on his way home now. Before that, the guy was in the store, buying water and a pack of cigarettes — the last one was already over. He is in no hurry to get to his house, watch the news and just go to bed. Although he does it poorly. There weren't as many people on the wide streets as there would be at a normal time of day. Every five to seven minutes, two people walked past Andrew, or maybe three if they were lucky. That's how Minyard got to the door of his house, turned the key and entered, leaving the door ajar. He took off his shoes, walked a little further and headed for the bathroom. Despite the TV on, the guy washed his hands and jumped to the door, thereby locking it with a key. Three clicks and the door is closed. Andrew did not watch the news, but only went to his room to sleep. The TV was still on, and the sound from it was playing in all corners of the house. This did not bother Minyard, he just buried his face in the pillow and closed his eyes, while quietly sniffing. He was able to fall asleep, but not for long. At almost two o'clock in the morning, Andrew's phone rang—Renee called, and this was the seventh time. From what he saw, the guy imperceptibly became alert, and Walker continued to call him still. Minyard picked up the phone and fell silent. Renee was either just talking to him in a loud tone—discussing something that Andrew didn't really hear—or roaring into the phone, begging for something. Andrew did not answer a word to everything that Walker muttered to him, but only at the end, when the girl fell silent, he quietly asked: "Renee, what happened?" At the same time, he spoke in a normal tone, but there was still a slight tremor in his voice. Renee waited a minute and then hung up and didn't call again. Andrew, in turn, called her three more times, but the girl's phone was unavailable. Then the guy was seriously scared, he wanted to go to her, but he couldn't. The car was under repair, and there was no particular desire to walk along the narrow path at night.

—

It's morning again, the sun has recently given its rays to the grass, which was looking forward to this moment. The trees rustled their leaves, the birds were already chirping at the top of their voices, and Andrew's alarm clock was ringing like crazy for the tenth time. Fifteen minutes later, the working day begins, and Minyard sleeps and sleeps. The rays of the sun ran across the pillow, but they could not wait for the result. The alarm clock is powerless, it has been ringing for the twelfth time. The phone also wouldn't let up, someone very patient was calling for the sixth time. After some attempts, the phone call managed to reach Minyard. The guy woke up and just rolled over on his side, glowering at the phone, which was about to fall from the vibration from the bedside table. Four minutes later, Andrew finally picked up the phone, answered the call, and fell silent. An unknown number was calling. Even if a person's number is not recorded on the mini-yard, he will always be able to identify it by the last four digits. The man who was able to get through to Andrew was talking into the phone, but Minyard didn't understand a word, just like with Renee. He thought they were calling him and just making fun of him, but it was clear from Walker that they were not joking. She was literally crying. The blond man didn't listen anymore to what he didn't understand at all. He pressed his finger softly, and the call ended, and then looked at the time, after which he jumped out of bed and ran to get dressed. Renee usually called someone who was late, but for some reason Andrew didn't get a message from her or a missed call. Although it was already twenty-five minutes to ten. Gathering himself, Andrew rushed out into the corridor and, locking the door, trudged into the restaurant. Nineteen minutes later, the guy arrived, but was surprised that the restaurant door was locked. There were few people on the street: fewer than in previous times. Stray dogs walked along the alleys, cats walked along the sidewalk, and they asked for food. Andrew checked his gaze with a passerby who was looking through black glasses, eyebrows raised. Did it seem strange? No. A little later, the blond was about to call Renee or the restaurant director, but briefly changed his mind. Rick, who had run straight from the hospital, ran up to the restaurant. "Andrew?!" The red—haired man said out of breath. "Andrew! Why is it closed? Where's Renee? Why are there few people on the streets?" Minyard gave him a hard, steady look. He didn't know a single answer to these questions, but he was more concerned about the girl's condition than anyone else. Logically speaking, Renee Walker has the keys. The girl is not around, and the mobile phone is unavailable. She usually arrives before everyone else, even before the restaurant director. Now there is no one: no Rene, no director, no people. Empty. "Have you tried to call her?" Andrew took out his phone and ignored the questions. "Yes, I tried, but the mobile phone is unavailable," Rick said. Did she answer? "Yes, I tried, but she didn't answer. Just like yours. She called me last night. She was roaring into the phone." Rick raised his eyebrows slightly, there was something in his eyes that would sting so much at the first attempt that it would not seem enough. "Was she crying into the phone?" Rick repeated after Minyard. "Did you say anything to her?" "She was saying something, but, alas, I couldn't make out a word. Then at six, at about half past six, another number rang. Unknown. There were a lot of missed calls, but I didn't pick up the phone until nine o'clock." "Did he call you from six to nine? At least there was enough money, damn it," he said the last words not questioningly, but confidently, "Walker didn't call anymore, did she?" "Yes."

Chapter 5

"Renee." The girl turned slightly to the man who called her name. The guy's face was covered with a black mask and dark blue glasses. Also black clothes. The gloves and cropped shorts were only lighter. The guy looks young, about twenty-twenty-four years old. He was walking rapidly towards Walker, his head was raised straight up, which meant "confidence". The girl was running away. I ran as fast as I could, because my legs hurt, it was impossible to step on my foot, but through tears Rene saved herself. With some attempt to get behind the criminal, she managed, but not for long. Somewhere, another one jumped out of the corner and attacked the girl. "It was a dream," Andrew said, jumping out of bed. Indeed, it was a dream. Renee was found, but it's been about a week since she went missing. She stayed in the restaurant for a short time, and then, according to her story, it was found out that a man came into the restaurant, a man who asked to fill the bottle to the brim with wine. The girl obediently complied with the man's request and, having given it, turned her back. The same one cracked her with a bottle. As far as she remembers, she woke up outside in the rain. The area was unknown. There was no bag, which always hangs around his neck. There was also no phone, which was a particular disappointment. The girl walked along the alleys, getting wet under the open sky; the clouds were dark dark blue, the rain was both cold in moderation and partly warm. There was not a single living entity on the street — this is another disappointment. Wandering and looking for shelter, Walker passed by every house, but was afraid to even knock. She spent enough time on a bench, which was saved from the rain by a large old oak tree. Renee was waiting for help, but minutes, hours passed, and the support she was waiting for was not from the word at all. Soon she simply got tired of sitting, she lay down on a half-wet bench and fell asleep. She woke up in an office with two doctors standing next to her, a policeman on the left and another man who looked like a detective on the right. The doctors examined the body, the policeman and the detective asked Rene in detail, and then released her. Rick and Andrew were already waiting for her outside. As soon as Walker left the station, Rick saw her and immediately ran to her. He was either laughing or crying, or maybe both. From joy and happiness. "Renee!.." Rick said, hugging her. Renee hugged her partner and shifted her gaze sensitively to Andrew. "Don't ask me what number I called from, okay?" She turned to Minyard. "Okay," he replied, looking over Walker's shoulder. There was a policeman standing behind them, who was soon approached by a second one. They were talking about something, discussing something, looking in Rene's direction every other time. Andrew wondered what they were chatting about and, slightly lowering his eyes, walked towards them, not noticing the sharp glances in his direction. He walked and stopped at a decent distance, greeted both the first and the second, and then asked about the evidence or something related to them. Then the conversation began, which Andrew was partly involved in. They talked personally about the case, talked only about work and about the case with Walker. Nothing else. A twenty-minute conversation with the police benefited both the blonde, the girl, and Rick at the same time. Minyard said goodbye and trudged back to the guys. They all went to the restaurant together, but not to return to work, but only to play a game console: Rick bought another one so that he would not stand in line, but play together. Quietly, calmly, without any doubt, the guys walked, along the way they met acquaintances who involved Renee in their "long" conversation and in every possible way did not let her go from them. "Damn it, it's a disease," Rick whispered softly to Andrew. The blond man did not answer anything, but only shook his head and agreed. Indeed, the dialogue between the two people went on for at least ten minutes. And if an elderly woman got caught? There's nothing to talk about at all. It won't take her an hour to figure out everything from "A" to "Z". Plus, there are conversations about personal life: how is life, plans for the future, is it okay with work? "Yes, yes!.. Everything is fine, thank you," Renee finally shouted to the woman. She approached the guys with a listlessly surprised face and added, "I'll die if someone else gets in the way and decides to start a conversation with me." Rick laughed, and Andrew forced a barely visible smile. "It's not that scary, is it?" Rick asked. "It's not scary, but you'll be shoveling at work for me," Renee replied, crossing the yellow line on the asphalt, drawn in chalk, "especially since you, Rick, are late. And not for some ruthless five minutes, but for fifteen priceless ones." "Or a little more," added Minyard, after which he caught the red—haired man's eye, "what about? Am I not telling the truth?" Rick was visibly sulking. He crossed his arms over his chest and stopped while Minyard began to parade him.

—

"Come on, come on! Carcasses, carcasses!" Rick said, turning on his side. "And what am I doing?!" Andrew gave a little cry. "Seriously, Rick, are we two on the same team and we can't handle a girl?" Renee laughed a little and continued to play, thereby rebuffing the guys. They were playing the same game, Walker had the bigger score: twenty-seven points. The guys had only fourteen, even though they were playing together. Rick even sometimes said "Two against one is not fair". And Renee partly talked him out of it and now she was counting higher than them. In all six rounds, Andrew uttered about three phrases, and Rick and Walker had a whole lively conversation. In the middle of the match, the guys managed to overtake Renée by as many as eight points. But closer to the finale, Renee beat them clean. The score was justified: forty—nine points in favor of Renée, and thirty-six points in a mini-favor for the guys. After playing enough, the guys gathered in an organized manner, said goodbye and went home. Everything is as usual, but without Rene's cocktail. She hugged both Rick and Andrew, and then said in a barely audible voice: "Tomorrow morning, so that we can be… And yes, Rick, don't be late, okay?" Before Walker disappeared, the restaurant was closed — it was not working. There were various assumptions in the news, but none of them were true. Two weeks passed, and people became more and more outraged about why it was closed. Sometimes journalists also came, who, when they met Andrew or Rick, did not let them go on calmly, but only filled up with a bunch of questions. And neither Minyard nor the red-haired man knew the exact answer to the questions, because even they did not know where Renee was then. "I'll try, but I can't promise," Rick replied. Andrew just nodded and headed out with Rick, but then they somehow turned to each other at the same time and stopped. Andrew turned to Renee first, but Rick started the conversation first, without even really turning to the girl: "Renee, are you sure you're going to walk home alone?" "Well, anything is possible. Don't piss, I called a taxi," Walker replied, glancing from one guy to the other. Then Andrew certainly waved and somehow quickly left. Neither Renee nor Rick found this strange. The guy shrugged and also headed for the exit, leaving the girl alone. Meanwhile, Minyard had just moved seven meters away, Rick shouted after him, not very audibly, "See you later," and Andrew turned around and just waved back. He did not say anything superfluous, because there is neither time nor energy for this. Everything is as usual.

—

"Home, sweet home," Minyard said to himself, entering a small room. Taking off his sneakers, he went straight into the room, as he always does, and, stretching as if he had just woken up, lay down with his back up on the bed. He immediately closed his eyes and tried to sleep, although not dreaming of success, but everything gradually darkened, and Andrew fell asleep. In his dream, he hoped for only one thing: at least no one would call. No, well, what about it? You sleep, you don't touch anyone, and they call in the middle of the night. The hours passed, and Andrew was asleep. He didn't care that someone might come into his house and steal something -the door was closed, but not locked. He just wanted to get some sleep, because they had agreed on a working day tomorrow. Minyard would have come anyway, but if the restaurant was closed again, he, Andrew, would have given up on him and gone on to sleep. Rick would have come, and if no one was at the restaurant, and the institution itself would have been closed, then this insidious creature would have started calling both the director, Andrew, and Renee to the extent that they would not explain the reason for the closure, why no one was there, because it was already working hour and much more.