Day 2 – Noon (2) – Lunch with Preston & Annabelle

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston smiled to Annabelle then looked over at Grace.

Preston: Ah yes, Grace, you and Annabelle have more in common by further thought, with the fact that Annabelle is expecting a child as well. You could come with some comforting words on the subject, ah, some word of advice.

[Malvin Gormley]

Not too far away Mr. Gormley had just finished taking his second order after having given Mrs. Robinson her biscuit. He had never in his life been more stressed and the café wasn’t even overbooked. He looked down on the first order and sighed, thinking this was a nightmare come true. While walking to prepare what he had never done before, he glanced up and was instantly relieved when he caught site of Cassandra who had just arrived. He walked as fast as he could towards her.

Malvin: Oh Cassandra, a relief you are here. You wouldn’t by any chance know how to make scramble eggs?

He took a deep breath, trying to overcome this pressure that he wasn’t use to.

Malvin: Mr. Lodge gave me this assignment to run the café for the next half hour.



He looked quickly at his pocket watch.

Malvin: Oh thank goodness, now it’s only 20 minutes.

A tall rough man walked up to Gormley, having an unhappy expression.

Customer: Hey you, when will my eggs be ready?

Malvin: They are on the way I assure you….(he lowered his voice) I hope…

Customer: What’s that?

Malvin: Nothing,…I-I…I’ll have those eggs ready for you in a few minutes.

Customer: They better be…

The man turned and walked away and took a seat again, seeming very impatient.

Malvin: Oh dear…

[Cassandra O'Neill]

Cassandra looked to the eggs and rose an eyebrows unsure of what she was seeing.

Cassandra: You will never achieve with that.

She pick up a wooden sthingy and tried to repair the cooking while looking at Malvin.

Cassandra: Mr. Lodge assigned you at the Café? But, for who he think he is?



She pick up the salt and the pepper on the other side of Malvin and lowered her voice.

Cassandra: He didn't own this town! I have a lot of respect for Mr. Lodge and you Mr. Gormley at the hotel by being my superior there, but your place isn't there and Mr. Lodge should take care of his business instead of peek into others.

She verse the egg on a plate, added some potatoes before pick up 3 plates of food, one with 4 drink glasses on it and started to walk toward the impatients customers.

[Malvin Gormley]

Malvin followed quickly Cassandra, being silent in his word. He agreed with everything she said, but was afraid to comment it, knowing what he had been through.
Gormley put out his hand, pointing to another table, after Cassandra had given the meal of scramble eggs to the impatient man.

Malvin: That couple ordered the other meal.

As Cassandra began walking towards them, the man who had just received his meal looked up and turned his head towards Cassandra.

Customer: Hey, how about a refill missy.

The man held up his coffee cup, waving it in the air. Malvin did not like this man’s attitude and especially when it was brought upon Cassandra.

Malvin: I will get you that refill sir.

He turned and walked hasty towards the warm coffee pot, taking it and moved without eye contact towards the man and filled his cup.

Customer: Since when did you start working here?



Malvin sighed and then made eye contact.

Malvin: My involvement with the café is only for today.

Gormley turned and walked away, not wishing to have any further conversation with this man.

[Daisy Carmen Miller]

Daisy entered the café for the second time, having forgotten her bonnet. She glanced around and after some time spotted it. When she finally retrieved it and put it back on her head, a woman behind her at a table waved at her with a smile.

Caroline: Daisy! It’s been a long time. Why don’t you come over and talk, I have lots to tell.

Daisy: Well, alright then.

Even though Daisy was full from her last meal, she couldn’t refuse her friend and was interested in knowing the latest news. She took a sit at the table which was located right behind where Preston, Annabelle and Grace were seated.

Caroline: Oh, I must tell you first, poor Mrs. Voss’s husband passed away a couple of days ago.

Daisy: No, you don’t say.

Caroline: Well, I’m just worried how she will survive without him.

Preston overheard the two women’s conversation and interest came to his ear.

Daisy: I’m sure she’ll manage, just like all us others widows.

Caroline: I hope you’re right.

Daisy: Let’s bring a visit to her this afternoon. She would need someone to talk with.

Caroline: Yes, lets.

Caroline looked down at her coffee and then up at Daisy.

Caroline: Do you want a cup of coffee before we head over to Mrs. Voss? Mine is half full, but I would think you would want something.

Daisy: Well, I guess I could drink another cup.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston was having one huge smile on his face, not that he was glad of Mrs. Voss’s loss, but now he could see plans of his becoming a reality. He interrupted Grace while standing up.

Preston: If you’ll have me excused for a few minutes. Please, do continue your conversation.

He turned and took a seat right next to Daisy and Caroline.

Preston: Ladies, I hope you don’t mind my company.

Daisy: Not at all.

Daisy looked confused, but interested in why the banker would choose to sit at their table.

Caroline: You’re always welcome to sit with us Mr. Lodge.

Daisy: You must be a busy man..



Preston: Well yes, but I do get by. Forgive me, but I couldn’t help but overhear something about Mr. Voss having passed away?

Caroline: It’s terrible, just terrible. That poor Mrs. Voss, I hope she manages to get through this.

Preston: Ah yes, she has my sincere condolences. Most unfortunate she’s alone now with no children to take care of her husband’s legacy.

Daisy: Oh don’t you worry, she’ll get by. Well, we’ll be there to help her in this time.

Preston: Miss Miller? By any chance you could let Mrs. Voss know that I would like to discuss a personal matter.

Caroline: You are not thinking of marrying her, are you?

Preston: Oh no, that is not my intension. It is merely a matter of business, to help her in this unfortunate situation.

Daisy: And anyone can also see that Mr. Lodge is more than half the age younger than Mrs. Voss.

Caroline: Yes, I don’t know what came over me - it was just an instant remark. Forgive me Mr. Lodge. Daisy and I would of course let Mrs. Voss know that you wish to speak with her.

Preston: No hard feelings and thank you. I appreciate your willingness.

Caroline caught site of Mr. Gormley walking by and quickly waved her hand for him to come over.

Caroline: Young man, please we would like to order now.

Malvin walked towards the table noticing Preston and felt uncomfortable.

Malvin: Yes..

Caroline: One coffee for Daisy here, and…

She looked at Preston unsure.

Caroline: Anything for you Mr. Lodge?

Preston: No thank you, I have ordered a while ago.

Caroline: One coffee then, and nothing more.

Malvin: Alright, I’ll have that ready in just a moment.

Preston: Nicely played Mr. Gormley. I knew you had it in you. I might just consider letting you have more work like this at the chateau.



Malvin: Oh no, that is not necessary…I mean..ah..

Daisy: I thought I recognized him. You work at the bank don’t you?

Preston: Not for long. Today is his last day. He will be working fulltime at my hotel for a year to come.

Malvin: But I will be back in my position at the bank after the year of change.

Preston: Mr. Gormley, how about getting Miss Miller her coffee….

Malvin: Yes sir..

Malvin walked quickly away feeling more than saddened with uncertainty of his future.

Preston: As much as I would have enjoyed a further conversation, I best be returning to my own table. Give my heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Voss.

Caroline: We will.

As Preston stood up, Daisy lowered her head towards Caroline and whispered quickly in her direction.

Daisy: What a polite, well-mannered man.

Caroline gave her friend a smirk of a cheesy smile while Preston left the table and returned to his own, where Annabelle and Grace seemed to be enjoying each others company.

[Cassandra O'Neill]

Annabelle: It seem never by annoying there at the Café, no?

Grace smiled to Annabelle while looking toward Gormley, not so sure that the man was at ease with the job.

Casandra passed near their table for bring the chocolat cake to Mr. Carson table, when a dog, coming from no where run into the restaurant and rush into Cassandra feet.

Under the surprise, the waitress stumble, trying in vain to keep her stability. Unfortunatly, the cake drop out of the plate and fall on Preston clothes, which was coming back to the table.



Cassandra was speechless when she noticed that Mr. Lodge was the victim of the chocolat cake - anyone else, but not the boss, she thought to herself.

Cassandra: I... I...

And at the next table, we coudl heard some grumble with sigh.

Mrs. Robinson: And that said herself a waitress? A chance it wasn't me or this place would have heard of me!

Mary Robinson finaly stood up for left the Café and talked to herself..

Mrs. Robinson: I see enought for today here.

[Grace]

Grace stood up immedialty, while pick up a linen in her apron for tend it to Preston.

Grace: Yes, like you said Mrs. Emerson.

Grace tried to smile friendly to Annabelle but didn't want to offend Preston.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston was shocked when Cassandra bumbled into him with a cake. Unfortunately some of the cake came on Preston’s hand that he yesterday hurt at the boarding house. Now he only whished he had kept his bandages on. The cake that had gotten on his injured hand began to sting. Preston grinned, beginning to feel the sharp pain. While trying to remove some of the cake, he glanced at Cassandra annoyed.

Preston: Didn’t you notice I was right in front of you?



His pain continued stinging and it didn’t help the situation.

Preston: What were you thi....

He suddenly caught site of Annabelle following the situation intense, and he stopped his sentence immediately. He glanced at Cassandra again, still having an annoyed expression.

Preston: You better clean up this mess before causing any further attention.

While having eye-contact once more with Annabelle, he stepped a few steps closer towards her, keeping the pain and humiliation inside him.

Preston: I’m sorry Annabelle, but I think its best we leave now.

While noticing his own meal and Annabelle’s meal half completed, he turned his glance once more towards Cassandra.

Preston: While you’re at it, you best clean this table as well. Thanks to you I haven’t been able to touch my meal and my guest has been only able to complete half her meal.

He glanced towards Grace who seemed sad how the situation had turned out.

Preston: Grace, Annabelle and I had hoped to stay longer, but as you can see, I’m in no position to stay any longer. I’m sorry. I hope you and Annabelle will have a talk at some later point.

He glanced at Annabelle and continued his glance towards the people who had gathered or turned their heads just to see this small unfortunate situation. Among the small crowd was Mr. Gormley who was afraid to step closer, thinking he might get blamed as well. Preston noticed Gormley and made eye contact.

Preston: Mr. Gormley, your service here is no longer required. If you’d be so kind to follow Annabelle and I.

Not sure why his employer needed his assistance, Malvin followed Preston and Annabelle, but at the same time felt relieved that he didn’t had to work at the café, which was not a place he was familiar with.
As Preston, Gormley and Annabelle walked away from the café, having the bank in their direction, Preston began feeling much better, having left the place. He let Annabelle take the lead while walking side of Malvin. His thoughts were now a different place and he just had to share some of it. He leaned his head to the side, in Malvin’s direction, while keeping his voice low, almost like he was whispering.

Preston: Just to let you know........ Someone recently passed away.



Malvin: Who?

Preston: Old-man Voss.

Malvin: The storehouse owner?

Preston: Precisely.

**Continues at the bank: Click Here**

[Grace]

Grace looked at Preston leaving the Café then noticed Cassandra annoying.

Grace: It serves him, always so pretentious. You are one of my best assitant at the Café, don't care of what he could said.

Grace tried to comfort the young woman - she didn't want lost her at this time, sheneeded her help at the Café.

Grace: You should serve this people there, I will take care of this mess.