Prompt by:Writer pilgrim Substack:Prompt Station
Picture Prompt
Photo by:Writer Pilgrim by So Elite: blingnotbling.substack.com
“Could I please make a reservation for table number one?” came the voice through the phone speaker.
Kathy looked up from her place by the bar over at table number one. “I’m sorry but that table is fully booked today.”
“No…” she heard from the other end of the phone. “I need that table.”
“I’m sorry but our reservations for that table are fully booked. We could accommodate you at another table.”
“No!” came back emphatically. “It has to be that table. I love that table.”
“Yeah, you and many other people,” Kathy thought to herself.
“Do you have an opening for tomorrow?” the voice asked exasperated
Kathy checked her bookings. “I have one opening for tomorrow.”
“I’ll take it.”
“It’s at 9 am.”
“Doesn’t matter. As long as it is that table.”
“That it is,” Kathy replied.
“And those salt and pepper shakers that look like they were made from kitchen backsplashes?”
“They are on the table.”
“You just made my day.”
Kathy took down the pertinent information. “See you tomorrow,” Kathy said as she hung up. She eyed the occupied table as the waitress presented the bill to the customer.
The waitress picked up the shakers and returned them to the bar. “Another satisfied customer. Here are the shakers,” the waitress said as she placed them on the bar.
“It’s too bad that we have to keep an eye on them like that,” replied Kathy. “If we only had other sets we could fill up more tables instead of having one fully booked all day.”
“People are moved by them,” added the waitress. “It’s like they are magical.”
“It is one of many descriptions,” said Kathy.
“It’s funny that it is always one person sitting at that table.”
“Everyone who requests that table has the reservation for themselves,” Kathy said as she handed the busboy the shakers to set them on the empty table. She shook her head. “If people only knew,” she mused.
To Be Continued
Single reservation. Why would people want to dine alone?
Those are great looking shakers. Now I am eager to read part two of the story.