— “Just give me what you can. We’ll call it even.” — “But it’s not enough.” — “It’s plenty.” He began to eat, and Annie saw the relief in his eyes.
The other guests were watching closely now. Many were nodding in approval. But Sophie wasn’t finished. She walked over to the man’s table. — “Enjoying yourself?” she asked with a sharp edge. — “Yes, thank you.”
— “Do you have any idea what people are saying about you?” — “Sophie!” Annie warned. — “What do they think of a man who spends three days begging in a place like this?” — “Sophie, stop it!”
— “They think you’re a leech taking advantage of a girl who’s too naive to say no!” — “That’s not true!” Annie stepped in. — “It is true! Look around!” Sophie raised her voice. — “They’re looking at you with disgust!”
In reality, the guests looked more disgusted with Sophie’s behavior than the man’s presence. — “Sophie, shut up right now!” Annie demanded. — “No! Someone has to protect the standards of this place!” — “Standards? You’re the one acting like a child!”
— “I’m the one being realistic! This man doesn’t belong with ‘decent’ people.” — “Decent people don’t kick others when they’re down.” — “And smart people don’t waste their time on lost causes.”
The argument was now the center of attention in the dining room. The man sat with his head down, clearly embarrassed. — “Ladies,” he said softly. “Please, don’t fight. I’ll leave.” — “You’re not going anywhere,” Annie said firmly. — “You’re our guest.” — “He’s not a guest!” Sophie yelled. “He’s a bum!”
— “That’s enough!” Annie snapped. “Stop humiliating him.” — “I’m telling the truth!” — “Your ‘truth’ is cruel, Sophie.”
Mrs. Miller walked back into the room, drawn by the shouting. — “What is going on?” she asked, looking at the mess. — “Mrs. Miller,” Sophie started. “I couldn’t take it anymore! Annie is making a scene over this… person.”
— “I didn’t start the scene,” Annie countered. “I was defending a customer from harassment.” — “Harassment?!” Sophie cried. “I was being honest!” — “You were being a bully.”
— “Quiet!” Mrs. Miller commanded. — “Both of you, in my office. Now.” She turned to the man. — “Sir, I am deeply sorry for this disturbance. Your meal is on the house.” — “Thank you, but I should go.” — “I insist.”
In the office, Mrs. Miller sat behind her desk. Annie, Sophie, and Ed stood before her. — “Explain yourselves,” Mrs. Miller said. — “Annie has been feeding this man for three days,” Sophie began. “It’s bad for business. We’re a high-end brand. This isn’t what people pay for.”
— “And you, Annie?” — “I believe people pay for a good experience, and part of that is knowing they’re in a place with values. This man was hungry and kind. Why shouldn’t we help him?” — “It’s not our job to save the world,” Sophie argued.
— “It’s our job to be human,” Mrs. Miller said, surprising them all. “I don’t want this restaurant to be known only for its wine list. I want it to be known for its character.” Sophie was speechless. — “But the reputation…”
— “The decision is made. If this man returns, he is to be treated with the same respect as a CEO. Sophie, if I hear another word of disrespect toward any guest, you will be terminated. Am I clear?” — “Yes, Mrs. Miller.”
As they left the office, Sophie felt she had lost the battle, but she was still convinced she was right. Annie, however, was worried about what the next day would bring. The morning meeting was set for 9:00 AM, an hour before opening. The entire staff was gathered in the dining room. The air was thick with anticipation.
Mrs. Miller sat at a central table, with an empty chair beside her. — “Team,” she began. “Yesterday’s incident was a wake-up call for this restaurant.” Sophie sat with her chin up, still ready to defend her ‘professionalism.’ — “Sophie, give us your final thoughts,” Mrs. Miller invited.
— “Mrs. Miller,” Sophie said confidently. “We are an elite establishment. Allowing people who can’t pay to take up space ruins the atmosphere for our real clients. It’s a matter of standards. We aren’t a charity.” — “I see. Annie?”
— “I think our ‘real’ clients are anyone who walks through that door with a need. If we lose our compassion to protect an ‘atmosphere,’ then the atmosphere isn’t worth protecting.” — “Two very different views,” Mrs. Miller noted. — “Let’s hear from one more person.”
She stood up and walked toward the front door. — “Mrs. Miller?” Sophie asked, confused. “Who else is there?”
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