Quick Change

Quick Change

Do you ever wonder why you're so unlucky? Why everyone else seems to have life figured out? We spend hours, even days, comparing ourselves to others, or at least I do. I am caught in this constant dream state of overnight success, a way to get me out of debt, all while having visions of Bora Bora as if I could afford a break from reality. Ha.

The truth is, I can barely afford my 343 square foot apartment. I know, I know, why did I sign the lease? The American dream, that's why. Struggle for a bit, and we all get rich in the end! Thanks, public school education, for that lie. I had a plan at one point; then I had a party and another party until every night became a party. I guess that's my affordable vacation from reality and my plans for now.

My life isn't all dreary; I have made some friends along the way. Good and bad, mostly associates. I do have my best friend, though, Abby. AKA Abs. I gave her the nickname as she gave me mine. We both hate our real names. She calls me Lil. Yes, it's short for Lillian. Do you see what I mean now? Why we needed nicknames?

We met two years ago at our current full-time job serving craft cocktails and tapas all week long. We both adapted to the lifestyle quickly, hustle and chill. Those are the two guidelines when working at a 4 star rated restaurant. You're in, and you're out. It sounds simple but believe it or not; Not everyone can handle the concept, but for the quick change in this city, fast cash every night, it at least pays the interest on my student loans. That's way more than what my degrees were doing for me.

It's Friday which means work will be busy. I have my coffee, five espresso shots over ice, my black moleskin journal, which doubles as my server book, and six freshly opened Pilot G2 gel pens. I am ready to roll, which's odd because I picked up this shift. I need the money, and it's not so bad because I work with Abs for the first time in weeks. I'm surprised my manager approved the pick-up shift. He stopped scheduling Abs and me together because of "fraternization." Please. Every job has its pros and cons, right?

My first table is always a warm-up. Every first table still feels like the very first table. I have a table of two older gentlemen to start things off in this case. They're straightforward, Bourbon neat, two iced water glasses with a Caprese to start. I like the idea of short interactions that pay me, but this one is shorter than usual. These guys already asked for their check. The appetizer hasn't gone out yet, but my job isn't analytics. I doubt I'll make anything off of them.

The seemingly eldest of the two said no change when I walked by as he abruptly grabbed his belongings and left as the other man chased after him. I don't know what that was all about, but I know he took my book and left his black book behind. So yeah, no tip; also, that's my journal. I should've never mixed work with pleasure.

I need to vent to Abs and chug a diet coke. I can't believe he swapped our books. What's in this thing anyway? The pages appear blank, but there's something hidden in the back pouch. Wait a minute, what is this? No way, there's got to be about 50 blank checks back here, all signed by a "John D. Gossman." Well, hold on, not all completely blank. I found one shuffled in the middle that isn't made out to anyone, but it is in the amount of twenty-THOUSAND dollars.

I'm bee-lining straight to the server station right to Abs. I'll try not to get too loud about this.

"Hey, you're not going to believe this...but those guys that were sitting at table five left me twenty-thousand dollars."

Abby rapidly responds, "What are you talking about? Wait..you're serious right now, aren't you?"

"Shhhhhh. Cash-out that lovely family and meet me in the bathroom, stat."

She's not going to believe this. I mean, I don't either. What do I do? What would you do? This would change my entire life. My rent would be paid for the rest of the year, I could focus on myself again. The me I want to be. I could take a trip! I could pay off my car loan. I could.

Abby barges into the bathroom stall.

"Hey, weirdo, what the heck is happening?"

"A guy at that table took my book and left me theirs."

Abby says,

"Was it an accident?"

"Man, I want to say I don't know the answer to that. It's filled with blank checks. They're all signed off. I could be rich! You could be rich! We could be rich! Let's ditch."

Abby calmly interrupts,

"Ok, slow down. This is strange, extremely strange. You said those men left you twenty-thousand dollars."

"They did. Well, there's one particular check that has only the dollar amount filled out, and it's 20k."

Abby whispers

"Ok, he didn't intentionally leave you his book. Listen, is there any information in the book? A number or an address? A point of contact?"

"No, dude, there's nothing. I think this is a sign from the universe. Life is finally giving me a break. I can finally get ahead."

Abby replies,

"Or you can end up in jail for check fraud, Lil. Listen, I've got to get back to work, and so do you. I think you should keep quiet about this and sit on it. Don't cash that check, or any of them for that matter, Lillian."

Geez, why does Abs have to always be so sensible? I mean, I've watched plenty of movies. I can get a passport, I can cash a few of these checks, and change my life. That's what I want. That's what we all want, right? Change. It's so close. It's in my hands.

Maybe Abs is right. I should be patient, see if the guy comes around. If I had it my way, I'd leave right now and head to the bank first thing tomorrow morning. If that guy confidently walks around with this many signed blank checks, he must be loaded.

What a night. I'm finally getting out of here, and I haven't said a word to anyone but Abs. I know my secret is safe with her but is it safe with me? Oh, morality. I have to get some sleep. This is draining.

So, much for sleep! I was up all night. Shuffling the checks like a deck of playing cards. Imagining tossing them above my head and letting the wonder of possibility fill the air of my bedroom. I don't feel as optimistic about my escape plan today. Mainly because I have a missed call from my manager. That's never a promising start to the day, and he left a voicemail asking me to come in as soon as possible. Great. So much for the barely affordable brunch!

Off to the races, as they say. I'll keep this book close by me. A 4-hour shift, I can swing. Day shift is slow, and I could use the quiet chaos to clear my head.

Yep, literally, no one here, and here comes my boss, Ryland.

Ryland approaches,

"Hey Lil, you had table 5 last night, right? Two guys. Bourbon drinkers."

"Yeah, Yeah, I kind of remember them. Why?"

Ryland replies,

"Well, a Mr. Gossman called this morning and left his number. He said he left a little black book at your table. Did you happen to pick it up?"

"No...you know I always turn in lost and found at the end of the night."

Ryland responds,

"I know, I know you do. I told him that. I guess I'll have to call him and let him know his book wasn't left here. Thank you. Oh, and I didn't need you to work today. You wouldn't answer your phone, and I needed this addressed. Apparently, Mr. Gossman is one of our investors. So, any issue he has, we must make sure it's treated with the utmost respect and highest priority. Have fun today."

"Oh..ok. Thanks, Ryland. Glad I could help."

Oh no, what have I done? Why would I lie? I have to get out of here. What is going on? Mr. Gossman just walked in; I have to stop this. Ryland is about to tell him I lied.

"Hello, Mr. Gossman?"

Ryland interjects,

"Hi, Lillian, you can go. I was just...

"Mr. Gossman, I have something of yours. Mr. Gossman!"

Mr. Gossman turns to me and puts his hand out slowly, takes the little black book from my loosened grip, and says,

"I forgot to leave you a tip last night."

Mr. Grossman reaches into his book and pulls out the twenty-thousand dollar check, and says,

"I read your journal. I know I shouldn't have, but maybe you had the same feeling fighting with right from wrong when you found my checks, and I know we're different people, but the goodness in us makes us equal, and for that, you're not unlucky. You're just right."