Penny climbed the stairs to her apartment with a spring in her step. Things were finally going her way. She'd used the business manifesto that Sheldon had created for her Penny Blossoms business as a template and altered it to fit her new business plan. The executor had been impressed- enough to give her the money. or access to it anyway. After some back and forth, they had agreed that the venture would be overseen until her birthday. So she wasn't getting a lump sum, but all she had to do to get the money was show up with a statement of what she needed, and a money order would be sent straight to the distributors, lease agents, etc.
The Cheesecake Factory had six months left on their lease, and they had been happy to sign it over to her once her business registration had come in,; she'd even got a deal on it! Not only that, but she had been able to purchase the kitchen equipment as well, though she had sprung for a new dish sanitizer, which would be installed once The Cheesecake Factory officially closed.
One of the chefs had decided to move to another town, but the two others had agreed to stay on, as well as a few of wait staff. Her request for a liquor license was still pending, so for the first month or so there would be no bar, but that was fine. It was a miracle that she had gotten as much done in the last two weeks as she had. It had been long hours, time on the phone, research on the internet late into the night to the point of barely sleeping, but she hardly felt tired because the idea of being in control of her own destiny, finally, was so invigorating. Her aunt was a daily source of support and advice, and all the organizational plans and spending spread sheets that the boys had made her over the years were coming in handy now, not to mention the many episodes of Kitchen Nightmares she had viewed over the years. Now that it was a sure thing, green light from all sides, the first thing she was doing was reducing the menu.
In the next two weeks, she had to have a meeting with the chefs, decide which dishes they would specialize in, come up with a few deserts, and get the new menu's made. She had already chosen a name, it was kind of corny, but it had special meaning for her, every menu and the sign outside would be adorned with 'Tuesday's Place' in a silvery blue script. The sign of course, would not go up until after Sheldon was in the building, or else he might not come in at all.
So far, she had managed to keep it from him. She wasn't even sure why it was such a big deal that she should, but she wanted it to be a surprise. To prove that she not only could do something, but that she could make a success out of it. It would be validation. Maybe she didn't graduate college, maybe she hadn't made it big as an actress, maybe she didn't build crappers for outer space, but she was the owner of a restaurant. She was taking the initiative.
Howard knew, because of Bernadette, but he'd promised to not tell, on threat of Bernadette bringing a toxic virus and infecting him with it, and also because his uncle owned a hardware store, and Penny wanted to be able to get a discount on paint there. She wasn't going to be able to change everything, but a nice coat of white on the walls and ceiling would do wonders. The Cheesecake Factory was scheduled to close on a Wednesday, she would open on the Saturday. Two days to deep clean and disinfect and paint. Her aunt and Dad were flying in to help, and the wait staff would be there as well,. She would be paying them, but it was important to get a new group feeling established as soon as possible.
As her steps lead her to her door, she knew that she would love to have the boys help too, but they would mostly just be in the way, Raj had probably never lifted a paint roller in his life, and both Howard and Leonard were too short and, she had to admit, more likely to go hide in the bathroom with their computers. Sheldon would be valuable in the cleaning though, especially in the kitchen. She'd have to see if she could come up with a way for him to help without finding out, although it did seem kind of like tricking someone into wrapping their own birthday present.
"Penny?" The voice interrupted her thoughts. She spun around, blinking, hoping she hadn't been talking aloud.
Sheldon had his head out the door of his apartment. "Are you coming over for Thai tonight? You've been scarce lately and there is the matter of extra rolls."
She smiled. "Yup, give me a minute and I'll be right over."
He nodded and continued looking at her, like he had something on his mind.
She sighed, "What?'
"You missed Halo night."
Penny winced. She'd been so busy.. "Ah, yeah, sorry about that Sheldon, I've been really busy at work lately." A light bulb flickered in her brain and she grinned. "I've been promoted."
"Oh good." He perked up noticeably. "Now you'll be able to do something about the brand of ketchup you carry. I've sent hundreds of emails about it."
"Well, send me one then, with the information about the better product, and I will see what I can do." She replied seriously, opening her apartment door and stepping in, smirking. Her acting lessons might still come in handy after all.
