Regina opened the door to the small restaurant. The smell of homemade greeted her before the hostess did. It almost made her miss Maine, almost.
"Morning, or rather good afternoon. Just one?" The hostess was all smiles.
"Yes, just one." Regina said then followed the girl to a table near the window. Regina sat down and removed the knives and almost pulled crayons out of her purse. But she stopped herself. 'You are dinning alone and working here.' Regina shook her head.
"So our specials are the Oreo milkshake and fired onion rings. Your server will be right you." The hostess handed her the menu and walked away. Regina swore she heard whistling.
According to the file, the sweet whistling hostess was Mary Margaret Blanchard. She was hard working and caring. Regina bit back a smile. She had been the same way, once upon a time. Until life got tough and she got tougher.
"Can I get your drink order?" The raven haired waitress asked. Regina slightly jumped in her seat, she hadn't even heard her approach. Those were good skills.
"Just a water with a lemon and I am going to try the onion rings.:
"Coming right up."
Regina smiled. Onion rings that she would pair with a salad. Regina MacIntosh was slightly vain.
The food came out and it wasn't half bad. Maybe she would return with the others. It mostly depended on the outcome of the recruit.
"How is everything?" The server was back. Her name was Ruby. She asked her question was asked when Regina was half way through her salad.
"Excellent. Just curious, when does your shift end?"
Ruby stared at the woman confused. Here sat a very confident woman in a business suit. What could she possibly want to talk about? Maybe it was a job opportunity. Something better than this restaurant, maybe something involving travel. "Fifteen minutes. What is this about?"
"Your future." Regina answered.
Well, that peaked her interest. Ruby needed time to go faster, she needed to know why the woman wanted to talk to her. She was interested in her future.
Finally she clocked out and slid into the chair across from the woman.
"Regina Macintosh, I work for an organization that is looking to expand. Would you be interested?"
"I only have server experience and a certificate in travel and tourism." Ruby told her straight out. As curious as she was and as ready as she was, there were limits on her skill set.
"Those are assets, ones that would benefit Bow and Arrow."
"Bow and Arrow? The insurance company that I always walk past? It's not just a mock up? The place never looks open, it's always dark and silent and empty."
"Bow and Arrow is fully operational." Regina informed her.
Ruby thought about it. Even though she knew nothing about insurance, she knew in her gut these was something more that Regina wasn't telling her. And Ruby didn't care, she just wanted out.
There was just one thing holding her back. "My sister is very protective, she wouldn't let me go." Ruby felt so stupid, still being under the very watchful eye of her sister.
But Regina didn't see it as an issue at all. "I'm extending the offer to your sister as well."
Relief swept over Ruby, that was a huge step in the right direction. "Her shift ends in ten minutes, do you want to talk to her also?"
"Of course. And I'm going to skip dessert." Regina said before the waitress could bring up the topic. Regna had self-control and a fresh baked apple pie at home.
"I'll have her bring the check." Ruby smiled as she left the table. She could smell a change in the wind, a new beginning.
Mary Margaret had received odd instructions from Ruby about the woman at table G32. Clock out and then bring the check to woman wanted to discuss something with her. What could a complete stranger want to talk to her about?
Mary Margaret finally sat down slightly confused. "Hello, is something wrong?" She asked.
"No, not at all. I was just wondering if you were interested in a career change? Something away from the restaurant business?" Regina asked.
Mary Margaret's heart skipped a beat. Of course she wanted to get out of the restaurant business. She hated it but never told Ruby how much she hated it. "What do I need to do? What does the job entail?"
"Well, the job would be part time, unless you want more. It's a high pay and very important work Here's my card. If you are interested, stop by my office Monday morning at nine. I hope to see the both of you there." Regina stood up and left.
Mary Margaret stared at the card. Insurance? What did she and Ruby know about insurance?