DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Dawn of Revolution

The Waitress, part 2

Just as the morning sun was rising, Mozzie marched down the street, cutting a path straight through the babbling crowds toward Upscale Cuisine in the upper-class residential area. Like usual, she knocked on the restaurant's employee entrance at the side, and the wooden door creaked inward.

"Huh? Mozzie?" one of the cooks said, blinking in surprise. "I thought your next shift was tomorrow."

"It is," Mozzie said. "But I have business with the boss. May I please see him? It can't wait."

"Oh. Yeah, he's in his office," the cook said, jerking his head toward Upscale Cuisine's back rooms. "But be careful, Mozzie. You know how he is."

"Thank you. I will," Mozzie said with a quick smile. She hoped she didn't look as nervous as she felt! Then, Mozzie found Cobalt preparing stacks of plates and utensils in one corner of the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mozzie. This is unexpected," the warforged dishwasher said. "Did you pick up an extra shift?"
"I've got business with the boss. And I think you do, too," Mozzie told him, lowering her voice. The chefs were making a real racket preparing for today's food, but still, best to not be overheard.

Cobalt blinked his glowing eyes. "Ah. Does this concern the boss's unusual behavior and the suspected trouble?"

"It does, and I'm facing him no matter what. Will you help me?"
"This is commendable, but risky, Mozzie."

"We stand a better chance together. And if two employees threaten to quit, that may give us leverage. Even more of we can get more staff to join us."

"I don't relish the possibility of job termination," Cobalt admitted. "However, your passion inspires me, Mozzie. I have the impression you are ready to face any odds today and will not back down. I feel I can do no less."

"Does that mean you'll join me?"

Cobalt nodded.

"Make that three," another voice said. Mozzie and Cobalt both jumped.

"Oh, Dojer," Mozzie said, her heart racing in sudden alarm. "Aren't you busy managing the chefs?"

"They've got it under control for now," Dojer said, hands on his hips. "I agree with Cobalt. This is commendable, which is why I'm gonna face the boss with you, too. Even the boss can't casually fire his head chef."

Mozzie smiled wider. "Thank you so much for supporting me, Dojer, Cobalt. I couldn't ask for more."

"This has been a long time coming," Dojer said gruffly. "I mighta done this on my own at some point anyway. If we go down, we go down together."

"Or, we succeed as one," Cobalt offered.

Dojer slapped a hand on Cobalt's shiny back. "Right you are, pal. So, are we doing this?"

Mozzie motioned. "Follow me." She led the way to Riddo Cynesberig's office, then knocked three times.

"What?" Riddo snapped from behind the door.

"May we come in?" Mozzie asked politely.

"Who's we?"

"Myself, Cobalt, and Dojer. We have something to discuss. We're caught up on our duties for now; do you have a moment?"

There was a brief pause. "Get in here. And shut the door behind you."

Mozzie obliged, and she and her two cohorts faced their obviously tense boss in his small office. Riddo looked even bigger seated at his modest desk, scratching his well-trimmed goatee. "Is there a problem?" Riddo asked shortly.

Mozzie clasped her hands behind her back. "Boss, we are ready to risk our jobs to ask you that question as well. For weeks, we have endured harsh treatment at your hand, and we don't know why. We wish for an answer."

Riddo stifled a laugh. "Answers? Is this a jest? I manage this restaurant with a firm hand, Mozzie, to keep it in business! Do you have any inkling how competitive business can be in Sassanoit's better neighborhoods?"
"I do. But Cobalt and Dojer can assure you that they have never faced such aggressive treatment from a boss before."

"Somethin' ain't right, boss," Dojer said firmly, folding his arms. "I've bit my tongue until now to keep the peace. And not risk my job. No more of that."

"I concur," Cobalt said. "Boss, you are clearly in serious distress. And there are no evident signs that Upscale Cuisine is facing typical business problems such as customer complaints or poor customer retention rates."

Riddo snorted. "You think you can run my business better than me, Cobalt? You scrub dishes! Get back there and get my restaurant ready for today!"

"I will remain here," Cobalt said simply.

Riddo blinked. "Now, listen here, Cobalt -"

"I studied business with my father for years," Mozzie cut in. "My sisters and I were practically raised to run the family's trade empire. Perhaps I could review your paperwork?" She pointed at the parchment on Riddo's desk.

Riddo hastily scooped up the papers and held them to his chest. "Nonsense! That is not what I hired you for, Mozzie! And you're not even scheduled for a shift today! Leave my office, or you're fired!"

"If she's fired, I'm quitting," Dojer put in. "Cobalt, too. Can you lose three good employees when things are already so tight?"
"What - no -" Riddo's eyes darted around, as though searching for a sign that Mozzie's crew was just pranking him.

"I don't want you to feel defensive, or feel like you're being attacked, boss," Mozzie said gently. Thank goodness Maggie had taught her some debate and persuasion methods recently! "We only want what's best for all of us. We cannot endure any more mistreatment. But if we solve this together, Upscale Cuisine may be better than ever."

Riddo put on a brave face, but Maggie's training told Mozzie that he was desperate. "My restaurant is fine, Mozzie! No waiter or waitress can question me! You seriously came here on your day off to make accusations?"

Mozzie shook her head. "I am not accusing you, boss. I'm extending an offer for help. And you can help us first by explaining the truth, whatever it may be."

"There is something amiss about this restaurant, boss," Cobalt added. "We only have theories. If you confide the truth with us, we will respect your privacy in the matter as we offer our aid."

"Aid? What can a dishwasher do for me?" Riddo scoffed.

"That may depend on the nature of the problem," Cobalt said plainly.

"And bear in mind, boss, that I'm not just a waitress. I am trained in the ways of business and finance," Mozzie reminded Riddo. "My mind is a powerful tool. Let it help you. I implore you."

"I'd listen to her if I were you, boss," Dojer put in.

Riddo looked over his three employees once again, then sighed and lowered his voice. "You want to know so badly? Knowing the truth might put you in danger."

Mozzie felt a brief thrill in her stomach. "I have faced danger before, boss. I'm stronger than I look, even without my sisters here."

Riddo waited another handful of seconds, then ran a hand over his face and spoke up in a lower voice. "I'm being squeezed for protection money. A lot of it. I can't make the next payment and keep my business running at the same time. And the money's due soon."

Cobalt cocked his head with a click. "Strange. By all accounts, Queen Lorelai has been successful in purging Sassanoit of all major crime syndicates. The Firemane, Darkweep, and Green Scale gangs are all defunct."

"Yeah, well, there's a new one. They call themselves the Bitterblade gang," Riddo said grimly. "I suppose our dear queen is too busy with other matters to catch 'em. Maybe she didn't even notice 'em spring up."

"We can face them," Mozzie said boldly, hands on her hips. "Boss, two of my sisters work in Castle Rhoda with the queen. I can report this, and a small task force may be sent to deal with the Bitterblade gang."

"You think it's so easy?" Riddo shook his head. And his voice was shaking, too. "I tried to defy them, Mozzie. So threatened my wife and son." His blue-green face was going pale, helpless terror shining in his eyes.

Mozzie felt a sympathetic pang in her heart. If any hooligan dirtbags threatened her precious sisters or her father, she would turn Sassanoit upside down to stop them! She took a step forward. "I can discreetly notify my sisters of this, boss. I vow I will formulate a plan to protect you, your restaurant, and your family. Just say the word."

"That's easy for you to say, little lady," Riddo said darkly. "Is your family being threatened?"

Mozzie raised her chin. "Boss, my sisters and I risked everything to flee Sassanoit and join Lorelai's revolution against our father's wishes. That could have been the end of us, but we prevailed." She offered a warm smile. "I should also mention my father taught my sisters and I how to deal with criminals and other troublemakers. In addition, I know how city law works and what the guards are capable of. With your permission, I will assume responsibility for your family and restaurant. If their lives are ever forfeit, then so is mine."

The four of them stood there in tense silence, all while Mozzie's heart hammered in her chest, her palms sweaty. She was confident this would work! No lives had to be lost because of this! But she also stood by her word - if Riddo's wife and son did suffer, she would be honor-bound to offer her own life in return. Mozzie would sooner jump down a dragon's throat than shirk that duty.

Joining Lorelai's revolution had certainly taught her a thing or two about resolve!

"I..." Riddo pursed his lips, his dark eyes distant. Then, he looked up at Mozzie. "You said you can notify your sisters discreetly?"

"I did. And I will do so, if you allow it."

"You are certain you can save my family and restaurant? The Bitterblade gang is formidable."

"I helped Lorelai win a civil war against the royal army and the most dangerous cult Verhamaine has ever seen. Leave it to me."

Riddo stood and bowed his head in respect. "Then I shall, Mozzie. I fear that even if I refused, the Bitterblades might soon take my wife and son hostage or attack my staff. I may have my back to the wall here. If you can offer a way out, and you are certain you can handle it, then this problem is yours to solve."

Mozzie bowed her head in return. "It will be done, boss. I'm deeply grateful that you trust me to handle such a delicate and serious problem."

"Hmph. Well, you're no ordinary waitress, are you?" Riddo said gruffly, folding his arms. "I've heard of your father. I just didn't know you were one of his daughters. What a twist of fate."

Mozzie smiled again. "I must be going, boss. I have a letter to write! I'll send it with the fastest carrier pigeon I can find."

"Very well." Riddo waved his hand at the door. "Be careful, Mozzie, and may the gods watch over us. And Dojer, Cobalt, it's back to work for you. Remember: not a word of this to anyone!"

"You got it, boss. Lips are sealed," Dojer promised. "I gotta get back there and make sure the kitchen's in order." He turned and exited the office, with Cobalt right behind him. Mozzie, meanwhile, gave Riddo a comforting look, then took her leave as well, already brainstorming a draft of that letter in her head as she exited Upscale Cuisine. Murbella needed to see this right away! And if Maggie could help, too, then even better!

It felt good to be back in open sunlight as the morning crowds continued to thicken.

*o*o*o*o*

Not long after Mozzie sent her carefully worded letter to Castle Rhoda with a courier pigeon, she received a reply, which was touching, considering how busy Murbella always was. The moment Mozzie received her youngest sister's reply, she felt a confident smile cross her face. And when she presented the letter and its promises to Riddo Cynesberig, the troubled water genasi agreed to Mozzie's and Murbella's plan. They just had to wait for the next night, when Riddo was due to pay his protection money to the Bitterblade gang.

"We're ready and in position," one of the four city guards told Mozzie in a half-whisper. "We won't let those thugs harm a hair on your boss's head."

Mozzie nodded. "And his wife and son?"

"Already being escorted to a safe location. No gangsters will find them there."

Mozzie sighed with relief. This was already half-done! "Okay. Thank you again for your help. Now, we wait."

There Riddo stood in the cobblestone street under a bright street light, right here in the middle-class business district, where there was practically no foot traffic at all at this late hour. Mozzie had heard from Murbella that for all of Queen Lorelai's efforts to clean up Sassanoit's streets and set up strong welfare programs, much work remained to be done, and countless thousands of citizens still lived on a precarious edge, including the Cynesberig family. Honestly, Mozzie would have been shocked if Sassanoit didn't see another crime gang or two rise to power after the chaos of the civil war.

Mozzie barely heard the quiet whoosh of cloaks in the cool, still night air. She tensed as two figures in dark gray cloaks with their hoods up popped out of the shadows to confront Riddo, one of them with a furry tail, marking them as a tabaxi.

"It's time," the other figure, a woman, stated. She motioned with a gloved hand. "Pay up, Mr. Cynesberig. The Handy Man won't wait any longer for your coins. You're already pushing it."

"Don't forget, we've got a knife to your family's throat," the tabaxi, a man, added. "One wrong move, and ssshkt!" He swiped a clawed finger through the air as though slashing someone's throat.

Riddo played his part and winced in false terror. Well, perhaps it was partly genuine, and Mozzie wouldn't blame him. "Not to worry, fellas. The money is ready."

"Good. Right here," the woman insisted, motioning with her hand.

Riddo held out the white cloth bag in one hand. Then he cried out an arcane word and quickly turned away.

FWASH!

Mozzie shielded her eyes just as the crumpled-up spell scroll in Riddo's bag activated its spell, a blindness spell that instantly seared the two gangsters' eyeballs. They both cried out in alarm and pain, giving the four city guards time to rush over, surround them, and pin them to the ground. Mozzie heard the metallic clicks of iron cuffs locking their wrists together.

"The jig is up, dirtbags," one of the guards sternly told the Bitterblade captives. "And your boss is next. The Queen is really gonna clean up the streets this time."

"Ha. She can try," the tabaxi man sneered, his hood lowered to reveal his light gray fur and piercing yellow eyes. "The Handy Man fears no one. He has eyes and blades in every shadow."

"And Mr. Cynesberig's family is dead meat," the woman added, her cloak lowered to reveal her human face. "If we don't return with the money, the Handy Man will give the signal, and it's lights out! Haha!"

"You're all sick," another guard said darkly. "Get your sorry asses up. You're goin' to the station. Don't worry, we'll save some room for your boss in there."

"Fools," the tabaxi scoffed as he and his companion were escorted away by two of the guards.

Mozzie, meanwhile, stepped forward to greet her boss. "Are you hurt?" she asked.

Riddo shook his head. "I'm fine. My wife and son... I won't see them for another few days, will I?"
"No. We'll have to be careful with your family for now," Mozzie reminded him gently. "I'm sorry again that we have to disrupt your family's life like this. But it's the only way."

Riddo bowed his head. "I owe you much, Mozzie. My whole family does. The next few weeks won't be easy, but it's worth it to escape the threats for more money. I am terribly sorry for how badly I have treated you and the staff. Please understand that I was in great distress. All I could think about was making the next payment."

"I know," Mozzie said kindly. "I forgive you. But could I ask you to find Ferrol and hire him back? And I urge you to reimburse the waiters for the tips you took from them."

Riddo winced. "Yes, I did do that, didn't I? I will make sure Ferrol is back on staff, and everyone will get the gold and silver that they're due. I wish to make Upscale Cuisine a truly exquisite dining establishment for all this time. I want everyone to be proud to work for me."

Mozzie beamed. "I can't wait for my next shift. Will Ferrol get the same hours? I'd like to get to know him better."

Riddo cracked a weary smile. "Yes, his first shift will overlap with yours. He could use a friendly face on his first day back. Now, why don't we get going? It's late."

Mozzie agreed, and off they went, taking care to stick to well-lit streets as the two remaining guards escorted them to their respective homes. Once back in her modest yet furniture-cluttered apartment, Mozzie wasted no time in sending another letter to her family, assuring them that the plan was a success and that she was totally safe. She couldn't help but note that this actually felt like the start of something, and not just the end. The Cynesberig family and Upscale Cuisine were safe, but what came next? Sassanoit would need more than Mozzie's ploys to solve that one. But until then...

"Oh, hey. Good morning, Mozzie," Ferrol said brightly on his first shift back. He already had his waiter apron on as the chefs around him got the day's first meals ready. "Nice to see ya again."

"The pleasure is mine, Ferrol," Mozzie said graciously. "Let's have a wonderful shift together. And..." She felt herself go pink. "This time, um... can we be friends?"

Ferrol gave her a casual nod. "Sure thing. I'd like that."

"Order up for table 7!" Dunsam the chef cried, and Ferrol hurried to get it served. Mozzie watched him go, glad that making sure she didn't mix up plates (or trip!) was now the worst of her worries here at Upscale Cuisine.