“If your concern is professional conflict, counsel will evaluate it.”
“If your concern is that she understood what you said today…”
He paused.
“That is your problem.”
The millionaire looked toward the private room.
The waitress was clearing glasses.
His jaw tightened.
“You don’t know anything about her.”
The chairman smiled faintly.
“Neither did you.”
“That was the entire lesson.”
Then he entered the elevator.
The restaurant manager found the waitress in the service corridor.
“What happened?”
She kept stacking plates.
“Guest made a wager.”
“What kind?”
“Expensive.”
The manager stared.
“Are we getting sued?”
“Possibly him.”
“What did you do?”
“Spoke Mandarin.”
The manager closed her eyes.
“Of course you did.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“No.”
“I’m trying to understand how I employ a certified interpreter and didn’t know.”
“You employ a bartender who has a chemistry degree.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“He tells everyone.”
She smiled.
The manager crossed her arms.
“Are you okay?”
The question landed unexpectedly.
“Yes.”
“That answer came too fast.”
She put down the plates.
“I’m embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“Because I let him make it a performance.”
The manager frowned.
“He made it a performance.”
“I answered.”
“Good.”
“What if tomorrow they think I can’t be neutral?”
“Then another interpreter takes the job.”
The waitress looked down.
“That contract is six weeks.”
“I know.”
“It pays more than three months here.”
“I know.”
The manager leaned closer.
“Listen to me.”
“You did not create the conflict.”
“You were standing there doing your job.”
“A man decided your face made you suitable entertainment.”
“You answered him.”
“If the consequence is professional review, you deal with that.”
“But don’t rewrite the event until somehow you become responsible for his decision.”
The waitress looked at her.
“That was suspiciously wise.”
“I’m forty-six.”
“Wisdom is what happens when mistakes stop being surprising.”
They laughed.
The manager picked up a plate.
“And did you win?”
“The bet?”
“Yes.”
“Technically.”
“Are you getting the money?”
“I have no idea.”
The manager looked offended.
“One hundred thousand?”
“Money isn’t the point.”
“It can have several points.”
The waitress laughed again.
That helped.
Then the general counsel called.
Professional review.
Immediate.
The waitress stepped into the manager’s office.
The lawyer appeared by video.
“We need to discuss tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
“You disclosed your restaurant employment.”
“Yes.”
“You did not know the millionaire would make the wager.”
“No.”
“You did respond in Mandarin.”