Annie stared out the window.
More customers had entered the restaurant since she had arrived. Waiters guided them to their tables and helped the guests into their seats. Food was ordered and served.
Annie was more interested in observing the front entrance, to see the guests who arrived. She wanted to see what dresses and accessories the ladies who came wore. It was fashion research.
She was interrupted from her observation by Robert placing a coaster on the table before her. "What's this?" she asked.
"Orange juice, Ms Billings." He placed a glass of iced juice on the coaster and a paper napkin beside.
Annie was confused. "I didn't order this."
"Don't worry, miss, it's with the compliments of the house."
"Thank you." Annie smiled her gratitude.
Robert then left with his tray.
Annie sipped some juice through the straw. She found the cool, slightly sour taste to her liking. Then she noticed the red marks on the tip of the straw.
Ugh, she had got to buy herself some nonstick lipstick one day.
Then at last, her parents arrived. Father looked smart in his suit. Well, Annie had already seen his attire earlier, so his entrance was not as grand as it would have been if she had not. Mother wore an elegant dress of deep blue. She was not wearing her spectacles. Perhaps she was using contact lenses instead.
Annie watched as a waiter escorted them to one of the tables, one that was decorated with a rose in a slim white vase next to the candle. The table was well within Annie's view. Then Robert went up to them, introduced himself and handed them the menu.
Robert reported to Annie the orders that her parents had placed and the prices. The girl deducted the costs of the appetizers and the main course from the budget. There was still plenty of money left.
Everything appeared to be okay as Annie watched her parents. Robert went out to serve the appetizers. After Robert had left, Father started with some of the food while Mother was whispering something to him.
A short moment later, Robert entered the small back room.
"Ms Billings," Robert began, "I'm afraid there has been a mix-up in the kitchen. The order for Mr Billings' meal will be delayed."
"How long?" Annie asked.
"Fifteen, twenty minutes."
Too long. The appetizers would not keep her parents occupied for that amount of time.
"Should I serve Mrs Billings' order first?" Robert asked.
"No," Annie decided, "Both orders must come at the same time." She tapped her notepad on the table. "We must think of something to keep my parents occupied while waiting."
Robert thought for a moment. "Wine," he suggested, "Deliberating over which wine to order can take a while, especially for people not familiar with the delicacies involved."
Her parents usually did not drink wine at dinners at home so Annie guessed that they were not knowledgeable in the subject. However, she was sure they did not completely abstain from alcohol since she had seen them share a bottle together once.
"Wine can be expensive," Annie voiced her concern, "but they should choose the wine they'd like."
"Of course," Robert agreed. He selected a menu from the rack next to the wall. He browsed through it for a moment, then showed her an option in that wine menu, "Based on their orders, I recommend this vintage. I can guide their decision to this and it is well within your budget, if they go modest on dessert."
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