Chapter Three: The Second Sitting

There was a diner.

Table for one.
A glass of Chablis ordered before the menu arrived.
A man who placed his glasses neatly beside the menu before ordering.

Soft lighting.
Timber tables.
A quiet line of chefs working behind the open kitchen.

He ordered the fish.

Butter.
Capers.
A lemon placed precisely on the side.

He took a few bites and paused to sip the Chablis.

The waiter appeared.

“May I clear?”

He looked down.
Half the fish remained.

“Not just yet.”

Two minutes later the waiter returned.

“Would you care for dessert?”

The man glanced at his watch.

8:21.

Then the maître d’ arrived.
“Just to let you know, we do have another reservation for this table at nine.”

He folded the napkin carefully.

Dinner now had a timetable.

— Sun Maison