"Mr. Harrington?"
"This waitress is incompetent."
Emily lowered her eyes.
The manager looked at her.
"Emily?"
"I made a mistake with the water glass."
Victor laughed.
"A mistake?"
He looked at the manager.
"I've been waiting twenty minutes for basic service."
"Sir, I apologize."
"You should."
The manager turned toward Emily.
"Please step away from the table."
Emily looked shocked.
"Yes, sir."
She turned.
But Victor wasn't finished.
"Where are you going?"
Emily stopped.
"You told me to step away."
"I told the manager to handle you."
She stood silently.
Victor looked at the manager.
"Do you hire people who don't understand basic hospitality?"
"No, sir."
"Then why is she here?"
The manager looked uncomfortable.
"She's one of our newer employees."
"She shouldn't be."
Emily's eyes filled with tears.
She tried to remain professional.
"Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry for any inconvenience."
Victor stood.
The sudden movement made several guests turn toward him.
He pointed at Emily.
"You should learn something."
Emily looked at him.
"When people pay this much for dinner, they aren't paying to be treated by someone who doesn't know her place."
Silence.
Emily's face went pale.
The manager whispered,
"Mr. Harrington..."
Victor continued.
"Some people are simply not meant for certain rooms."
Emily stared at him.
She understood what he meant.
She had heard similar words before.
Not exactly.
But enough.
She had been told she wasn't sophisticated enough.
Not wealthy enough.
Not polished enough.
Not connected enough.
She had worked twice as hard as many people around her just to be considered average.
And now, in front of an entire restaurant, this man had reduced her to nothing.
She took a breath.
"Would you like another server?"
Victor smiled.
"Yes."
Emily nodded.
"I'll arrange that."
She walked away.
The manager followed her.
"Emily."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
She wiped her eyes.
"I'll be fine."
"You can take the rest of the night off."
"No."
"Emily..."
"I need the hours."
The manager looked at her sadly.
"Go home."
Emily shook her head.
"I need this job."
The manager sighed.
"Fine."
He walked away.
Emily returned to the kitchen.
She leaned against the wall.
For a moment, she closed her eyes.
Then she heard the chef.
"You okay?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
"You don't have to lie."
She smiled sadly.
"I'm used to people like him."
The chef shook his head.
"No one should be."