The Dog Hole: Chapter 10 -- First Impression
Someone's got to feed the weirdo...
The Dog Hole
Chapter 10: First Impressions
Sixty little white ramekins filled with yellow custard sat upon trays on the counter. They just needed one last touch. After adding a layer of sugar to each and torching them to a crispy golden brown, they were set in neat six-by-ten rows near the end of the line for people to take as they wished.
"And with two minutes to spare." She looked back at Bosch.
"All I see are dozens of extra dishes to wash." Bosch's arms were crossed in mild disapproval, but Snibbly had a look of excitement on his face.
"Show time," she sang as she stood next to her two co-workers.
The first of the lunch rush were entering the mess hall in an orderly, unrushed manner. There was very little difference between breakfast and lunch in terms of urgency. Each person patiently made their choice between a selection of pastas, garlic bread, and the additional option for french onion soup. They hadn't expected to see Bebe's contribution. The curious sniffs and glances made her a little nervous. Perhaps creme brulee was a tad exotic for her first impression. Nevertheless, the bowls were placed on trays and brought to tables to be tried.
Bebe kept one fellow in particular within her periphery who had decided to start with dessert. He broke the sugary crust with his spoon and scooped up a timid helping. As it entered his mouth, he stared off in the distance while tossing the custard around in his mouth as if deciding what to make of it. After what seemed like forever, he looked down and continued to eat the rest.
Bebe smiled, marking it as a win in her books. Her smile broadened at the sight of the director in his normal blue turtleneck and a tasteful hexagonal necklace made of white gold. "Looking good, sir."
He ignored her greeting and glanced further down the line. "What's that?"
"Just a little something I whipped up. I hope you like it."
"Why wasn't this run by me?" He turned a stern eye to Bosch.
Bosch cocked his head to the side indignantly. "It was kind of last minute, and I believe the last thing you said to me was 'let me rest'."
The muscles in Cane's jaw tensed as he went around those ahead of him and grabbed a bowl and spoon for himself. He wasted no time cracking the crust and trying it. Like the guy before him, he studied it with his tongue until he ultimately made up his mind. He turned to Bebe who, at this point, was sweating bullets. To her relief, no words followed. He took his soup, his bowl, and left to eat.
Bebe smirked as she looked back at Bosch. By his disappointed expression, it was obvious he was hoping the director would have bitten her head off.
"Congratulations, Bebe," Lyan started seemingly coming out of nowhere, "You've made him jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"Have you had any?"
"No."
"Because you're afraid you might like it. Because you're jealous."
"Keep the line moving. And you," Bosch turned to Snibbly. "Did you feed Maddox yet?"
Snibbly seemed to dread being asked the question. He shook his head 'no'.
Bosch groaned. "Snibbly. He's thin enough as it is."
"Who's Maddox?"
"Bloke in the movie room."
"That weirdo? He's still in there? Does he even have a job?"
"Of sorts." Bosch started to make a tray of food. "Bebe, I need you to..."
"Nu uh. No way."
"What have you got against the guy?"
"I don't like him. Let's just leave it at that."
"Well you two need to sort out who is going to feed him. You've got thirty seconds."
Bebe stared at Snibbly before holding out a fist. "On three." Snibbly and bebe shook their fists three times and revealed their hand. "Shit."
Snibbly made a little happy noise and solidified his victory by covering her rock with his paper.
"Congratulations." Bosch watched Bebe sigh and take the tray. Before he let go, he directed her attention at him. "You are to drop his food off. Nothing more. He's to be left alone." Bebe nodded and took the tray. "Oy. Not gonna bring him one of your world-famous creme brulee's?" he teased.
Bebe rolled her eyes, grabbed one, and headed out of the cafeteria. She hardly needed the pep talk. She'd get it over with quickly like ripping off a band aid. But first, she had to make a little stop at the computer lab. Something about what that weirdo said the night before needed to be checked out.