Chapter 8 — Manager attempts to silence the staff — Then the owner’s emergency contact number is dialed
The manager lunged forward across the service counter.
She reached out to swat the customer’s phone down.
Marcus stepped squarely into her path, blocking her arm with a firm forearm.
You are not touching that phone, Marcus warned.
The manager stumbled back against the receipt printer.
Her face flushed a deep, mottled red.
This is private business between staff and management, the manager shouted, her voice cracking.
You have no right to call anyone.
I have every right when fraud is taking place under this roof, the customer replied calmly.
She held the phone steady near her ear.
The call tone hummed through the quiet air of the dining room.
No one answered on the first ring.
The manager seized the brief silence to try and claw back her crumbling authority.
Mia, sit back down at that table right now, the manager commanded, pointing a trembling finger at the massive stack of napkins.
You are on the clock and you will finish your shift.
Nobody is sitting anywhere, Marcus said, stepping back beside Mia.
She is done working off a fake debt you invented.
You’re all fired, every single one of you, the manager shrieked, slamming her palm down on the stainless steel counter.
Effective immediately.
You don’t have the authority to fire the head waiter for uncovering a cash-skimming scheme, Marcus countered.
The customer’s phone speaker suddenly clicked.
A crisp, authoritative male voice came through the audio channel.
This is corporate. Who is calling this emergency line?