Secret Passage Through the Kitchen

“I don’t get it,” Naoko said. “Did you leave that note for me?”

“Yeah,” the waitress said, not turning around.

“Why?” he asked.

“You do not belong here,” she said.

“Huh?” Naoko asked. The waitress held out her hand behind her. He stared at her so confused.

“You want to get to your destination, don’t you?” she asked. The mouse boy nodded once.

“Then take my hand,” the waitress said. “I know a quicker way to get out of this city. Where are you trying to go?”

“The Diamond Tower,” Naoko said. For the first time, the waitress stopped and turned her head.

“That place?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. “Is that going to be a problem?” The waitress shook her head.

“I know a faster way to get you there,” she said. “We have to go now or our gate will close until the dinner shift.” Naoko blinked.

“Okay…” he said. The mouse boy took her by the hand. The waitress turned back to their path.

“Hang on tight,” she said. “I am the fastest girl on the wait staff.” The waitress crouched down to the marble tilted floor.

“Three… Two… One,” she whispered. The waitress shot off like a bullet towards the double doors. Naoko nearly bit his tongue trying not to scream. They disappeared in a flash of colors through the doors. The mouse boy could smell the spices around him.

Wait… Are we in the kitchen?

The cooks and preppers didn’t even look up and notice them. The waitress smiled as they reached the long white-beaded curtains.

“Here you go!” she said.

“What?” Naoko asked. But he had a chance to look around, the waitress pushed him through the curtains. She watched as he fell through screaming.

“Good luck!” she screamed. The waitress saluted and turned back around.

“Next table up!” one of the cooks shouted.

“Yes!” she was quick to say. The waitress resumed her other job with the remaining customers, waiting to leave for their final destination.