The next morning I went out into the city. Â Market Street would get my attention today. Â And yes, I tested my thigh power up some of the hilly streets too; it was time to really explore my options. Â I knew I must get a profitable routine kicked into gear and very soon!
I found an Indian restaurant on Jones Street and I noticed their business hours were dinner only. Â Still I was able to enter. Â I asked to visit with the manager and it was quickly arranged as that same man in the rather plain dining room was one of the owners. Â
Here was a bearded American man named Bill and we spoke for a few moments. Â He told me that his friend/business partner, also an American, was the cook back in the kitchen. Â He was married to an Anglo-Indian lady and it was she who guided him in the art of her Indian cooking.
The other man, Jack, came out too and I spoke mostly to him, asking questions and sharing my experience. Â He explained they were a young business and proposed to start me with only tips and food for pay. Â
âIf you are able to build our customer base, fill more tables then weâll negotiate guaranteed wages,â Â Bill told me. Â As it was relayed to me, Bill was the financier of the restaurant and Jack had the Indian influence. Â I seriously considered the offer.
Iâd assured the two gentlemen Iâd come back by the end of the week if I would accept. Â We parted company and then I strolled around for a while to see if anything else would call to me. Â
Obeying the pangs in my stomach, I found my way to a nice lunch at one of many local Chinese restaurants. Â
Well itâs still winter and nothing sounds better than a good nap after a filling lunch so back to the hotel and up I went for a nice, deep afternoon rest. Â
Not long after I got up I received a call from the guys I had gone to the farm with. Â They asked if I was doing all right. Â That was real nice. Â Then they mustâve told the other guys who stayed in the city that I decided the farm was not for me and came back. Â
I got a call from them offering their company. Â âHey letâs go get coffee and do some window shopping!â Â I certainly appreciated that but realizing the need to focus on the things I must I graciously declined, telling them honestly that I wanted to feel out the city on my own for a couple of days. Â
Their response reflected understanding, their disposition most cheerful. Â The guys offered their local telephone number so I should call if I needed anything. Â That was so kind.
I spent that evening walking my neighborhood stretch of San Francisco, observing this part of America, my current residence, so far away from my youth and my previously known comforts. Â All this would now have to become part of the graduated me.
I would serve myself warmed leftover Chinese for dinner. Â A nice hot shower would lead me straight to bed and it was lights out.
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