Leo was a forgiving guy, but the customer at the counter was testing his patience.
“I said I didn’t want tomatoes or lettuce on this sandwich and there’s both. The bread is old and stale. The dining room area is filthy. I have a mind to report you to your corporate headquarters. In fact, I’ll probably do that anyhow.”
The complainer continued, cursing and spewing defamatory language at the teen behind the counter.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, sir,” Leo said. “I will personally go back and make your sandwich myself, and send someone out front to tidy up the area. We just got through the noon lunch hour and it’s been a bit chaotic here. Not an excuse, but I understand your frustration. Let me get on that right now.”
Leo went into the kitchen, shoved open the French doors, and was seething. As promised, he got right to making the customer’s sandwich.
Tommy another waiter said walking through the French doors, “I heard, Leo. I’ve got it.”
The mayo, mustard, meets, cheese, and pickles went on the sandwich fine. He looked around and took a piece of plastic out of his pocket and unwrapped it. With gloved hands, Leo chopped it up into a hundred pieces, lifted two of the chunks, and put it on the sandwich.
“Leo, don’t do it,” Nan said.
“What? Do what?”
“Come on, Leo. I saw you put the chunks of ghost pepper on that guy’s sandwich. You’ll kill him. It’s one of the hottest peppers on earth. It’s not worth it, Leo. He’ll sue you, me, the company and everyone else because that’s the kind of guy you’re dealing with. I heard what he said to you. You did well, I must say. He’s not worth it.”
He squeezed the sandwich and said, “Yeah, you’re right, Nan.” He lifted the meat from the bread and removed the two tiny pepper chunks.
“Leo, make a new sandwich,” said Nan. “You know as well as I do those peppers touching that bread would destroy his mouth. Do the right thing, Leo. I know he insulted you but you still need to do the right thing. What he does is on him. What you do is on you.”
“Come on, Nan, just a little?”
Nan shook her head.
“You’re probably right. I only used the ghost pepper because I couldn’t find the liquid soap.”