Phone for Help

After the festival, Norman bought a cheap camera, eager to learn about his lady love's hobby. He arrived at the restaurant intending to find out if Cyrus wished to hire a new waiter. But he had been taking pictures of the restaurant instead.

"This is wonderful. I see why you like it so much," Norman commented as he took a picture of the bottled sauces behind the bar.

"It is quite fun. It is like looking at things from a different perspective," said Anita as she cleaned the bar. Norman turned to the kitchen to take a picture, only for Shasta to glare at him. He turned around, figuring Leigha might be more photogenic, only to get another glare.

"Don't you have work you need to do," she snapped, marching off to clear some tables.

Norman looked to the others, who gave Leigha pitying looks before going back to work.  Not knowing if anyone was going to give him answers, Norman left the bar and went to talk to Cyrus. He knocked on the door, then positioned his camera to take a picture. Cyrus opened the door, only to shut it when he heard the click of the camera.

"Come on, that would have been a good shot."

"No, it wouldn't. Go take pictures of something else," Cyrus yelled from the other side of the door.

"But I need to talk to you."

Cyrus opened the door, the camera hanging around Norman's neck.

"What?"

 "Do you need another employee since Oliver has left?"

"Not especially. We have the Sonatas."

"Right, and what happened to Leigha. Is the…"

"The Sonatas aren't on speaking terms. You were at the festival."

"Yes, but I wasn't paying too much attention. Anita loaned me her camera to take pictures."

"Of course. Well, Leigha and Miles aren't talking to each other, but they are still working, so it's fine." 

Cyrus shut his door, leaving Norman in the hall, alone. He walked back out to see the restaurant looking a little dead, despite summer in full effect outside. Norman retreated to the breakroom, pulling out his phone to call Frank.

"Hi Frank, it's Norman."

"I know, I saw on the caller ID. What did Cyrus say?"

 "He doesn't want more help."

 "Of course not. It usually takes Cyrus getting desperate until he needs help. I'll keep an eye out anyway in case applications come into Corporate. Are you coming back to the office now?"

"Maybe, there is a problem, though."

"What's that?"

"Leigha and Miles are fighting."

There was a pause. Norman was able to hear someone talking on another phone in the background.

"I thought Cyrus solved that problem."

"About them not working at the same time, yes. But now Leigha and Miles aren't even speaking to each other. And Leigha seemed very stern."

"She brings down the mood." Sierra took the phone from Norman and talked into the receiver.

"Sierra? Where's Norman?"

"Still here. I'm making a formal complaint."

"Okay, so she makes the work environment depressing."

"Yes."

"How so?"

"Well, she's all strict, no time for fun or teasing. Professional all day."

 "Sierra, this is a professional establishment; you are supposed to be professional."

"Yeah, but you should have a little fun now and then."

"To an extent. Leigha is still working hard?"

"Working harder actually." Shasta took the phone from Sierra. He glared at Norman, who tried to make a reach for the phone during the transfer. "While her friendly demeanor without coming off as fake needs work, she is efficient."

"So she needs to work on her people skills? And Shasta?"

 "If you want to put it that way, Shasta is not the best example of people's skills. It's Sierra again."

"I'll make a note of it, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong professionally."

"Frank, this is Anita. You think there is a way for us to help Leigha. She is always sad when she comes home."

"I thought she lived with her brother?"

Anita shook her head no, then realized that Frank didn't hear that. "No, they fought at the Summer Festival, so she has been staying with me. But she hasn't been friendly. Rather existing, very cold."

"I see. Is Leigha's attitude affecting your work ethic?"

"Not only Leigha's attitude but Miles as well," added Shasta.

"Shasta, what is Miles doing?"

"Miles comes in a little spaced out, especially if he and Leigha run into each other," Shasta explained.

"Until Ramona trips, then he's back to normal. But he hasn't gone out to pet any animals lately," added Sierra as she took back the phone.

"The problem is, everyone is upset that the Sonatas are professional servers instead of their happy selves," explained Cyrus.

"Frank, is there anything we can do?" asked Anita, taking the phone from Cyrus.

"Please stop switching the phone!"

Everyone jumped back, looking between each other and the phone.

"Can everyone get back to work? We have customers waiting," announced Leigha as she peeked in the breakroom.

"Switch the phone back over to Norman," instructed Frank.

"But you told us not to switch phones," maintained Anita, looking confused.

"It's his phone, so please give it back."

 Anita handed the phone back as everyone retreated to work except Cyrus and Norman.

"So, anything Corporate can do?” asked Norman, tilting the phone so he and Cyrus could hear.

"Seeing as this is a family matter that doesn't threaten work production, no. If it does turn into a corporate matter, let me know immediately."

 "Yes, sir."

Cyrus frowned. "Sorry, Frank couldn't be much help."

 "No, he helped. I hope it won't have to come to this." Cyrus walked off, leaving Norman in the breakroom, confused.