The Water Waiter

Walt brings water to every single table, whether or not the people drink it. Some do, because it’s free water and people love free stuff. But there’s still plenty who leave it there to sit while ordering the largest sodas or coffees they can and taking advantage of the free refills.

He refills the water glasses every time they’re more than half empty, because you never know if someone will be thirsty later. The only ones who outright ask for refills are the wine club, who need something to cleanse their palate after each glass. Otherwise at the end of the day Walt carries back half-full or totally full water glasses.

Brad the bread guy asks if he’s bitter, because when he brings bread the entire basket is empty once the patrons leave. “If they don’t eat it they take it home with them,” he brags.

(Actually, if they don’t eat it, that bread just gets reused for the next patrons. Not the most sanitary habit, but no sense in wasting food.)

He ignores Brad, because he’s the kind of person who constantly craves validation. Walt is just happy to do his work, quietly and politely. He doesn’t work at a restaurant for the glory or fame, or even the thanks. He does it for the simple paycheck that pays the rent on his modest apartment just above the hardware store. To buy groceries for himself and his dog, and occasionally treat himself to the newest release by James Patterson.

Walt is a simple man. He brings water to the tables, clears away the glasses empty or full once the patrons leave, and fills a new set of glasses when new patrons come.

The water that’s left in the old glasses, though? He pours that into Brad’s sneakers. That’ll serve him right for bragging about his stupid bread.