Last Night at the Lobster
Stewart O'Nan
popular fiction
pg. 30-72

So the Red Lobster has just been opened for its final day of business. At first business is slow, aside from their regular Mr. K, who is disappointed to hear that the Lobster is closing. Manny and all the workers are forced to handle the lunch crowd, but its really not much because of the growing blizzard outside. A business party arrives saying they called to see if they took reservations but were told they did not. Yet, Kendra, the hostess, forgot to mention it to the rest of the employees, not giving them a heads up of the rush that awaits them. While the business party is inside, Manny is forced to deal with the snow outside. He calls the snow plows hoping that they show up soon. But he still has to go outside and fight the snow blower to keep the sidewalks clear. Meanwhile, inside there is a table with 2 moms and a little boy. First the little boy spills his drink and proceeds to drop his spoon 3 different times, with him mother demanding a new one. Nicolette completely lost her patience with him. Finally, they go to leave, when the little boy throws up all over the restaurant floor. Of course, his mother claims the workers are laughing at him and leaves furiously, leaving Manny to clean up her son's disgusting mess. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Fredo, one of the line cooks became very angry and left. He didn't say anything to Manny, who didn't figure it out till he looked out the window to see Fredo walking to the bus stop in the cold. Manny then gives up and declares that if anyone else wants to leave, go for it. It's their last day, he can't stop them.

The book has gotten a little better. It's still not very intriguing to me, but I'm sticking it out. The little boy in the restaurant drove me crazy. Parents should control their kids! Also, that mom treated her son like he was the best thing and the world and could never do anything wrong, even though he did.