The Waiter



Takesh Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Japanese/Taiwanese Actor
[resembles the waiter]

The Waiter

There is an excellent vegetarian restaurant in Seattle that my boyfriend and I frequent. I have become quite smitten with a waiter there. He is Asian, probably in his early 20's. He's tall, sleek, and moves across the floor like Cary Grant.

When I worked at the dungeon, we often ordered food from this restaurant, too. There is an older Asian woman who usually answers the phone. She is always sweet and pleasant when I order delivery from home, but when we ordered food from the dungeon, her voice turned once she knew where we were calling from.

When I'd call in an order, I would always try to give just the basic information, i.e., street address. After I'd give her this information, there would be a long pause on the other end of the phone. Finally, she'd say, "Is this *****?" her voice sounding shrill.

"Yes," I'd respond.

"Thirty minutes," she'd say, hanging up on me.

One day, I placed an order from the dungeon. Thirty minutes later, I heard the beep beep of the front door. I looked up at the monitor and recognized the form, which stood there in the middle of the lobby, holding a plastic bag. Oh my, I thought, is it him? . . . the waiter? What was he doing here? He normally didn't make deliveries. I panicked a littled as the other girl I was working with was doing a show. I was all alone so I had to go out to see him. I wondered if he would recognize me. I ran into the dressing room to look in the mirror real quick. I was wearing a school girl uniform and a short black wig. The girl I was working with left her prescription glasses on the counter, which I quickly tried on. Perfect I thought. They had thick black rims, which made me look like a slutty geek.

I ran down the hallway, fearing he might leave. I opened the door and there he stood. The room was dim and it was just the two of us there. He handed me the food and I handed him all the money I had. He tried to give me back the change.

"Keep it," I said, smiling.

"Thank you," he said, nodding.

I could tell that he was a little shy, which made me want him more.

"Bye," he said smiling.

"Bye," I said, softly as I watched him move across the floor like Cary Grant, disappearing out the door.

That was the only time he delivered food to the dungeon.

The other night we ordered food to be delivered. When the buzzer sounded, I ran down the stairs in my bare feet, just wearing some shorts and a small tee, sans bra, hoping it might be him. When I opened the door, there he was, standing in the rain. This time, his smile was warm and friendly and he seemed to recognize me from the restaurant.

"Hi," he said, handing me the food.

"Hi," I said, handing him the money.

He tried to give me back the $5.00, but I told him to keep it.

"Thank you," he said nodding.

He turned around and disappeared into the rainy night.



I love eastern culture . . . I guess you could say I'm obsessed actually. Some of my favorite writers, directors, and movies:





Wong Kar Wai's Chunking Express

I'd have to say that Chunking Express is one of my all-time favorite movies . . . great stories (2), great music, and beautifully shot. And who could resist Faye Wong?



Cowboy Bebop

Visually intoxicating with a jazzy soundtrack. The characters exude sex, style, wit, and badass moves.



Kurosawa

Yikes . . . my fingers hover over the keys intimidated to say anything about this man. He is one of the best directors of all time. He was in his 80's when he made his last movie. Not only was he an amazing director who created unforgettable images, he also lived an incredible life.





Haruki Murakami's Wind-up Bird Chronicles

One of the most mindblowing writers in the world. After reading his book, The Wind-up Bird Chronicles, I felt different . . . like my perception had shifted. It was the fastest 600+ pages I ever read. I started reading it on a Friday night and called in sick Monday morning just so I could finish it.