Ivan, Luke and Mike got to the cafeteria, almost too late. There was still plenty of food left but the kitchen crew of two were ready to put things away and call it a night.
Ivan said, "Shorty, we appreciate y'all keepin' the food out for us latecomers. We should be the tail of the crew from D2."
Shorty was the nickname that had been tacked on to LaVerne. They called him Shorty, because he was only about 4'10" tall. He looked almost like a kid but was actually 31 years old, and a light skinned black dude, and was really kind of cute.
Shorty responded, "It wouldn't be so bad if we had some help here. Only 2 of us right now to prepare the food and feed nearly 40 eaters. We were told we are getting some help but haven't seen him yet."
Ivan came back, "Actually, Shorty, you have seen him." Pointing to Mike, "Shorty, this is Mike, and he is starting training in Culinary Arts, probably tomorrow."
"Whew, about time!" Shorty, smiling, and extending his hand, "Mike, you have no idea how glad I am to see you. I'm LaVerne, but they have nicknamed me Shorty. I don't really like it, but I guess I can live with it. I really prefer to be called LaVerne or just Vern. You're staying in Dorm 2?"
"Yeah," Mike answered, returning the handshake. "Dorm 2, bed 11. Pleased to meet you."
"Bed 11?," responded Vern, smiling. "That's neat! I'm in Dorm 2, Bed 12, so we are next door neighbors! See you at bedtime."
Luke and Mike, with their trays of food, followed Ivan to sit at a table occupied by three other men, all of whom they had seen back in Dorm 2.
"Luke and Mike," said Ivan, "I'd like you to meet Smitty, Darin and Josh. Luke, these three guys, along with you and I complete the Carpentry Group. Tomorrow, you will meet Mr. Wilson, the paid instructor."
The group made small talk while they continued to eat their dinner, then all except Mike headed back to the dorm. Mike actually wanted to chat with Vern for a couple minutes. He wasn't certain if he liked the idea of Vern having the bed next to him or not. Mike headed over to the kitchen area of the cafeteria and stood in the doorway until James noticed him.
James spoke, "If you're here expecting to get something to eat, the serving stopped a half hour ago. So how can I help you?"
"I just wanted to see Vern for a few minutes if I could," Mike answered.
James responded, "He's busy right now. We're short handed and trying to get the hell out of here tonight."
Vern, hearing the conversation, came over to where the other two were. Vern stated, "James, cool it! This is Mike, he is our savior, our new trainee. Mike, please meet the senior Culinary Arts trainer, James Lester."
The two shook hands and James smiled, wishing he hadn't been so rough toward Mike.
Vern asked, "Mike, you in a hurry?"
Mike said, "No, I've nothing important to do."
Vern said, "If it is ok with James, I can start training you tonight. The dishes have yet to be done and I can show Mike how to operate the dishwasher." James nodded his head in approval.
"Come on in," Vern said, "The dishwasher is right over here." And led the way. He continued, "It'll take us about an hour to do the dishes and scrub the pots and pans. Then we'll have plenty of time to chat before bedtime. Remind me to take out some sausage from the freezer to thaw for breakfast tomorrow."
For the next hour, Vern and Mike did dishes and made small talk, while James busied himself with the broom and mop, so in an hour they were all ready to leave.
Mike said, "Vern, Don't forget about the sausage."
"Come with me, Mike," Vern said, and Mike followed Vern into the walk in freezer. "We have to take some sausage out of the freezer and put it in the fridge to thaw. Tomorrow is Tuesday and Tuesday is Sausage and Gravy with biscuits for breakfast."
"Cool," Mike replied. "I really like Sausage Gravy on biscuits."
"James," Vern paused, "Please wake both of us in the morning. Mike will be in the bed next to mine, #11. Have a good night."
Mike questioned Vern, "Where does James sleep?"
"He is over in Dorm 1. Security will wake him up about 4:30 AM and he will come and wake us up shortly after. We need to have breakfast ready to serve by 6:30, so the guys can eat and be ready to leave for training by 7:30"
"Good night you two," James said as he turned out the lights and locked the cafeteria doors. "Oh, and thanks for the help Mike."
Once outside the building Vern spoke, "Mike, would you like to take a walk around the campus?"
Mike responded with, "Are we allowed to?"
"Sure, as long as we don't leave the perimeter of the campus. They can tell where we are," Vern said, holding his arm up to show the bracelet, "and if we leave the campus, patrol will be notified to capture us."
As near as we could figure, it was probably close to 8 PM when we left the cafeteria. We just kind of strolled down towards a woodsy area not too far from the Dorms. It wasn't dark yet but would be in another half an hour or so. Mike was beginning to actually like Vern, even though he had been apprehensive a little earlier. Vern seemed, to Mike, to be like a little boy. Even at 31 he had that little boy look, and was really quite likeable. Unknown to Mike, Vern was about to shock him.
Vern suddenly stopped walking and just stood there, so Mike stopped also. Mike queried, "Is something wrong?"