They met up with all the other candidates in the reception area of the motel. Trixie smiled. “Well You all better come up then.” They trouped up behind her, like she was the pied piper, into the boardroom. “I am employed as Bobbie’s financial advisor and today, am helping her with staffing”

There was a knock on the door and Quinn entered, she had a man with her. “I’m sorry to interrupt but Lacey said you were all up here so I thought I’d bring Joe up and introduce him. Joe was an IT guy for 15 years and When he got laid off, he wanted to follow his dream of being a graphic designer and was in my class at the Tech School. He can’t seem to break into the industry. He can fill in for me while I’m on maternity leave in reception and can help with all the digital reservations and website stuff too.” Said Quin, sitting down, motioning Joe to sit as well. Joe was average height, was a little chubby and he had a greying beard and a bit of shaggy greying hair. He had twinkling blue eyes and looked agreeable.

“No problem.” Said Trixie. “Nice to meet you Joe. Maybe we can go around the table and introduce ourselves.”

They began with Drey. “I’m from out of town. There was not much to do there so I decided come to Crow Harbour and take engine repair but I didn’t finish the course. I worked as a labourer until I hurt my back. Things got a little rough and I re-connected with Effie. I worked at the big box store and thought it was great but I found it hard to get to because my old car doesn’t like to go that far. Effie likes working here and I helped Bobbie before and I can’t think of a place I’d rather work.”

Roger put up his hand and stood and said. “I’m Roger and I’m coming to work here because I like doing laundry and gardening and I know how to work the washers and dryers and I like carrying suitcases.”

Mark stood up and said “It is my dream to be a chef and Bobbie is helping me make that happen and I will work as hard as I can for her. And I like gardening too.” He winked at Roger.

“I’ve know Miss Bobbie a long time and she hired me when I was pretty low. I run the motel house keeping department and I won’t let you down.” Said Effie.

Chase stood up.“I’m Home now.”

Mink stood up. “We will build something great together.”

Rose just said. “My name is Rose, I don’t know anyone except Bobbie and I want to be your dishwasher. I like to work in a garden too.”

Joe stood. “Hello all, I’m Quinn’s friend and am here to help you when she goes on parental leave. I like computers and art and beer.”

“You’ll fit right in.”

Trixie said. “Nice to meet you everyone. I’ll explain our benefits. We have a group registered retirement plan. I urge you to arrange with me to put 10% of your salary into RRSP’s because we will generously match that contribution. That is money for retirement, we hope you have a long happy career here. We have a health and dental plan. You don’t pay anything. It’s a good plan, you’re employer pays your deductible.” Trixie continued. “You earn 1 sick day every month you work; you can save them or use them, they don’t go away. These days will not be paid out if you leave us though. You will start with 2 weeks of vacation a year. After 2 years you get 3 weeks and we’ll see after that. You are paid a salary so some weeks you might work 30 hours and some weeks you may work 45 hours. Keep in mind your boss was a unionized public servant for 35 years she will not make you work extra hours without compensation. All of this information is available to you anytime and very soon I will have an assistant to help me keep track of your health care and other deductions and Bobbie will take care of you vacation, sick time and work schedule. Help yourself to donuts and coffee”

She called Rose into the office. “Hi Rose, here are some of the papers we need you to sign. Right now I have this all set up to save 10 percent for retirement. Do you have a bank account to deposit your pay?”

Rose shook her head no.

“We’ll pay you with cash, the first couple of weeks. Bobbie can help you get a bank account and then you can bring me the account number because then your pay could be put right in the bank. You will be paid about 500 dollars a week after tax and deductions. Your salary is 35,000 a year and I can help you with a budget if you want.”

“Thank-you so much I have never had a real job like this before. Can the money for retirement be used if I want to go to school? Can I have some information about our dental plan. Does it mean I can get my teeth fixed?”

Trixie answered her questions.

Joe came into he office and Trixie asked him about the RRSP. He wanted it and had a void check and when told his salary was 40000 said. “Oh to be honest I was hoping for at least 50K. Is the dental for the whole family?” Trixie nodded. “Oh, I guess that works.” Trixie found out Joe had 3 teenagers at home. A boy of 13 and two girls, 15 and 17.

Drey had all his information and his paperwork took only 5 minutes and then Mink and Chase came in together.

“I don’t suppose you are used to working on salary?”

“We started in this business working just for tips but we are accustomed to bring paid by the hour, with gratuities”

Trixie nodded. “If you had salary what would it be, assuming we have little or no gratuities?”

Mink did not hesitate. “Whatever you pay the chef.” Chase just nodded.

Trixie looked up and said “That’s 45,000 now and 50,000 in January. He started at 40,000.”

“Very well we start at 45,000 per year and get a raise in January.” They both filled out the paperwork.

Bobbie and Trixie and the whole team were in the boardroom and Bobbie was excited. “She said OK I guess that’s it folks, we’ll hit the ground running officially on Monday but Effie, Mark and Drey, are on the clock now, we do have guests.”

Everyone filed out leaving only Bobbie and Trixie.

“So how did it all go Trixie, did we hire everyone?”

“Yes, we hired everyone. Joe is an open book and he’s using us to break into the business and will leave after Quinn comes back from Maternity leave. Mink and Chase; I don’t know. I don’t think it is about money. They just view money as a scale for how much they are valued. They just want to be valued as much as Mark. You now have staff that costs you about 350K a year to pay. I’m not sure this place will make that much profit.”

“That’s a little scary when you put it like that. I hope we can grow the business fast enough. They are all such good people!”

They both agreed that they made some good decisions and Bobbie went back to her apartment to call Joan at the community college about some student bakers and co-op work placements that she wouldn’t have to pay.

Monday May 4 2019

Lorne was on pins and needles, the restaurant was open and Bobbie had all the dishes and linens and centrepieces organized. This was the first morning they would officially offer the continental breakfast service and the afternoon tea here. Bobbie and Mark set up buffet tables in the centre of the wall between the doors to the kitchens that had white table cloths and Mark was there with his breakfast biscuits and big fruit trays and Bobbies fancy samovars full of coffee and tea. There were flowers on the buffet table and several green plants around the rest of the tables. There were ice filled water jugs and glasses , trays with cream and sugar and milk and cups and saucers and small plates and napkins set up on three tables.

They only had 3 guests at the motel. Mink and Chase and one business man that was on a sleep over waiting for a flight. Bobbie asked Drey to drive him to the airport.

Mink and Chase came into the restaurant first and sat at a set table. Bobbie came over smiling and encouraged them to help themselves. She did the same for the business man.

Bobbie had been thinking about the breakfast a long time. She had a spreadsheet of everything they needed to get ready to have it go smoothly. Mark actually appreciated her check sheets and they developed them together for both breakfast and the high tea.

Effie had not been as receptive to the check sheets for making up the rooms especially when she realized she had an iPad and had to check things off as they were done in the rooms. Drey convinced her was a good way to remember everything and prove that everything was done. Bobbie also had suggestion cards printed professionally and they were all over the motel and could be handed in to any staff member.

After the small breakfast, Mark came out and put the food away and Bobbie bussed the tables, leaving 2 bus pans full of dishes and a pile of sheets and pans that Mark used. At the dish end of the stainless work surface. She asked Mark to leave them because she would be back with Rose to do the dishes in 20 minutes.

“It’s hard for me to leave the dishes but it gives me more time to prep for lunch.” He was making hamburgers for the grill and washing and cutting french fries with a cutter. He had condiments to organize and salads to prepare as and as always, sourdough to mix up. They decided to make the lunch menus daily and Bobbie had rigged up a large TV behind the bar in SPOKES to display sports or news, the motel infomercial or the lunch menu depending on what was needed.

Lacey had one small display at the gallery in the first weeks but she was in touch with some local artists.

Quinn found there wasn’t really enough work for both her and Joe now that the reservation service was online. Joe was naturally chatty and good with customer relations and was learning to maintain the websites. Drey was keeping busy and Bobbie picked Rose up a the home the first day but after that, Drey picked her up with the Motel van. He was turning into the chauffeur.

It was a special day for Johnny, he moved from Bobbie’s apartment into his little bachelor suite and had Bobbie’s roof deck all finished.