Maria, the head chef at Zuni, showed up just before 10 AM. Several people had come down for breakfast at the last minute. I wasn't prepped exactly up, and having been up at a friend's house until 4, I was a bit unsorted.

It was no big deal. One of those moments when you either keep the head or lose it, and I wasn't predisposed toward losing it. Not worth the trouble. I was fine.

M_ stopped, stood looking at me, and asked if I was alright. And stood looking at me. I asked her "Is there anything that we have to talk about?" Meaning, right then. She said "Oh, Jesus Christ."

She got her togs on and came in. I was still sorting the last of the breakfasts. She kept talking to me about the work I was doing. And proceeded to help me, which was no help at all to me. I told her that. I'd rather just keep doing it myself, and stay in rhythm. She wasn't having any.