M.I.T.H.

So.........................Day 4, still no word from Leonard & Jay. For all they know, I could have closed up for a mini vacation. I know, cell phones do not work in Sicily....tell that to someone else, I KNOW THEY WORK, been there, done that!!!

I am going to run a Happy Hour special, all beer 1/2 price, free appetizers....maybe that will get his attention, I know he has "EYES ON ME" while he is gone. Hmmmmm free chicken wings and hot dogs in the bar, Italian Sausage for 99 cents a lb....all the pasta you can eat for 2.99.....that will fix him not to call.

Anyhow, not that I am mad or anything, not that I am up to my ears in office work, no, I am a very happy person as I write this....as long as Anthony keeps bringing me chocolate and my iced tea and Lisa calls once in a while, I am really OK.

M.I.T.H. you wonder? Mirabile In The House! Get it? We have a rule here at Jasper's, there is always a MIRABILE IN THE HOUSE from 9 AM until closing, SERIOUSLY. Last night I had a Slow Food Battle Of The Hams at The Cellar Rat downtown and I had to make an appearance so without Leonard and Jay, I needed help.

I called Lisa and asked her to have Alex be a hostess for a few hours....no luck....she had a soccer game in Cammeron, MO for her high school, The Barstow School where she is starting as a freshman on the varsity team. OK, good excuse...I know, call Sal, the lawyer...no luck, he had night court, a likely excuse. Mom was sick so I really had to go far for this next one....my brother Jim, the doctor...I know, what does he know about the restaurant business you ask? C'mon, he grew up at the old place, cutting bread at age 8 just like the rest of us, bussing tables, working the door through high school...but can he cook? ....I covered that with my assistent Marvin on the line and Sam Gianino expiditing.

So......guess what? We were sold out....I left at 5:45, raced to The Cellar Rat, opened our workshop for Slow Food, ate a little Iberico Jamon (100.00 a pound) bought some terrific cheese from Ryan, sipped a little Sicilian vino and I was back in the car racing down 71 highway.

Back at Jasper's at 7:29, I walked in and it was as calm as a church service. Doc had everything under control, Ed was at his end of the bar making love to his tonic and gin (THANKS BILLY JOEL, I had to say that) Rick was minding the bar, honest as Abe Lincoln and on top of EVERYTHING,no free drinks from this guy, my hostess was smiling at the front door, the dining room was FULL, the deli was busy, ALL WAS OK, really!!! I walked in the kitchen, Sam Gianino was on the 'wheel' calling out orders, the waiters were all quiet....I could not have asked for a better night. What did my brother tell the staff? No hollaring, no argueing, everything was running smoothe, like a well oiled machine, VERY NICE. Pops would have been proud.

So....maybe I am not replaceable after all, I mean, what do I know, I just make meatballs for a living!

Thank Doc, I owe you one. But just remember, I can't deliver babies and I am not examing any patients for you, let's just get that straight right now.