The Special

“Order up!”

You could hear the chef yell from the other side of the kitchen.

“Your new dish is popular,” said Rachel.

Chef Mark smiled, pleased with himself. Smug in the fact that only he knew what ingredients went into his recipes. Hearing the dining room full, made him smile even bigger. It had been awhile since he was able to draw attention.

“Chef Mark. I don’t know what you did to the pasta, but they are loving it,” said James.

Mark smiled with a mischievous look.

“It’s almost closing and they are backed out the door. It’s been ages since I’ve seen it this busy.”

“I don’t have enough to serve everyone.”

“What do you want me to tell them?”

“Tell them I ran out of ingredients. Everyone that waited in line for more than ten minutes will get a twenty-five percent discount for the inconvenience.”

James left to relay the message and lock the doors after the crowd left. Excited that the business had turned around. He had been with Mark since the restaurant had opened. James had been there through all the ups and downs and was anxious to know what changed, but never bothered asking because he knew Mark never revealed his secrets.

He had watched Mark try various new recipes to improve the restaurant while hiring more help and making updates to all the equipment. Mark even remodeled the entire restaurant to gain traction, but nothing worked and he was on the verge of giving up his dream, when he got the idea for the new recipe he had doted on for weeks.

Many late hours, Mark had worked to perfect it. When he finally discovered the recipe that worked the best, weeks later, he couldn’t wait to tell everyone. Of course, the entire staff was skeptical given his past attempts. They loved him for his efforts, but they had long ago given up.

“Chef Mark. What did you put in the pasta? It’s a rave. Guests can’t stop talking about it,” said Rachel.

“Fantastic.”

Mark took his apron off and walked out the back door without answering the question. Elated as he walked across the parking lot to his car. So happy how the night turned out that he momentarily forgot that he had been having trouble with his car. If the rest of the month was going to be that prosperous, he would finally be able to repair his car. Maybe, even get a new one. Resting his head on the headrest, frustrated that his car failed to start for the umpteenth time, but cheered up again after remembering his night. He chuckled at how easy it was to fool the guests. He found it all too humorous.

A new thought plagued him and brought him out of his reverie. Mark wondered about his staff deciding to one day be nosy and search for the recipe. He practically fell out of the car trying to get back inside to make sure he didn’t leave it lying around. Hyper focused on getting back into the kitchen before being exposed, he almost knocked his sous-chef over as he entered the back door before it slammed shut. Nostrils flaring as he stomped into the kitchen. Flipping everything over to search, he made a raucous sound bringing the few straggling employees into the room to check out the commotion.

“Did you lose something?” said James.

Ignoring the question he searched the pockets on every part of his uniform. Not finding it at first, he started to get irate when he remembered he had stuffed it in his sock. Bending down to retrieve it, he stuck his thumb and forefinger between the sweaty fabric of his sock and his ankle. Relieved when he felt the folded up piece of paper in his fingers. Pulling it out to verify it and after getting his confirmation, he left hastily.

Looks of concern covered the staff’s faces, but they were unable to catch up to him before he pulled out of the parking lot. With his forehead covered in sweat, he focused on getting home before anyone could stop him. Not wanting to risk the chance of losing it, he stashed it inside his portal safe. The safe didn’t contain much. The title to his car, the deed to his house and a few mementos of his grandparents. He had a tendency to hide sentimental stuff. He never felt like it should be out in the open. After locking the safe back, he breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed on the couch from exhaustion.

Mark didn’t notice until then that his heart rate had sped up drastically. Momentarily closing his eyes to regain his composure before turning on the television. He found his favorite show and settled in to relax when his cell phone rang causing him to jump slightly off of his seat. Glancing at the screen to verify that it was the person he was expecting he quietly answered.

“We have another one.”

“Fantastic. I’ll pick it up in the morning.”

“See you then.”

Without saying a word Mark ended the call smiling with satisfaction. So glad he got a new shipment so soon. He actually hadn’t expected another one for at least another week, but was grateful for the expedited delivery. He knew he would rest peacefully.

Weeks had slipped away so fluidly Mark didn’t notice anymore. His business was flourishing. He no longer worried about how to get from day to day, even increasing the pay of his entire staff for not betraying him when things got rough. He knew that was an investment worth making. He couldn’t get over how packed the restaurant remained.

Mark went to the store room to retrieve more meat for the newly enhanced pasta. Pausing in the entryway to make sure nobody was following, he proceeded once he knew it was safe. He kept the meat in a box that locked and only he had the key to in hopes that it would deter all curiosities. Pausing again at the freezer entrance, he waited a few moments to listen for any clues that someone may have followed him. Extracting the keys from his pocket, stopping again to confirm that he was alone, he continued to the freezer. Watching the freezer door so as to not be surprised, he blindly guided the key into the lock and opened it. Without looking he grabbed a handful of the secret ingredient and stuffed it into the pockets of his apron. Quickly locking the box in case someone tried to sneak a peek, he replaced the keys to his pocket then returned to the kitchen.

“Why don’t you let anyone get that for you?” said Mark’s sous chef Brian.

“I don’t have an abundance. It has to be portioned exactly.”

Rushing to the prep area to chop it up before anyone joined him, he knew that if anyone discovered what the secret was it would cause hysteria. After finishing the chopping he quickly threw it in a skillet and hoped that it would be unrecognizable by the time anyone entered. He breathed a sigh of relief that he was able to finish the task peacefully. Precooking anything was never his style. He felt like it defeated the purpose of cooking, but this time he made an exception. More out of morbid fear of being discovered. He placed the meat in a container, placed a label on it and placed it in the refrigerator. He hated keeping secrets from his employees, but this needed to be a well-kept one. Keeping it prepped ensured that he wouldn’t have to risk someone seeing it. With that thought, he decided to stay after everyone left to prepare more and store it.

He felt confident about the decision. Assessing the situation in his mind, he was happy with his decision. Mark wanted to know that if he had to take a break for service or any other restaurant issues that needed his attention, he would be able to take care of them without revealing his secret. After preparing a couple of days worth of product, he cleaned his mess and prepared to pick up his delivery.

Double checking his pockets for the keys to lock the box, he was smug when they were exactly where he left them.

Mark once again ran out of his secret product during a rush. Although he found his staff enthusiastic and more than willing to help him, he took the burden. Entering the store room, paranoia set in. Trying to convince himself he was being unreasonable, he tried to talk himself down. Cautiously walking to the freezer, he paused at the entrance once again. Fishing for his keys, he began to sweat profusely and frantically searched his body, when he discovered them in his shirt pocket. Somewhere he never stored them. Instantly relaxing as he clutched them in his hands doing another full scan of the store room before entering the freezer. He was somewhat relaxed when the cold air hit his face. Opening the box and extracting a couple of handfuls before rushing to close it. Holding his apron closed he shuffled out of the freezer. In the rush, he forgot to replace the key back in its location. With his mind racing, he didn’t notice a server had entered and alarmed him when they appeared from between the rows of shelves causing him to drop the key. Concentrating on his words so not to incriminate himself he tried awkwardly to hold a conversation.

“Chef Mark. I don’t know what you’re using now, but the customers can’t get enough.”

“That’s fantastic, James.”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he continued to stare at the server not sure how to carry the conversation.

“I need to cook this before it spoils.”

The server excused him, but noticed Mark wasn’t his jovial self and found it odd that he would be carrying raw meat in his apron. Mark was a stickler for sanitization. Lost in his thoughts about the interaction, James realized he needed to return to work so he followed Mark back to the business.

Mark was cooking the newest supply completely oblivious to his establishment. A member of his kitchen staff knocked into a pile of dishes causing them to fall to the floor. Mark jumped away from the stove as if he was being attacked by an intruder in turn catching the attention of the cook.

“Are you alright, Chef Mark?” said Brian.

“I’m fine. Just didn’t see you there.”

Brian met a server in a corner out of earshot from everyone else.

“Rachel. Have you noticed Chef Mark acting weird?”

“No, I haven’t. But I’ll pay attention now.”

James burst into the conversation slightly over excited about something.

“Guys I found this key in the store room. I’ve never seen it before.”

“Neither have I,” said Rachel.

“Me either, but I’ve never closed. Or opened for that matter,” said Brian.

“What do you think it goes to?” said James.

“Not even the slightest of ideas.”

“I’ll hold on to it in case someone discovers it’s missing.”

James entered the kitchen to help with anything Mark needed.

“Is there anything I can do?”

The sound of James’ voice startled Mark causing him to drop the pan spilling its contents all over the floor.

“Are you alright?”

“You scared me, that's all.”

James apologized and left him be. Brian stepped in to help clean the mess. Mark then returned to the freezer to gather more supplies. Searching for his keys, he couldn’t locate them. Double checking his shirt pocket to make sure he didn’t place them there again. Breathing increasing, he checked every pocket on his uniform again including his apron. Feeling faint he tried to casually walk back to the kitchen, but felt the nausea growing rapidly. Struggling to maintain his composure, he made a beeline for the bathroom. Barely making it through the door, he hovered over the trash can and let go. When he felt like he was finished, he splashed cold water on his face, took three deep breaths, readjusted his clothes and tried to aimlessly return to work hoping nobody would notice.

Mark arrived before everyone to prepare the meat for the pasta. This time he tripled the supply as paranoia consumed him, finishing in time for the crew to start arriving. Trying to feign excitement as he greeted his staff. He forced himself to relax. Informing the kitchen staff that he had prepared enough for a few days and that he had been there all night working on some last minute adjustments to his paperwork and that he needed to go rest. Excusing himself he rushed to his car to cover the newest supply before anyone noticed. Because he was careless and negligent enough to lose the key to his box he had to leave it hidden in his car until he was done. Watching the doors of the restaurant, he confirmed that nothing was exposed and proceeded to enter the car then driving away in a hurry.

Brian went to the freezer to gather more supplies for the kitchen. Upon entering he noticed something unrecognizable on the floor. Bending to pick it up, he immediately dropped it because the rubbery feel gave him the creeps. He kneeled to get a closer look, but couldn’t figure out what he was looking at. Wanting a second opinion, he mustered the courage to retrieve it. Taking it straight to Rachel and James at the server’s station.

“What the hell is that?” said James.

Brian dropped the object on the laminate countertop.

“What the hell is that?” said Rachel.

“Don’t know.”

“Where did you find that?” said Rachel.

“Freezer.”

“Where in the freezer?” said James.

Pausing to recall, he was shocked at the realization.

“By the shelf where Chef Mark keeps his ‘secret ingredient’”

“Do you think this is his secret?” said James.

“I don’t know. Maybe. He has been acting weird lately.”

“Is it rat meat?”

“It doesn’t look like rat meat,” said Rachel.

“Do you know what rat meat looks like?” said Brian.

“Well, no. But what else would be?”

“Snake? Some people eat snakes,” said James.

“Could be cat for all we know,” said Brian.

James remembered the key he had found and showed it to his companions.

“Do you think this goes to the box?”

The trio looked at each other with curiosity and James leading the way to the freezer. With the trio standing in front of the box, James slid the key into the lock and flung the lid open expecting something to jump out at him.

“What is that?” said James.

“I… don’t know. It is a mystery meat,” said Brian.

James, compelled to touch it, grabbed a piece and squashed it between his fingers. The rubbery feel of it gave me chills causing him to drop it back into the box.

“Lock it up. Let’s get out of here, before Chef Mark catches us,” said Rachel.

Quickly returning back to work, they made a silent pact. They knew they now had to face their toughest challenge yet, to pretend they didn’t know anything. James planted the key at the edge of the shelf inside the freezer to make it appear that it was there the entire time. Taking a deep breath, he returned to the business.

Sometime before dawn, Mark met outside the back of his restaurant.

“I’m outside.”

Moments later a van backed to the back door. The driver opened the rear doors and climbed inside. Mark stood by the bumper of the van waiting for the delivery to be unloaded. Smiling upon the sight of the new supply he couldn’t help but feel gleeful. Grabbing one end of the load he helped the doctor finish unloading. Too heavy for comfort Mark placed his end on the ground long enough to get a better grip.

“You ready?” said Mark.

“Been ready. Waiting on you.”

They hoisted it up and carried it through the back door. As they were halfway through the door, a shadow approached that neither paid attention to.

“Chef Mark? What are you doing?”

Mark froze with no response ready. Not sure what to do, he continued to stare at Brian.

“Why are you here so early?” said Mark.

“I left my phone. We only left thirty minutes ago.”

Mark closed his eyes at the realization of the time.

“Is that...a...body?”

“No,” said Mark quickly.

“Then what else would it be?”

Not quick enough to think of a response, Brian approached the object and uncovered the portion Mark was holding and jumped back out of fright.

“I was disgusted when I thought you were feeding people rat meat. But this is unacceptable.”

Contemplating about whether or not he should respond, he took a deep breath before letting his side down. The weight became unbearable causing his arms to ache. Brian could see his arms shaking. Mark hesitated before giving a response. Brian could see the sweat dripping off his chin.

“It’s not like anyone will miss them.”

Brian continued to watch with disgust.

“They’re unknown and have no families.”

Brian began to gag and turned to vomit.

“Come on, man. Everything on this planet is edible.”

The sound of vomiting made Mark feel the urge to gag.

“Brian. They’re not rotten.”

After several minutes, Brian was finally able to compose himself.

“I’m calling the cops.”

“I’ll give you a promotion.”

“You can’t bribe me with hush money. This is wrong.”

“Brian...”

“I thought I knew you. We’ve been together for years. I thought you had integrity.”

Feeling defeated, Mark told the doctor to take the body away. Knowing there was nothing else he could do, he threw the key to Brian and waited for his escort.