Oof. It was like running into a wall of bricks. Alice fell flat back on her *****, dazed, the wind knocked out of her. Ouch, that had hurt. She looked up, expecting the door to be broken and laying in little pieces in the hallway, considering how much pain she was in. Of course, there the door still stood. Half-heartedly, she backed up again and ran at the door in trepidation, flying right through the doorway as someone opened the door.

Ack! Alice grunted as she crashed into the wall and slid to the floor.

Are you okay? a voice asked in worry.

Alice bit her lip. *****! Was she caught? Stay cool, Alice, she told herself as she pulled herself off the floor, rubbing her sore shoulder. Um, yeah, Im good.

An amused waiter was staring at her with a look on his face that was a mixture of laughter, confusion, and concern. Well, you must be the new hire, I suppose.

I suppose, Alice said noncommittally, ready to bolt if necessary.

Nice to meet you, uh… he peered at the name on the uniform, looking baffled.

Alice glanced down to see the name Enrique in large blue stitching over her left breast. Oops. Its a family name, she said flippantly, resisting the urge to groan. Excuse me, I need to find the restroom. She darted past him, feeling his confused eyes on her retreating back.

Alice stood, panting, with her back against the bathroom door. Close call…Enrique, she muttered to herself. Well, maybe one day shed be able to laugh about this…but definitely not now.

Alice turned to the mirror, putting the last piece of her stolen uniform on. Eat your heart out, Lara. You aint got nothin on me, Alice said aloud as she struck a pose in front of the mirror, her chefs hat perched jauntily on her head. She then smoothed the wrinkles out of her crisp white chefs outfit and went to make her entrance.

Alice got halfway across the restaurant, keeping her face turned from Shane and Dana yet watching them out of the corner of her eye, when she suddenly heard someone call out, Enrique!