Rawls followed the waiter in the red vest and walked into the Laboure restaurant. It was only eleven o'clock and there were very few people in the restaurant. He was guided by the waiter to a seat by the window.
When he first got off the carriage, Rawls was actually a little disappointed. From the outside, Laboure Restaurant did not live up to its hype. The small porch, high oriel windows, and the wall between the windows were all the traditional architectural styles of Loen.
Except for the gorgeous restaurant name written in ancient Fussac script above the restaurant entrance, it is no different from any other high-end restaurant.
After entering, I discovered that there was something else. The ground was covered with scarlet carpets, the stalls were woven with golden branches and vines, and the walls were hung with huge oil paintings and gorgeous tapestries. Elegant gas lamps surrounded by silver grids
Under the illumination, the entire restaurant exudes a luxurious atmosphere.
The dining table made of oak was covered with white tablecloth. Rawls sat by the window. Through the ornately decorated high bay window, he could see the increasing flow of people on the street - it was lunch time.
The waiter in the red vest took the menu and wine list, looked at them and introduced them:
"We mainly serve Backlund's local cuisine here, such as roasted chicken, pan-fried beef eye, fried keel fish, stewed lamb, etc. The most popular desserts among customers include toffee pudding, butter shortbread and carrot cake."
While listening to the waiter's introduction, Rawls browsed the menu written in ancient Fusac language. There were no pictures corresponding to the dishes on it.
That's right, even the latest cameras can't take color photos, and black and white photos can only turn people off. It's better to just use text to describe and introduce specific ingredients.
"A piece of cold salmon, a piece of lamb stew, toffee pudding for dessert, and a piece of gingerbread."
After the waiter wrote down the name of the dish, he continued to ask:
"Okay, do you need some drinks? The champagne, red wine, and white wine we have here all come from well-known wineries in the Champagne province..."
Rawls waved his hand and refused:
"No, I have other things to take care of this afternoon."
He was going to Ken Lister's pub in the Docklands in the afternoon and to St. Samuel's Church in the evening. Both of these things required Rawls to handle them carefully, so he didn't dare to drink alcohol at all.
"Okay, please wait a moment."
There was no displeasure on the waiter's face, he still had a smile on his face and left politely.
…………
Lunch cost Rawls close to 8 pounds, but the experience was really good, there was nothing too fancy. Even if it is aristocratic, it is just a restaurant, and it is impossible to be arrogant and luxurious. However, all the tableware is inlaid with gold.
Rawls was still extremely shocked. He had only seen this kind of tableware fully inlaid with gold in some noble homes.
After walking out of the restaurant, Rawls reached out and asked Fitch, who was waiting on the roadside, to drive the carriage over. He didn't go to the office recently and didn't want to interfere with the normal work of the office, so he simply hired Fitch to be his couple at a price of 2 pounds a day.
Heavenly Coachman.
There must be a premium for the money paid. If calculated by time, Backlund's hired carriage should be about 3 sulers per hour. If it is less than 1 hour, it will be calculated as 1 hour. If it is more than 1 hour, it will be calculated as 15 minutes.
For an additional 9 pence, less than 15 minutes will be charged as 15 minutes. In case of bad weather or emergencies that require speeding up, the price will rise.
Of course, this is for customers who are familiar with prices. If they don't know the prices, these coachmen would dare to shout out the price of 5 suler per hour. Even if they charge normally, this price is almost 1.5 times that of Tingen.
As for when to end Fitch's employment, it all depends on when his future housekeeper will be in place.
Fitch was also very happy that a wealthy gentleman hired him at a price of 2 pounds per day, for three days first, and possibly extended. For him, this was an easy and profitable job.
Fitch flicked his riding whip, skillfully stopped the carriage in front of Rawls, jumped out of the carriage, and opened the carriage door.
"Sir, where should we go next?"
“Dockside.”
After Rawls finished speaking, he got on the carriage and asked:
"Have you eaten just now?"
"No, I have been waiting here for you sir!"
Fitch shook his head quickly, fearing that Rawls would think he was "off duty" and no longer hire him.
Rawls smiled, took out his pocket watch, opened it, gave Fitch a look, and said with a smile:
"Look, it's already past 12 o'clock. After you take me to Yinjing Long Street in the dock area, you can go to eat first. You can also pick up some other guests, but remember to pick me up at Yinjing Long Street at 5:30.
I."
"No, I will wait for you at Yinjing Street immediately after eating."
Fitch answered firmly.
"That's up to you."
Rawls didn't insist and closed the car door. He didn't care whether Fitch's answer was a lie, he just gave him a step up to make him earn a little more.
The carriage shuttled among the bustling crowds at noon. The pedestrians outside the carriage window were in good spirits. They were taking a break at noon. They wore similar suits and walked together in twos and threes. The sounds of laughter and conversation floated on the street.
After all, this is the Hillston District, the economic, commercial and financial center of the Kingdom of Loen. Here is the Backlund Stock Exchange, clearing house, futures center, seven major bank headquarters, various trust funds, and various railways.
companies, various bulk cargo trading companies.
The weekly salary of employees here is generally around 3 pounds, and they are all in the middle class. They are the solid backbone of the Loen Kingdom. If a depression begins here, the economy of the Loen Kingdom will be hit hard.
After watching for a while, Rawls closed the carriage window, drew the curtains, and began to close his eyes and relax, trying to meditate. This is the Hillston District. To reach the dock area, you have to pass through the Jowood District, Backlund Bridge and
Part of the Eastern District.
…………
"Sir, we are about to arrive at Yinjing Street. What number are you going to?"
Fitch's words awakened Rawls from his meditative state. Rawls opened his eyes, opened the curtains, and found that Silver Mirror Street was in front of him, so he said:
"Okay, let's stop here."
Fitch tightened the reins, stopped the carriage, turned around and said:
"Sir, Silver Mirror Street is very long. You don't need me..."
"No, I'll get off here."
"OK."
Fitch jumped out of the carriage and opened the door.
Rawls got off the carriage, lowered his soft felt hat, lowered his head and said:
"Remember to pick me up here at half past five."
"OK."
Fitch was very knowledgeable and didn't ask too many questions. He just did what he should do. This is the wisdom of a small person like him.
Rawls stood up the collar of his trench coat, and the shadow cast by the collar of the trench coat and the soft felt hat obscured his face, and strode into the Silver Mirror Street.
By the time Rawls appeared at the Anchor Bar at No. 112 Silver Mirror Street, he was already a different person.