Mark woke feeling tired and sore. The last two days had about killed him, and here he had to do it again. The way he was feeling, he almost would prefer being dead. Before he could even open his eyes, he could hear the stomping of Clara’s feet as she was trying to get him to wake up. He really was not sure he could do this for another day, but he did not know a way out either.
When he finally made it into the kitchen, it was totally different from the first day. Back then, it was just utter chaos. Today, it was running really smoothly. Trays were organized, people were quickly moving around, things were going in and out of ovens, and no one was in a panic; it was such a change that had been made.
Clara pointed to Mark’s station and gave him a list of tasks. She was no longer merely trying to help him; she gave directions without hesitation and acted fully in charge. Apparently, Mark had become her assistant.
Dale was walking around directing people. He was confident, and everyone was listening and doing the tasks he wanted. He was tasting food and praising those working on it, encouraging workers and waitstaff that were coming in and out of the kitchen. He adjusted a thing here or gave a pointer to another. It was an amazing thing he had accomplished.
Mark saw that Risa was directing those under her and checking timers on the oven and making sure every roll and every cake that came out was perfect. Milo was at the meat table cutting, saucing, smoking, and adjusting portion sizes. They were extremely calm today under the pressure of the end of this experience.
Clara looked like a miniature Dale as she directed her own group. Mark enjoyed watching her. Her approach to others had changed and improved, though she still glared at him whenever he slowed down to look around.
The announcement was made, and the banquet service began. The whole process went on with only a few small adjustments. Dale stopped one person from taking something and tossed it in the trash and gave him something else, but other than small adjustments, the hours flew by. It had to have gone on for at least 10 hours, and then they heard it: the final bell sounded, and it all went quiet.
The kitchen and the people faded away. They were there one minute and gone the next, and then the five of them were standing side by side directly in front of a portal. As he looked at the others, he realized he was not the only one who looked tired. Before he could think to do more, a system message appeared.
[Grand Harvest Banquet Completed]
Primary Objective: Successfully prepare and serve the Grand Harvest Banquet.
Final Evaluation:Meal Preparation: SuccessfulKitchen Coordination: SuccessfulIngredient Management: StableService Timing: ExcellentFood Quality: Above ExpectationsLabor Adaptation: Exceptional
Achievements Recognized:Emergency Kitchen Staffing StabilizedIngredient Shortages Successfully ManagedMultiple Meal Delays PreventedBanquet Service Completed Without Major DisruptionWaste Reduction Measures ImprovisedKitchen Efficiency Improved During Active Operations
Rewards Granted:Moderate Profession Experience AwardedIf you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Moderate Cooking Experience AwardedMinor Coordination Experience AwardedExpanded Recipe CollectionProfessional Kitchen Knife SetAssorted Spice Bundle x 3
Bonus Reward: Seasoned Spice Pouch
Item Effect: Slowly replenishes small amounts of common cooking spices over time.
Scenario Insight:
Large-scale food preparation requires planning, timing, coordination, and adaptability.
Civilization depends not only on food production but also on the ability to efficiently prepare, preserve, and distribute meals under pressure.
Time Elapsed Inside Instance: 3 Days, 6 Hours
External Time Passed: 1 Hour, 18 Minutes
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Dale turned to Risa and gave her praise for the oven coordination and the great job she did at organizing and keeping things flowing well in that department.
Dale then turned to Milo and praised him for his adaptability and his reduction in waste, saving them time and pushing them over the hurdle to feed so many.
He next turned to Clara and praised her for being so aware and for her initiative and drive to complete all the tasks she had and to lead others.
Finally, he turned to Mark and said, “You know you were just terrible.”
Mark looked shocked. “I am so sorry; I tried my best. I even got a few cooking skills.”
Dale laughed. “You know, every kitchen needs labor, and it matters too, so I guess good job also.”
Dale then looked down at his feet, where his rewards were sitting. He loved the kitchen knife set even though he would need to split it between the three cooks. Then he picked up the spice pouch, and he almost lost it.
Dale said, “Wow, this thing is crazy; you just hold it and think of the spice you want and sprinkle it out. You then think of another spice, and it comes out. Oh, and you can even get earth-based spices. This is mine; I am claiming it.”
Everyone looked at Dale and told him it was his, and he hurried and put it away in storage like someone might steal it if he let go of it. They then went and handed out the spices and flipped through the recipes that they had received. Clara was so excited; she had leveled twice and even got a few new skills. One more level and she would be able to get a class.
Then they all walked through the portal together. The cool air that hit them was a shock at first. Mark had not realized it was as hot as it was in the kitchen until they landed outside.
The five of them walked back toward Forest’s Rest, discussing their gains, what they had done well, and what they had improved. Clara pointed out how almost useless Mark was at the beginning but begrudgingly admitted he finally could peel a potato.
When they finally got to Forest’s Rest, he looked around and could not find his A-frame. Then he finally realized that all of the changes were done. All the construction workers were gone. The line at the kitchen was still there, though. The work area was complete, and he could hear sounds from inside, where there had to be a few people making a racket.
Mark just stood there lost; he did not know where to go. Then Dale finally pointed to the cabin behind the storage and said, “That is your cabin, Mark; we moved all your gear into it, and there are a few housewarming gifts. It was finished when you were gone.”
He just looked at the cabin. He had come to this place lost and confused. He had built shelters and then improved them. But today he had a real cabin. And others built it for him. Not the old a-frame that might have blown over if you blew on it but a real home.
He opened the door. Its main room had a table and a really comfortable-looking leather chair. It reminded him of his favorite chair; he had described it once to Tom, and he guessed that was his housewarming gift. There were a few decorations on the wall and a really nice-looking rug on the floor. It had a small table and wooden chair where he could sit and eat his meals.
He went into the room on the left, and it turned out to be an office. It had a desk, including another chair; this one was not as fancy as the one in the sitting room but would still be comfortable while he sat at the desk, though he, for the life of him, could not figure out why he would sit at a desk. He finally went into the last room and found a large bed about twice the size of the one he had been using, and when he went and felt it, he just knew it would be comfortable.
When he lay down, he decided to sleep for an entire day. If Clara came to wake him, he would pretend he was dead.