Carmellina, she's worked there almost 30 years, 70 years old now, she's been there since the restaurant first opened. The other Italian ladies have been there over 20 years each, but they aren't as competent, salads and prep is what they're good at, they don't know the recipes, can't work on their own...
The regular customers, they cut through the kitchen after their meals, praise the food, thank the owner, nod and say hi to the women in the kitchen, they should know them but they don't, just a general "hi" and a wave in their direction, then they exit through the back door.Carmellina, still one of the sharpest knives in the drawer, smiling she waves goodbye back, "fuck-a-you very much" she says, and her eyes glitter behind her glasses.