Alex couldn't take it much longer. She'd only been there for two weeks, but the scullery is no place to be. She seemed to be assigned there during all the peak hours. She knew she was being punished; her poor work ethic in Deck and her incident with Watson all amounted to this. She couldn't take it much longer; she realized how savage and ill mannered her fellow sailors could be. It seemed like the piles of trays, glasses and silver-wear would never end. And she was expected to spray them down and clean them. Complicating matters was her new tattoo and how it chafed against her shirt. She now knew the Navy was a bad idea.
When the lunch rush ended she sat down at one of the tables with a glass of water. She barely pressed it to her lips when she was interrupted.
"What are you doing," the black female Senior Chief said in a stern tone.
"Having some water," Alex replied.
"Take your break later," she started, "go in the kitchen and help them back there. We're behind on schedule."
"Yes Senior Chief," she replied standing up and walking away with her glass.
Alex mouthed the word "nigger" to herself. She was getting tired of being bossed around by minorities. She felt like a stranger in a foreign land. Most of the people who were in supply were black, Hispanic, or Filipino. She couldn't take the constant Spanish and the other language the Filipinos spoke. She made her way to the back and began to clean mop the floor. Everyone was working. She saw that Senior Chief from earlier as she looked in on the work being done. She seemed satisfied.
They were able to finish before dinner. Alex sat down at a table alone and ate her food, which for some reason was actually pretty good. She then discovered that the Commanding Officer was going to dine in the general mess that night. No wonder that Senior Chief was pissed and in a hurry. Then things went from bad to worse. AT3 (AW) Smith showed up. Alex hoped he wouldn't see her.
He was a Mess Decks Master at Arms, or a cookie cop, i.e. a shitbag sent to the mess decks to bully people. They had gotten off on the wrong foot. He had caught her sleeping during work and had it in for her. He sent her to the scullery for punishment. And she saw no way out of it. He often forced her to do even more menial tasks. Anytime there was a working party he sent her, anytime any kind of hard work came up he sent her. And she knew that tonight was going to be no exception. He had it in for her. Through casual conversation she discovered he'd been in the navy for nearly eight years and couldn't advance beyond third class. Occasionally she'd use this a weapon against him to irritate him. But it only would go so far. She saw him grab a plate of food. And unfortunately he sat down at her table.
"Hello Lundz," he smiled.
"Hey Smith," she said lightly.
"Big night tonight," he replied.
"The CO."
"Exactly," he smiled as he picked up a piece of meat with his bare hands, "and I don't want you anywhere on my mess decks."
"You mean the mess decks," she shot back.
"Such a smart ass," he replied as he dangled the meat above his mouth.
"That's disgusting," she said as he fed himself, "maybe you can't make second class because you don't have any manners."
"Fuck you," he replied as he flung part of it towards her.
"Gross," she said as some juice got on her shirt.
"Go dump your tray and clean out Senior Chief's office," he demanded.
She complied and walked away from him. She made it to Senior Chief's office and began by sweeping the floor. She started sweeping and wondered why she even joined the Navy. Her life couldn't be that much worse back at home. At least she had a room and a TV. All she had now was a coffin rack and a dildo. She couldn't take it.
"Hey," a male voice called out.
Alex turned around to see the other Mess Deck Master at Arms walk in the office. She couldn't remember his name but he was much more courteous and receptive.
"I hate to do due this to you but Clayton got his wisdom teeth pulled and I need you in the scullery," he said in one quick breath.
"Okay," she replied putting the broom away.
The scullery was worse than ever. The trays never stopped coming. But somehow she kept up with the pace and was able to keep everything under control. She seemed to have finally gotten up to speed on this thing. Suddenly she saw the Commanding Officer drop his tray off at her window.
"You're doing a good job," he said to her.
