Secela could hear the noise of The Hungry Chicken by the time she went downstairs. She had taken a nap, and so it was much later by then. It was the end of the workday, and customers had begun to appear.

                “What should I do now” Secela asked, as Harda served a customer from behind the counter. They both had to yell over the noise of tavern.

                Who knew so many people could live in such a tiny town? Secela wondered to herself.

                “Yes you can help with—yes just a minute—the dishes for now but when this place closes, you can – hold on now—sweep up the floors and clean,” Harda said, but she kept getting interrupted by the customers, who were either demanding more food or more drink. Harda handed Secela a few mugs and plates, and she got to work diligently, very experienced in doing dishes and other chores from her days in the orphanage. As she did her work, the hours went by quickly, and Secela started to get sleepy. Her internal clock told her that it was well past her usual bedtime. The Hungry Chicken was starting to close though, fortunately. As the last customer went out the door, Harda handed Secela the broom, saying, “You should sweep and scrub the floors now.” Secela stifled a groan, but took the broom and got to work again. She swept and scrubbed the wooden floors, but by the time she was done, She was half dead with sleep. She walked like a zombie to her room, fell down on her bed without changing into her night clothes, and fell instantly asleep. It felt like less than a second later when she woke up, but she saw through her window that the sun was higher in the sky than she had expected. Secela hurried to put clothes on, brush her red hair and put it in its usual pigtails, and wash her face. When she came downstairs, she saw that quite a few people were already there for breakfast.

                “What time is it?” Secela asked, fully awake now. Harda smiled.

                “Looks like someone finally woke up!” she said. It’s about nine o’clock by now I think.”

                “What work can I do?” Secela asked.

                “You should probably ask for your pay, I should think,” Harda replied. “Mr. Griem should be in his room upstairs. It’s the third door on the left.” Secela thanked her and hurried upstairs, eager to get her money.