Notes from a booth
Arthur’s
Working Notes
I used to work at the plant. Now I sit in the diner with a notebook, trying to work out who gets served first and why. Carmen knows, but she’s busy.
No system
for refills.
NOTES
01
A seat by the window, if it’s free.
FIG. 01 The room, before the breakfast rush.
Arthur’s notebook
A novella by Joe Proveaux
Keep reading ↓
01 / THE NOTEBOOK
Things that seemed small
until I wrote them down.
From the notebook
Working notes
01
“It’s hard to watch people without rooting for them.”
✧
02
“Carmen rotates my chipped mug when she refills it, so the flaw hides in back.”
03
“Who makes the seating chart?”
04
“Who ENFORCES it?”
02 / BETWEEN REFILLS
I’m still
taking notes.
Two weeks in and still no consistent metric for influence at the Table. I figured it would be points-based. A chess rating. One of those apps that converts productivity into streaks and badges.
Instead, three regulars rose and fell in status over coffee refills for no reason I could chart. The only constant: Carmen remembers everyone’s score, even if she refuses to say what it is.
✧ Observation: another refill.
Conclusion: not ready.
03 / THE BOOK
One book.
Both parts.
Part One is my notebook. Part Two includes “What Arthur Noticed” and accounts from the other people in the diner.
PART ONE
01 /
― ― ―
My notebook
What I saw. What I thought I saw. The bits I had to go back and check.
✧
turn the page
→
PART TWO
02 /
▰ ▰ ▰
What Arthur Noticed
Then the accounts from the people I was watching. They know a few things I don’t.
✧
Both parts are included.
04 / WHEN YOU’RE READY
Start with
the notes.
The opening sample is short. See what you make of it.