Chapter 10

Solomon blinked back tears. “Shalom, my friend.”

A four-piece band played a variety of soft songs in the dining room. Diners were greeted, and dinners were served. It felt good to be back at work. Solomon was a little slower than normal, and Mikhail helped him.

Once desserts were served, the captain, in full uniform, appeared in the middle of the dining room with a cordless microphone. The music stopped. “Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. I’m Captain Giovanni DiBari. As you know, several days ago, we had a small fire in a laundry room. Sad to say, it increased our costs, and you are all required to pay an additional thousand dollars or we won’t let you leave the ship.”

The diners laughed.

The captain smiled, showing his white teeth. “The reason I am here is to publicly thank the two heroes of that day, who, according to training and their courage, prevented the fire from leaving the room.”

He made no mention of the failed fire hose, automatic alarm, or sprinklers.