stop with the water, please

you want

your waiter to be attentive,

to be

nice, but

not too nice.

not too friendly.

talking slowly,

but not too softly.

of course you want to hear

about

the specials,

but you don't want a song

and dance

routine, or

to know what they might

prefer,

or what school

they went to, or

how they got here.

you don't need your

water to be topped off after

every sip,

or to bring

your entree out before

the salads

are finished.

just bring the bread, no need

to ask.

and butter.

oh, and we'll need sharp

knives

for the steaks,

these butter knives won't do.