Monster's Chef Read Online Free PDF Page A

few things.”
    â€œSure, I’ll do my best.”
    â€œYou were arrested for attempting to buy a controlled substance. Is that correct?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat was the controlled substance?”
    â€œHeroin, to smoke. Usually it was cocaine, but the time I was arrested it was heroin.”
    He paused for a moment and thumbed through the documentation on the clipboard, then returned his unblinking attention to me.
    â€œYou don’t have any prior arrests?”
    â€œNope. I’ve lived a pretty straight life, other than my recent drug experience. I’ve received the best treatment and diversion therapy possible, and I’ve been clean for a year.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear, but you should know that we do an ongoing security check on all employees. If at some point we discover that you concealed any aspect of your personal history, no matter the relevance, you will be terminated immediately.”
    I paused for a moment, wanting very much to tell him to fuck himself, that I didn’t need this fucking job. However, I did need it. I needed to get back to a life that wasn’t embarrassing. Oh, yeah, I needed this job in the worst way.
    I allowed myself hope, a threadbare hope I kept in a sock drawer in the hidden closet in the back room of my confidence, the sad little hope that I could resurrect my career, that I wouldn’t fuck up, that somehow, through some voodoo, I could make Elena want me again, that I wouldn’t make my life a slow suicide, that I’d finally shake that fear that I was out to do myself in, that I couldn’t trust myself.
    I couldn’t afford to tell anybody to fuck off, except for maybe myself.
    â€œI told you everything, except for when I got drunk as an undergraduate and wore this coed’s panties home on my head. I guess that could be considered a crime.”
    Mr. Security gave me a look, a look of disdain, mild disgust. Then, like the sun breaking through the clouds, he smiled.
    â€œI don’t think I’ll need to make note of that.”
    That seemed to lighten the ultraserious moment.
    â€œGood,” I said, and stood to leave.
    â€œOne more thing,” he said.
    He handed me a paper bag. I looked inside and saw a plastic cup with a lid.
    â€œWe need a urine sample. If you’re offered the job, you’ll be subject to regular random drug tests.”
    My pride sloughed off like a skin I didn’t need. I dutifully took the paper bag and went into the restroom.
    I was in luck. Someone had pinned the sports page above the urinal; the Giants were on a winning streak. Quite a few of the workers at the Lair must have to submit to this weekly ritual. I handed the warm container to Security and saw Bridget waving at me.
    â€œYes, he just came in. Do you want me to put him on?”
    She gestured for me to sit down, her eyes flaring as though she’d toss a book at my head if I delayed for a second.
    â€œUse the speakerphone.”
    I nodded, confused as to who I was talking to and why.
    â€œHello?”
    I heard breathing, kind of raspy. I grinned at how silly this felt.
    â€œThis is Monster.” His voice didn’t have that ethereal quality I’d heard in those interviews on VH1. He sounded grounded, even a little hard.
    â€œIt’s an honor to talk with you,” I said.
    â€œWhat’s your name again?”
    â€œWilliam Gibson.”
    â€œRight, you’re the cat who owned the restaurant in New York. You lost it because of drugs.”
    â€œYeah, that’s about it.”
    â€œIt would be cool if we could hire you.”
    â€œI would like that very much,” I said, wondering what would stop him if he wanted to hire me.
    â€œBut I need to ask you a question and you need to answer me honestly. Can you do that?”
    â€œYes, I can do that.”
    â€œGood.”
    I waited for him to ask the question, but he went back to that raspy breathing, as though he had a