Dora showed the new young woman where the glasses were and told her not to worry about mistakes. It was her first trial day at the event venue run by Dora's partner. He had promised they were seeking another permanent server. Dora prepared schedules and welcomed guests but did not make hiring decisions. She believed previous applicants had simply withdrawn because work often continued late into the night.
The young woman was Nika. She worked carefully, asked when uncertain, and stayed until the last table was clean. Before leaving she asked when she would hear the result. Dora's partner said he would call, then gave her taxi money as though generously considerate. Dora noticed no mention of the whole shift. Nika explained she had been told the trial was unpaid but she was almost certain to get the job.
A new applicant arrived the following week. Dora asked what happened to Nika. Her partner said he wanted someone who fitted better. She had heard that sentence several times. At the next event a guest recognized another young server and said her brother had done the same trial the previous month. Nobody had called him either. Dora began counting evenings applicants worked as though already employed.
At home she asked whether a vacancy existed at all. Her partner laughed at her seriousness and said every small business must find ways to survive. Applicants gained experience, they gained help, nobody forced anyone. Dora looked at a schedule full of Saturdays where trial stood beside fresh names. It was not clumsy recruitment. The first day was the whole system, endlessly repeated before people promised a second.
When the next applicant called, Dora did not give her rehearsed reply. She said she could promise no employment and a paid shift must be discussed before arrival. Her partner overheard and accused her of destroying his business. Dora replied that she would not lend her voice's credibility to an offer she knew was unreal. They worked the rest of the evening alone, exhausted as others had previously been, leaving with hope instead of earnings.
Dora left the job and soon the shared apartment. She called Nika and apologized for not asking clear questions earlier. The young woman said she had found other work and wished her luck without particular warmth. Dora accepted that no gratitude was owed for her belated withdrawal. On her first day at her new job, she asked when the shift ended and how she would be paid. She asked both questions without the smile that used to soften them.