Wave of the Future 3/5

A day or so later we see Nels exiting the kitchen with a couple of coffees that he brings over to Harriet and Major Guffey. Major Guffey praises the work of the Olesons and informs them that it is now time to move on to Phase Two: Keeping the restaurant open all day, starting with breakfast. This is obviously not well received. The justification is increased profits, but come on. Has Mrs. Sullivan and company not heard of diminishing returns? I can’t believe for a second that the town’s economy could support such a venture. There are restaurants in actual cities today that still operate only during lunchtime and dinnertime with a closed time in between.

Perhaps the returns aren’t too diminished as Major Guffey hands the Olesons pre-made newspaper ads for them to purchase in all newspapers in a fifty mile radius. Ok, Cleveland is about 30 miles from my front door and I only go to restaurants there for special occasions. Who in their right mind would travel 45 miles, by horse and buggy, just to get a pan-fried steak? I suppose traders would benefit, but if they are in town and looking for a meal they have only one option anyway. I call no waysies. Nels does too, restating his complaints about the workload and whatnot. Guffey counters with another contract citation and a metaphorical busting down of rank for Mr. Oleson. Sorry Nels. Nels counter-counters with an “Oh, yeah?” but is threatened with a lawsuit.

Over at the Ingalls’ homestead, Albert and the other kids are arguing over who has to make dinner. Charles returns home and settles the arguing by proposing that he cook tonight and the first person to complain or not finish everything on their plate will be the next cook and so on. The kids agree and go to gather firewood. Once the door is closed, Charles laughs to himself and confides in Grace, the creepy blond child with a raccoon-like air about her, that he just pulled one over on them. She either laughs or hiccups emotionally. That kid creeps me out.

Later, bemused children are found sitting around the table. Charles tries talking up the food as the kids choke it down. However, no one is complaining and there is full membership in the clean plate club. Charles starts to realize that his plan may have hit a snag. He offers Grace a second helping, but she coquettishly shakes her head no or is trying to scratch her shoulders with her ears.

It’s a new day in Walnut Grove and Harriet and Nels are working in the Mercantile. She starts pestering Nels about not being at the restaurant, but he isn’t having any of it. It’s almost 11 and Caroline and Hester-Sue have been running the place by themselves all morning. General Harriet reluctantly heads over to the restaurant and immediately starts taking orders. How are there so many customers? I stand by my previous no waysies.

Hester-Sue heads to the kitchen for a much needed break with Caroline. They both agree that the hours are insane. Before they can begin forming an insurrection, Mrs. Oleson comes bounding in with more orders. Caroline tries to have a heart-to-heart with Harriet about the job. What follows is a rather poorly executed monologue that boils down to Caroline giving two weeks notice. Harriet is crestfallen and begins to panic. She offers more money, even a percentage of the profits, but then resorts to simple begging. The last option is what works for Caroline and I believe this is the equivalent of a Zonk. Way to go, Caroline. Hester-Sue agrees with me – “You sure told her.”

Here’s my question: If profits are through the roof and there is a large enough population to keep the restaurant packed, why not hire more people? My disbelief can only be suspended for so long.