“I cannot believe that dear Alzada is gone!” said the maid. “She’s been poorly, practically since the day she came, but she always managed to get her work done.”
“And with no whining complaints, neither! Not that one,” said another maid.
“Yes, I know. I could tell she was not well. But she kept up her work like a real trooper. I tried to help her all I could, you know. She tried so hard to act like nothing was wrong.”
“I feel so sorry for her. But them others, they seem unfazed by it all. I mean have you heard the things some of them are saying?”
“I know exactly what you mean. No pity for the dead. The way the inmates are acting, you’d think it was a Fourth of July picnic,” said the cook.
“I know. I think it’s disgraceful! Alzada killed! You’d think it was a holiday to see them all. They are as excited as if Bill Blyndon’s band was playing.”
“And just as tedious as ever! That snooty, old bat in 407 reminded me to keep his tea hot. Who knows how long the police will keep them locked up for questioning?”
“Oh, stop your fooling! That kind is never kept waitin’ long. The cops wouldn’t dare! But if they were questioning one of us, huh! You can bet your best bloomers, we’d be given the third degree until the cows came home!”
The staff members laughed heartily.
“Ain’t you speakin’ the gospel truth! You know, I’ve always said the inmates are the haves, and we are the lowly have-nots.”
“I know. But why should we be treated like something you scrape off your shoe simply because we don’t have a boatload of money?
“It’s the way of the world. Always has been. Always will be.”
“Well, if you ask me, I think we got us a prize bunch of hoity-toits, this last go round.”
“The silent sultan. The saucy hot pepper. The grouch from hell. The crude cripple. The list goes on and on.”
“Quite a haughty lot, you’re right. You know, around here, I am very used to that sort of thing.
But that old grizzly that is too good to speak, why, he really is over the moon.
Sent me back to the kitchen three times.
Coffee was too weak. Too cold. Too sweet.
I felt like Goldilocks in ‘The Three Bears.’ I thought my legs would drop off before he was satisfied. Finally, told me to forget it. Wasn’t in the mood for coffee. Sent me back with the last cup untouched.”
“Usually, the men are more tolerant, you know what I mean. If I’m tied up with someone else, and I just can’t get to their request, Johnny-on-the-spot, the men usually cut me a little slack line. But not this lot!
That Mister George is the worst. I think he’s the Devil’s spawn!”
“I know what you’re saying. He has the wickedest tongue. I know he’s a war hero and all that, but really! Just because he’s a cripple, he thinks he can treat us like dung!”
“That flamin’ Mister Wolcott ain’t no better. An ogre, that one is. A real ogre. Got what I call a hairy trigger temper. I ain’t fooling. Tickle his temper, and he throws a tantrum!
I dropped his tie on the floor. He exploded. Scared me outta my wits. Come within a gnat’s breath ‘a wettin’ my knickers.
Wouldn’t have put it past him to have pushed me out the window, he was so mad. Saw it in his eyes. Frightening. Truly frightening. I wouldn’t give ya two cents for neither the men nor the women in this bunch. Love to buy ‘em all for what they’re worth and sell ‘em for what they think they’re worth!”
“That’s the gospel. Oh, look sharp, here’s the doctor.”
“Hello, ladies.”
“Doctor Quintland, is it true what they say? Was Alzada murdered? We’re white with fright! I just want to pack up my belongings and go somewhere safe. I am truly scared to death. Who will be next, Doctor!”
“Now, ladies. We will leave the investigation to the police. You all have jobs to do. The detective is questioning each of our guests. There are quite a few currently with us, so it will take the authorities some time to finish.
Please, be your quickest to assist our guests. They have all had a very trying day. They may be a bit testier than usual but remember the terrible shock they have just suffered.”
“Yes, sir,” said the cook.
“What about Alzada? Isn’t she the one who has suffered the most? I mean, she’s the one who was bumped off,” said the maid, after the doctor was beyond earshot. “He didn’t seem to have the least bit of sympathy for her? Or us, neither.”
“He’s just worried about the inmates.”
“The haves and the have-nots. Remember? Besides, it’s the inmates who sign his paychecks, not our kind.”
“Yeah. But it sure ain’t no fun bein’ a notter. It sure ain’t. I gotta get back to work.”
“We all do. Or else, we’ll be notters with no job and nothing at all!”
“Let me know if you hear anything else.”
“Oh, I will. I may be a notter, but I ain’t not gonna keep my eyes ‘n ears opened. You can count on me.”
“Be careful.”
“You, too.”