"Oh, you mean pay special attention to him?" Judy said.

Rossi grinned and said, "You're getting the idea, honey. There's a guy been asking about you tonight. His name is Frank and he's alone at that corner table. You take him a drink on the house and sit and talk with him awhile."

"Yes, sir," Judy said. She didn't mind the assignment. She was glad of a chance to rest her feet.

Frank was an attractive middle-aged man with black hair graying at the temples, a tall lean body, and expensive clothes. Judy brought him a drink, and they chatted for a few minutes. She learned that Frank was an attorney. Then Frank abruptly changed the subject.

"You'll do just fine," he said. "Let's go."

"Go?" Judy said, gawking at him. "Go where? I have to work till after midnight."

Frank looked impatient. "Didn't Tony tell you what to do?" he asked.

"He said to sit and talk with you awhile," Judy said.

"Then he left something out," Frank replied. "You're supposed to come to my place and do what I want."

Judy stood up, face flaming. "I don't believe that," she said angrily. "Mr. Rossi would never ask you to do a thing like that. I'm a waitress, not a hooker."

She turned and started to walk away. Frank made a signal at Rosa, who came hurrying over and grabbed Judy roughly by the arm. He steered her into an alcove where no one could see them. He looked furious.

"You dumb little cunt," he hissed, "you made one of my best customers angry. I thought you understood my instructions. You're not supposed to just talk with him. You're supposed to ball him."

Judy's mouth fell open, and she gawked at her new boss as if she couldn't believe what he was saying.

"But I'm a waitress," she gasped. "I wouldn't dream of doing a thing like that."