DREAM AWAY

It had been a heavy and long working day for the Chinese cook Hop Sing. His boss was Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright and the cook took care of everything belonging thereto. He saw the kitchen as his domain and no other Cartwright had to try to come there to fill his stomach. Especially the second son of Ben, Hoss, had the willing to do so. But the brothers of Hoss (Adam and Little Joe) also had a kitchen trespassing as long as Hop Sing was there.

That certain evening Hop sing fell asleep by the sink.

Hop Sing came into the big living room and saw that the breakfast table wasn’t set yet. In his native language he began to grumble which the Cartwrights heard.

“Pa, now it starts all over again”, said Hoss.

“Whose turn was it to set the table?”, asked Ben.

Adam looked at the roster and said, “Joe had to do it but he sneaked out once again.”

“I don’t blame him”, Hoss reacted laughing.

“Then I will do it again But this is the very last time that I do the chores for Joseph!”, the rancher spoke sighing.

He grabbed the breakfast things together and walked to the dining room. Hop Sing was already sitting at his place at the table.

“Mr Ben, why has Little Joe not set the table? Less wages for him”, said Hop Sing.

“I don’t know where Joe is. But here is your breakfast”, said Ben.

He put down everything in front of his Chinese employer and went then back to the kitchen. Adam and Hoss felt the bad news coming.

“Everything alright pa?”, Adam asked carefully.

“If I lay my hands on that brother of yours he will get it. Hop Sing already has him promised less wages”, answered Ben.

A bit later on Hoss was for it. Like a schoolboy who had been cheating at a test Hoss stood by his employer.

“Mr Hoss, you will scrub the kitchen floor until it shines”, said Hop Sing.

“But I wanted to…”, Hoss said amazed.

“No way because Hop Sing is boss and not Mr Hoss. Otherwise also less wages!”, was the answer.

Hoss went to do his work grumbling. Especially because Adam got sent to Virginia City to get a long list of groceries.

“Time for coffee Hop Sing”, Ben said who came in with a tray with cups and coffee.

“Nice for Hop Sing but not for Mr Ben. He has the nice chore to shovel the toilet clean”, said the Chinese employer.

Ben put down the tray indignant and went angry outside.

“HOP SING! HOP SING! Where is the coffee?”, got called from the living room by Ben.

Hop Sing shook awake, realized that he had dreamt everything but still it was a nice dream for him. Quickly he put the coffee and cups with saucers on the tray and he brought inside.

“Thank you Hop Sing”, said Ben.

“You’re welcome Mr Cartwright”, said the cook where after he disappeared to the kitchen again to dream further.