Chapter 8 - The Domino Effect
The heavy-set man blinked.
The red flush of anger on his neck began to recede, replaced by a pale, sickly confusion.
He opened his mouth, searching for a threat to throw at the older man.
Before he could speak, a chair scraped at table seven.
A young woman in an evening gown stood up.
She crossed her arms over her chest, staring directly at the bully.
At table two, a young couple stood up in unison.
The man dropped his cloth napkin onto his plate.
The woman adjusted her purse strap.
They did not look away from the grey suit.
The scraping of wood against the floor multiplied.
It became a dull, rhythmic rumble echoing from every corner of the restaurant.
Four businessmen in the corner booth rose to their feet.
An elderly couple near the window stood, the husband holding his wife’s elbow for support.
They stood up.
One by one. Table by table.
No one whispered. No one shouted.
The only sound was the rustle of expensive fabrics and the shifting of chairs.
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Within thirty seconds, the entire dining room was on its feet.
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