Today started just like every other day.

Staff arrived at 4:00.

Pre-shift at 4:30.

Doors opened at 4:50.

We opened early so we can seat more people at 5:00. Tonight all of our 5:00’s were sat by 4:55.

At 5:05 I answer the phone. It’s a guy who’s concerned that he can’t find our menu online. Then he has questions. About the cuisine. The prices. Reservations.

About 90 seconds into this phone the chef arrives at my side. He needs me for something.

Usually at this time if he needs something it’s a friend wanting a reservation.

I hand the phone to the lead host.

Chef says, there’s a car in the parking lot. The engine is running. The driver is passed out at the wheel.

One of our line cooks discovered this when he went out to smoke before service started.

I head to the larking lot. Take out my phone. I approach the car. I can see the driver is slumped over.

Chef hangs back with a couple of employees.

I knock on the window.

No response.

I knock again.

No response.

I call 911.

They answer.

I choose my words carefully. I don’t want to create a scenario that may not be true.

I tell the operator that I have a car running in the parking lot. The driver is slumped over. I don’t know if it’s a medical emergency, drugs or alcohol.

He asks a lot of questions.

I answer.

At some point I send chef in to cook. They can live without me. Chef needs to cook.

Eventually, the police officer patches through to our town.

Not long after the police arrive.

He asks if I’ve knocked.

I have.

He asks if the door is locked.

I explain I didn’t try it. I say, in todays times I’m not going to open the door, I have no idea what the result will be.

He knocks. No answer.

He opens the door.

The kid wakes up. He’s mid 20’s.

They talk. I can’t hear.

It’s starting to rain again.

He’s talking to him when the paramedics arrive.

Eventually they take him into the back of the ambulance.

I approach the police officer. He says he doesn’t appear high or drunk but he is out if it.

At this point, I say I have to get back inside.

It’s close to 5:45.

I leave.

The cop eventually checks in. They are taking the guy to the hospital to be checked out. They are leaving the car.

That’s where it was left.

I hope it was just a medical situation. I hope he didn’t break any laws and I hope he doesn’t get into trouble.