This doesn’t look good. I've been forced onto this ferry, and we’re about to arrive at the Shaoling Monastery where I’m supposed to cook for a gaggle of stinking scalies. Me! Feeding scalies! Of all things. Besides, the Emperor of Chandara, a scaly type himself, renamed me ‘Grungchok!’ My real name is Lee Crabb – a name of no little significance back in Volcaneum. Though I’ve escaped from house arrest there, now it looks like out of the frying pan and into the fire for me…
“Welcome to Shaoling! I’m Heraclio, your kitchen assistant. It’s so good to see you.” “Well, I’m so glad to meet another human 'skinny' here.” “No doubt the emperor has described your job as master chef, cooking fish for our seven Acrocanthosaurus warrior-monks. Each weighs five tons and eats about 90 pounds of fish daily. Do the math, and that’s over six hundred pounds. Let’s see how it’s done as we walk through the kitchen.”
I follow Heraclio from the dock. “This is our prep area. Here I work with Bryon and Hunter, two Deinonychus. They can filet a fish in seconds with their foot claws. Together we clean the fish which the crews bring in daily. Over the years, we’ve developed quite an efficient operation. We bring you cartloads of fish and eels, ready to cook.” “Oh no!” I grumbled to myself. “Scalies even in the kitchen.”
“Next, your cooking station. Notice the huge pot, fashioned from those silly weapons you were hoarding. As their title suggests, the Acrocanthosaurus warrior-monks have two jobs. Their spiritual wisdom brings great benefits to Chandaran society. And they also defend the city in case of attack. Your puny weapons could not save the city, but these warriors can! Besides the cooking pot, there’s ovens for baked fish. The larder is stocked with spices and other ingredients to flavor your cooking with sauces, gravies, and dry rubs. This rack holds the recipe scrolls. Let’s have a look at one.”
I unroll the scroll which Heraclio handed me. “I can’t read this. It’s scaly writing!” “All the dinosaurs here deserve the utmost respect, so please don’t ever say ‘scaly’ again! Yes, the recipes are in footprint language. Didn’t you learn it in school?” “Are you kidding?” “Then certainly you’ll need to learn it here. Even worse is your attitude. Your job is not punishment. Rather, you enjoy an honored position – serving these distinguished Acrocanthosaurs. And this is no jail. The windows don’t have bars. You’ll find your quarters quite comfortable. Once you grow into the job, I hope that you’ll find it to be a satisfying career.”
Heraclio continued, “You know what happened to the last chef. Believe me, I’ll do all I can to keep you from the same end. While you learn the ropes, I’ll do the cooking with you as my assistant. I can translate footprint for you. I’ll continue to speak with the Acrocanthosaurs on your behalf. Simply stated, I want you to succeed. You only need to apply yourself to learning as best you can. So, what do you think?” I said, “Sure, let’s do it!”
While what I’m planning to do is…
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