Ten minutes later, White-Feather Chicken appeared at the lounge door right on time.
"Cow-Horse, let me in."
It spoke.
"If you want to come in, come in. What, do you need me to carry you in on a grand sedan chair?"
Cow-Horse rolled its eyes.
White-Feather Chicken ignored it and strode into the lounge with its head held high, like an emperor entering its bedchamber.
"Hello, Big Brother Goose."
It greeted Big White Goose with dignified restraint.
"Hello, head chef. Thanks for making the trip."
Big White Goose spoke with a beaming smile.
"I owed a favor, so I had to repay it. The same goes for you, doesn't it, Big Brother Goose?"
White-Feather Chicken spoke coolly.
"Yes. Life in the Restaurant is comfortable, but ultimately, I'm not free. There are plenty of things I can only accomplish through others."
Big White Goose sighed.
It was determined to spend its retirement in the Restaurant until the day it died, so it could afford to be frank about certain things.
"Let's begin. The Kitchen is busy at this hour."
White-Feather Chicken had no intention of making small talk.
"All right."
Big White Goose took Mirror out from beneath its wing, grasped both ends, and pulled, turning the vanity mirror into a full-length mirror.
"Please stand in front of the mirror, head chef."
It gestured invitingly.
White-Feather Chicken wasted no words either, walking over to the mirror and standing ramrod straight.
"This should only take about five minutes. Please don't move around during that time, head chef. And the rest of you, don't move the mirror."
After giving those instructions, Big White Goose wheeled its suitcase into the mirror.
As it entered, White-Feather Chicken's reflection vanished as well, leaving the mirror completely blank.
"Come to think of it, doesn't this count as