His head lifted from the couch, and he took a sip of wine from an already-poured glass. He squinted at 'Benny,' according to Rose's screams, and perked up with an idea...

"And you are?"

Could he finally fire Rose for being pregnant?

Benny dodged Rose in case she tried to hit him with the pin and smiled as the man wasn't throwing him out immediately. "Ah! I'm Benny, sir! Benny Green! I'd shake your hand but I'm sure mine isn't clean enough for you to have to handle, sir." He really pushed the politeness by holding the hat in both hands and looked at him full of hope.

"I am an associate of Rose, nothing more, but she worked here. I figured since you're clearly a man of success and good breeding, maybe you could help a nobody like myself out? I'm sure you know someone who could use a hand for a little indeterminate time? I'll do anything, cept thing that need writing. I can do a little reading but my penmanship is shameful... That's all. I'll be out of your way if you just promised to consider? I can be quiet and be outta someone's hair, quick as a shadow."

Don't mention me. Don't mention me. .... Shit. Rose put her head in her hands. She was going to lose her job.

Zechariah looked down at the man's hand in silent agreement to the sentiment, then back. His thumb kept place in his book, foot still leisurely resting on his knee with his shoes set to the side.

He could use a round through the laundry whole and whole ... but he was polite. Breaking and entering aside.

"And how did you come to be associated with my maid, Mr. Benjamin?"

Benny answered quickly, remaining relaxed and hopeful as he looked towards Zechariah. "I simply ran into her in town a few times and happened to talk to her, and once her family let me have dinner with them. I'm not a resident of town, sir.. I'm a sailor, but my ship left and until they return I need work. It's why I'm here."

Ok, at least Benny didn't mention the socialist meetings. Still, Rose listened anxiously.

Hmm. Not from town. Breaking and entering. Rose did not seem to like him.

"What is your experience with cooking, Mr. Benjamin?"

Benny was surprised by the question, but answered it quickly with his head slightly down, mostly so he wouldn't show the delight he had in bugging Rose. He actually liked her and all but she was boring and stiff.

"Ah, I've cooked, sir. On the ship. I learned a little in my travels but I've usually stuck to simple meals to feed a lot of people. I could try to learn to make better tasting and more sophisticated meals like you'd be used to, if you gave me the chance... or whoever it is you've got in mind.'

Wait? Shouldn't cooking be her job?!

He should probably spare expenses on a real cook, but then - all the better to disgust Nesah out in short order.

"I see. Tell me, Mr. Benjamin: if a man larger than you came in the back door, just as you did, or harassed your front door until someone answer to stop the assault, and your job was secure here but for another man barging in through the servant's entrance begging the same or worse: what would you do? Spare no detail."