The Remedy: Bringing Lean Thinking Out of the Factory to Transform the Entire Organization

Chapter 14. Be My Phenomena

April rains washed out the grimy slush of winter. Central Park sprouted greenery. Cherry trees bloomed in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Sarah, the girls, and I took in the Easter parade. Sarah was Catholic and that night we attended Easter Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. A week later we celebrated Greek Easter at St. Irene's in Astoria. Then we had a feast at Uncle Louie's. Mama made baklava and spanakopita. My aunts chipped in with other delicacies. The girls ran wild with their cousins.

Meanwhile, Harry and I were noodling proposal ideas. Given Chloe's imminent launch, I let my brother take the lead. I wanted to do something special for Sarah, something she'd remember. I expected her to accept my proposal, although I wasn't positive. One more thing to worry about.

The Park is an art deco treasure, a grand hotel in the old style. I love the mosaic floors and the four-sided clock in the main lobby. I love the antique elevators that take you to the Top of the Park, my favorite rooftop bar. The outdoor patio is magic on a balmy night.

Gus Lambrakis, the head bartender, is an old buddy of Dad's. He has great stories about the movie stars, mobsters, and mental cases he's served over the years. "John Wayne . . . of the old-time stars, he was my favorite. What a gentleman! Nowadays, I'd say Tom Hanks. Tom is good boy. He is like us. He married a Greek girl, you know . . ."

Gus's son, Paul, is headwaiter. I talked to them both in advance, explaining what was up ...