Emilia Perez needed a Sharpie. A server at Mad Rooster Cafe, a breakfast spot near American Family Field, for the last five years, she always has at least one pen, if not more, on her person. That wouldn't cut it this time. She needed something stronger, more permanent. Like a marker.
This time, Perez was not taking a customer's order, writing down what they tell her. It was the opposite, a customer taking her request.
The customer in question is Pat Murphy, who graced Mad Rooster Cafe for the second time this MLB playoffs on Oct. 23, hours before his Milwaukee Brewers would host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series.
Perez had just taken Murphy's order and, with a moment to pause, knew this was the only chance she'd have to get his signature. Because employees are allowed to wear Brewers gear on game days, Perez was dressed perfectly for the occasion.
All she needed was a sharpie.
Perez checked every pocket of her apron and found none. She ran to the kitchen, asking the chefs whipping up American-style comfort food if they had one. No luck. Growing more desperate, Perez started asking all her coworkers, anyone in her line of sight. In the meantime, Rosa, another worker, was getting her shirt signed by Murphy and passed Perez the marker.
Phew.
Perez passed Murphy the marker and turned around.
"To Emilia," he wrote. "Thank you."
Signed, "Pat Murphy, 2026."
Pat Murphy ordered same meal from Mad Rooster Cafe in second visit
The last time Murphy went to Mad Rooster Cafe, before Game 1 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, people did not recognize him immediately.
When he walked back through the barn-style front door 12 days later, in the same black sweatshirt and again with three others, people noticed right away. Murph was back.
Except Perez, who had a full section amid the morning rush and was not paying attention to who walked in. All she'd been told, much to her displeasure, was she had another customer in the back room. Her first question, unsure how she'd add another table to her busy plate, was how many people?
Then she was told who it was, and all her fears went away. For Murphy, she'd find time.
"I'm so lucky," Perez told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel hours later.
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When Perez went over the welcome him (back), Murphy needed only one look at her.
"I remember you," he told Perez, who's section is adjacent to where he sat last time.
Murphy asked Perez for only a cup of ice − he brought his own mystery potion in a container − and placed the same order as last time. Egg whites, green peppers and sausage with a side of toast; this time it was rye. Again no pancakes, leaving one to assume he must have already had them stashed in his pocket.
He placed the order, and after writing it down with a pen, Perez began her search for a sharpie.
Pat Murphy tipped his server $100, and signed her shirt
Murphy wasn't at Mad Rooster Cafe for as long as time time. Perez put coffee on his tab at 10:20 a.m., and the check was paid by 11:07 a.m.
Again, not by Murphy, who lost out on another battle for the bill to one of his table companions. At least he's winning where it matters most.
"Your check is being taken care of," Perez told Murphy.
"Come on Emilia, please don't tell me that," he responded.
Perez told him there was nothing she could do about it anymore, before he offered up an idea.
"Charge me double," he said with a straight face and serious tone.
Because Perez couldn't do that, Murphy had to pay with his time. Like last time, that meant pictures and autographs with the staff. He told Perez to go wrangle her coworkers for a group photo, while also making sure to get a 1-on-1 with his server.
After the photo, Perez had to go back to her other tables. As Murphy made his way to the door, he found Perez and gave her, as a final thank you, a hug − and a $100 bill. Perez made him sign that, too. "Pat Murphy" is written in purple ink write across Benjamin Franklin's face.
Murphy handed Perez the cash and walked out on his way to American Family Field, ready to manage the Brewers' first World Series game since 1982.
Everyone remembers how Game 1 of the NLCS − and the entire series − ended. If the Crew take a 1-0 lead over the Rays, perhaps Murphy will have to make Mad Rooster a pre-game ritual whenever the Brewers are home.
Jack Albright covers West Allis, Greenfield, Greendale, Hales Corners and West Milwaukee. He can be reached at JAlbright@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers manager graced this Milwaukee restaurant before World Series
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