A Unique Visit to Starbucks

I was planning to write a second post on old song lyrics today. But after the mushroom story, I need to rehabilitate my reputation—I’m usually a good person to have around. So I’m going with something more serious.

One afternoon in August '09 my office was too warm, I needed something cold. So I made my 1st visit to Starbucks. Like most office buildings in the US, mine has a Starbucks on the first floor. I headed downstairs.

The line was very long—which was good, because I needed time to look at the menu board (and wonder, “What’s a ‘Venti’?”). I vaguely heard a man speaking loudly behind me, but that’s not unusual and I was focused on the menu. He started yelling and at first his words didn't register, but eventually started to sink in. “Aren’t you Vietnamese? You should be at the protest!” He was yelling about a protest against the US that evening at the Vietnamese Embassy (agents of the US were beating and killing some-one, somewhere). Finally I heard a small voice say, "I'm a US citizen and support the US government." I turned to see a fellow dressed all in black (like a commando-wannabe) standing over a tiny woman (I guessed late-40’s, so she was probably mid-60’s) who was nearly in tears. I asked her if they were together…she said no. I asked if she wanted to talk to him…she said no. So I invited her to go ahead of me in line and I stepped in between her and the crazy man.

Since he couldn’t get to her, he turned on me and for some reason that amused me. Loud and angry, he told me I couldn’t do that, I didn’t even know her. I told him we were old friends. Then he said I couldn’t tell her who she could talk to. I told him I get jealous when she talks to other men (she smiled at that) and assured him no one wanted to talk to him. He started rambling about Fox News and the US government. Then he wanted to know what evil agency I worked for. So I told him my boss controlled the entire government, that I worked for the devil (I don't! ;P). Next he asked my name so he could reveal my evilness on Fox News. I almost gave him the name of someone I don’t like, but decided against it. At that point I noticed the lady had her drink and was walking out the door, so I turned to place my order. For some reason he grabbed my shoulder. When I slapped his arm away and turned towards him, he just walked away, talking quietly to no one in particular. When I headed out later, he started walking towards me. But when I stopped and glared at him, he turned and walked away again.

It was a very weird visit to Starbuck’s. Since the place was so crowded and no one else said anything, part of me wondered if I had just been taped as part of a Dateline special on whether people will try to help in that kind of situation. But no one asked me to sign a release, so I guess it was all real. I looked for both the man and the woman the next few times I walked past the place, but so far I haven’t run into either of them again.

I have a handful of stories like this. This one is the most unusual--but also the most boring. If I share another, it will have a little action.

Have a great weekend folks and thank you for stopping by. I truly appreciate it. As my friend at Pop Champagne mentioned about tweeting, this wouldn’t be fun if I was writing to myself. :o)

PS - I went with a grande mocha frap.