Fine Dining

Man oh man! I assembled a mop just now and the end result resembles something of an intravenous device. I guess I'll start over. Too many tubes for a mop; technology is killing me.

On a somewhat lighter note...

I can always tell when the loners come into the restaurant. I can tell they aren't just hotel guests because they come in all poshed up, but not in a proffesional way. No pant suits or ties that match the color of the power point slides.

Believe it or not, that last part was not me trying to be sarcastically cute, it actually happens all the time. Sometimes the other colleagues poke fun at the poor guy for it.

Whenever I ask if I can get the additional place setting out of the way, the Loner always raises their hand up, almost as a physical effort to protect the empty seat.

"The extra dishes don't bother me"

"Sir, it's really no trouble at all..."

"Leave it."

I make eye contact with them at this point. It's my way of saying It's okay, I understand-- without getting fired. Sometimes they feel a need to further explain their situation.

"I'm not expecting anyone, but you never know, do you?"

"Indeed"

males laugh at this point; females smile. males usually end with:

"You could always join me! ha ha ha"

I usually raise my water pitcher as if I were proposing a toast.

"I would if I could"

Sometimes they then joke about me paying for lunch to break the awkwardness that often follows the small talk. I always tell myself , "They started it!"

But then again, maybe not. Do I push people's buttons?

Nah, I'm not a sociopath.