Cheap Accommodations

On the coldest night of the year, my man and I decided to brave the brisk evening for some bar-be-que. Choosing Famous Dave's, we quickly made our way in, hunched over, braced against the cold.

We followed the hostess past two large, mostly empty rooms in to a back area filled with people.  As soon as we crossed the threshold, we were hit with a chill not unlike a meat locker.  As we are seated, I begin to realize that all the patrons in this back area are still jacketed and covered with scarves and hats. We sat.

When the waitress arrived, before putting in an order, I couldn't help but draw attention to the chilly atmosphere.  "Why is it so cold back here?"

"Oh, the heater is broken back here.  But we're working on it and there are space heaters placed throughout. "  She smiled sweetly, got our drink order and disappeared.

D and I exchanged looks.  When she came back with our drinks, I couldn't help but ask - "Why would you be seating people in an area that wasn't heated when the remaining part of the restaurant seems to be open and okay?"

"Oh," she began with a dismissive swipe of her hand.  "That's because the shifts haven't started for those areas up front."

My face went blank. Um...are you telling me, there lil' missy, that because the "assigned waitstaff" hasn't arrived yet, you can't seat people in those areas?  Seriously?  The current staff isn't capable of taking care of those tables in the interim?  I looked around at the bundled up patrons again before glancing back at her.

"I know, doesn't make sense, but the hostesses weren't informed."  She smiled brightly.

"You know, I'm freezing."  I admitted.  "Can you just bring me some hot chocolate?"

I sat on my hands, my jacket pulled tightly against me until she came back with a small steaming cup.  Setting it down, she smiled again at me.  "I spoke with the manager, and because of the situation we'd like to offer you free hot chocolate and as many refills as you like."

As she left, I looked at my man.  "So, what is that actually?  Like thirty-five cents?"