Occasionally I get to eat at a fine restaurant like the Golden Corral Buffet. It makes a big dent in my retirement cash flow, but what the hell. My friend and I dined there last week.
When we arrived there was a police car sitting outside the restaurant. The lights were flashing but it wasn't clear why the policeman was there. Maybe he arrested a speeder or perhaps a patron didn't pay. My friend and I went inside and paid for lunch.
I noticed that a fire truck had pulled up behind the police car. There were no sirens but the red lights were flashing on top of the truck. I didn't see any firemen but it is a little disconcerting sitting down to eat with a fire truck outside.
I began to notice firemen walking in and out of the kitchen with portable fire extinquishers. There was no sense of urgency but three firemen dressed in rain gear does make you wonder.
About half way through the first course of food, the fire alarms began to sound. Nobody in the restaurant seemed anxious to leave their table and vacate the facility. The high frequency piercing fire alarm actually hurts the ears. The alarm lasted for about 5 seconds and stopped. Alas, all seemed well. Then the alarm went off again. It was a shorter "burst" this time. Firemen were still wandering in and out of the kitchen.
My friend and I finished our first course and decided it was okay to return to the buffet line. The three firemen were sitting at a table with some of their fire gear removed eating lunch. What the hell? I guess if there is threat of fire, it is good to have experts around. Actually I felt safe having them there.
The lunch was eaten faster than normal just in case. It gives new meaning to a eating at a "hot restaurant". I can't reisist! We ate "hot food". We discussed "hot subjects". I had a "hot date".
There is no lesson Grasshoppers except if you enter a restaurant with a fire truck parked outside, it probably isn't a good thing.
Just a note about food. The State Fair features this year are (1) chocolate covered bacon on a stick, (2) chilled cookie dough on a stick, (3) deep fried peanut butter, and (4) jelly sandwiches on a stick. Oh yeah, don't forget the ever popular "calorie free" cream puffs. Life support teams are on premises to revive you when your arteries clog.
Love,
Dad.