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Sept. 26, 2005 Every once in a great while I break down and decide that "Denny's" would receive my dinner money. I have yet to see one of these "whiles" become anything less than an experience deserving of words; but this is the first time the words of choice are hitting paper and eventually, keyboard. Many previous opinions of "Denny's" experiences were not quite thought out in the throes of Christian charity. I was seated promptly and the '50s motif with "oldies" playing in the background brought back the appropriate memories. My drink (iced tea) was quickly delivered and my dinner order (Taco salad with a side of seasoned fries) was zipped with dispatch to the kitchen. Now picture the old fat guy sitting in the booth; tapping fingers to oldies; yet overshadowed by the theme music that accompanies "Final Jeopardy"..... The spiders in the hedges are building their webs for their dinner meals. The sun is slowly, but noticeably sinking in the west. If I were still a smoker; a half pack would be done and I would be working my third clean ashtray. Thirty-five minutes and three glasses of ice tea; four apologies for the slowness of the new cook, (I didn't know you had to "cook" the lettuce used in taco salad), assurances that the new cook was replaced by the restaurant owner; and the offer to receive my meal for free; having to wait "From Here to Eternity" for a simple salad and fries; I was finally eating; ensuring the worried waitresses that I had brought nothing with me with which to hit them over the head. I just happened to choose "Let's-break-in-the-new-cook Tuesday. Oh well. I had been reflecting on a full week in the Richmond-Petersburg, Virginia corridor. I was attending refresher training and reacquainting myself with the area after my sixteen months in the Middle East. I wanted to go home. I wanted to go back to where people speak in normal tones minus southern accents where people "ax" questions like: "Where was we?" No offense to Virginia intended. I love the Fort Lee area of Colonial Heights, Peters burg, Hopewell and Chester. Those places are "home" to me when I am away from home. I have many friends there and a few had heard I was back in town and tracked me down to conduct the catch-up "blab-and-gab". Nobody bought me dinner, but there's always hope for the next time. Seriously though... I haven't seen a "Denny's" in Kuwait. Trust me; their American reputation for "sluggish" service would never suffice in the Kuwaiti world of speed in all things while we worry about safety another time. Yet, "Denny's" is an American tradition that I will try again some day. It would seem un-American to completely ignore a food franchise that I am still seeking at least one fond memory of. Here's hoping. ------------ About the Author: Michael John McCrae has contributed over 400 articles to Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: macswordV@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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