“Hey Lady”

I once worked as a short order cook in a small, corner cafe in a casino. The cafe was aptly named “The Corner Cafe,” which I worked at for over ten years. There were several daily specials on the menu which included a ninety-nine-cent breakfast and a twenty-five-cent, all you could drink, cup of coffee.

I soon became known as “Hey Lady,” which the bosses were amused by. They had “Hey Lady” printed on a name tag just for me. Even now, what seems to be an eternity later, when I hear someone say, “Hey Lady” ANYWHERE, I turn around to answer them.

Because of the inexpensive menu, we had a lot of regulars come in, have breakfast, and hang out. I think one of my regulars used to do a stand-up comedy routine at some point in his life, because he’d have everyone at the counter roaring by the time he left for the day. Yes, a 99-cent breakfast, all the coffee you could drink for 25 cents, and entertainment too! I’m not sure if it was the breakfast, the coffee, or Izzy that brought people in!

One line that got old for me quickly though was, “Hey Lady, I want a rubber band sandwich and make it snappy!”

Yesterday I came across a bundle of rubber bands and I was reminded of this elderly gent who brought down the house in my little Corner (cafe) of the world; I felt the need to write about it.

I guess where I’m going with this is to say, keep doing what you are doing. You will be remembered, long after you are gone. The world needs you.

Have a great day – be kind, don’t bite anybody!