The Buckets by Greg Cravens for January 10, 2022

You might be able to book a free conference room at your local public library, if they have them. It used to be free of charge. Not sure about that any more though.

We ordered something the last time we came in, does that count?

Why is there a voice demanding ordering but no waiter/waitress attending the table? Do you have to order at the bar where they live? (That is the MO in Britain, but not in France, e.g.)

As for the ‘Spot the big difference’ game yesterday. I finally answered. Everyone had perfectly sound guesses- though no one hit on the one thing I’d never done before. Have another look and see if you can finally guess before you check the comments.

In group therapy there is supposedly a therapist.

Years ago there was what we’d call a fast-casual restaurant in our town. Had THE best fish sandwiches. Also became the after-date hang-out for local teenagers. Not looking for trouble, just a place to talk, drink coffee, grab the occasional burger, etc. My then-boyfriend and I drank a LOT of coffee there. One evening a waitress with whom we were familiar (and to whom we were always considerate and polite and whom we always tipped) had a sudden nervous breakdown at our table when we ordered coffee. Started yelling that she wasn’t a servant, that we couldn’t talk to her that way (“Two coffees, please”??), just ranting on and on. We didn’t see her again, that evening or any other time. I think she’d just had it and felt safe taking it out on us. It’s not an easy gig.