Circle K and a Difference of Opinion

First, let me say that I’m not opposed to rules. I’m generally a rule follower, unless of course my pride leads me to conclude that any such rule is utterly ridiculous and by such realization feel no need to acknowledge it. Tonight was a similar experience. My friend “T” and I went to Bonjo Java for some reading. We carefully selected a non-sticky table on the deck, located underneath a lovely laminated sign that prohibited outside food or drink. Obviously someone’s inconsiderate decision to bring Starbuck’s coffee to Bongo Java had prompted such a prohibition, as displayed by the crossed out picture of a Starbuck’s coffee cup. Oh the irony that would have followed had that particular table not been so wobbly. We moved to another.

Bags unpacked and books lain out, I went in to buy us two Diet Cokes. I patiently waited in line to ask if they had any Diet Cokes since there were none on the cooler. Nope. They were out of Diet. As I walked outside, there it glimmered, only 30 yards away- a beacon of promised refreshment, the Circle K.- any sized fountain drink for .79 cents. If only Bongo Java had adequately stocked their drinks, I would not have been so inclined to adamantly ignore their “rules.” With two Styrofoam fountain drink cups (with straws long enough to raise a flag on- signaling our rebellion), we sat at our table next to the front door- probably not the smartest location for a rule-breaker to be on display. Beloved Hindsight.

About two thirds through my Diet Coke, or forty-minutes (depending on how you want to measure it), some man, whom I can only assume was associated with Bongo Java since he commented with such authority, said we couldn’t sit there with “those cups.” In my kind and self-justified kind of way, I informed him that I tried to purchase my Diet Coke at Bongo. It’s not that I thought their “No Outside Food or Drink” rule was stupid, I quite understood his point of view. I did, however, desire for him to understand my misinterpreted rebellion. “Well, you can’t bring something in just because we don’t have it,” he stated. “That’s like bringing in steak because we don’t serve steak.” Hmmm. I wish people would think through their examples sometimes. They serve Diet Coke. I wanted Diet Coke. They were out. I brought in my own Diet Coke. Seems simple to me. We exchanged our views. He went inside and I went back to drawing a picture of myself with grillz (don’t ask) and drinking my Diet Coke. He returned about ten minutes later, setting two clear cups on the table, stating that “those cups have to go- it’s advertising.” Finally! an argument that makes sense. Yes, I quite understand that Bongo Java patrons, approaching the door for their daily $5 cup of coffee might see our Circle K cups and suddenly say to themselves, “you know what I really want… a Circle K drink instead of Bongo Java.” Yeah, right.