March 07, 2004
David here still. I am not actually certain for how long I agreed to do this, but I am getting comfortable, so Faustus may have to pry me out with a crowbar.
Today, I did the unthinkable. Note that what I consider unthinkable may not run parallel to the opinions of the rest of the world, for my transgression was to sneak away from my work and down to Starbucks to read a couple of chapters of a novel and consume a chocolate chunk cookie.
My hideously long to-do list and the South Beach Diet have conspired to transform an event that was once commonplace in my life into a guilty pleasure.
Anyway, I did not begin this story to berate myself (too much). I wanted to mention something I saw.
As I sat reading, one of those middle-aged couples that could only exist in New York City came in. You know the sort: they looked like they had just escaped either from a Star Trek convention or a mental institution, sort of funny-looking and not all there. The thing was, they were so deliriously happy, I could not help but observe them.
“Let’s sit here,” said the man, who had the face of Woody Allen and the hair of the Unibomber.
“I’ll go order,” said the woman. Her smile lit up the room and transformed her polyester pantsuit into high fashion. She returned shortly with a small cup (nonsensically called “tall) and a piece of cake. “It was three ninety-five,” she reported. “Can you believe it? They didn’t charge tax!” She sounded as if she had won the lottery.
I got the idea that money was a problem for them because they talked about how much more expensive the next-larger cup was, but the two shared the small portions with enthusiasm. They were still there, staring into each other’s eyes, when I left.
I do not know why I am reporting this . . . it is not my intention to treat them as zoo animals and marvel that two such bizarre creatures have found love. Ordinarily, I would probably have chosen to write about the wild-eyed woman at a nearby table who was screaming into her cell phone about a bris she did not want to attend.
I suppose it was just nice, as I stole a forbidden moment for myself, to see other people so happy.
Posted by Faustus, MD at 07:28 PM
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Comments
1) Wayne said (on 03/ 8/04 at 04:29 PM):
I think they are a couple adorable couple. :)
2) ruggerjohnnyd said (on 03/ 8/04 at 05:07 PM):
Aw... I love crazy people couples... so much fun to watch... just don't try feeding them!
3) Dr.P said (on 03/ 8/04 at 06:05 PM):
How sweet. Its nice to see people genuinely happy with each other. Especially during these crappy days! (or maybe its just me with the crappy days)
4) Adam875 said (on 03/ 9/04 at 10:35 AM):
You'd think, if money was a problem for them, that they'd get their coffee somewhere other than Starbucks!
5) tim said (on 03/ 9/04 at 06:22 PM):
I hate those types of NYC couples. They probably have more money than you and me combined times 30 because of their fucking rent-controlled loft that they have been living in for the past 30 years. Death to all of them. Maybe I should not have had that large chocolate bar with almonds?!?!?!
6) hot toddy said (on 03/ 9/04 at 06:31 PM):
It's fun to read how differently everyone reacts to the same couple. See, when I read the story I wanted to ask them both to marry me. That's sort of my "gimmick".
7) Cara said (on 03/ 9/04 at 10:54 PM):
It often seems like only deleriously happy adult couples I see are A)horrifically and mutually ugly, ugly, ugly B)"Special" C)nuts or D), you know, so drunk that one feels that bubble might eventually burst.
8) David said (on 03/10/04 at 11:39 PM):
Wayne: Yes indeedy. :)
Ruggerjohnnyd: They did seem rather ravenous. I might have lost fingers. Perhaps if I did try feeding them, I could use a very long fork.
Dr P: They are crappy days for our country. On the other hand, they are nice enough for me personally. I should feel guilty, but I don't.
Adam: There are only Starbucks in my neighborhood. They have cornered the market.
Tim: If large chocolate bars with almonds make people that bitter, perhaps you should not have. Oh, bitter almonds. Is that not the smell of cyanide? I'd better tread carefully.
Hot toddy: Your "gimmick" is asking people to marry you? No one has ever asked me to marry him or her. Someone asked my friend Viki once, but he was a stranger who had just escaped from the methadone clinic, so she said she would have to think about it.
Cara: They were sort of ugly, come to think of it. Damn.
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