As Medford and I stepped off Boomer’s back porch to walk over to the Cyber Café this morning, the old Pruett’s Pig Powders thermometer tells us that it is 33ºF this fine clear St. Paul morning. This past Tuesday we enjoyed beach-weather of 66ºF (absolutely shirt sleeve weather)!

We arrived at the café to find Molly calmly speaking to someone on the phone (Molly? Calm? And just why would a cyber café even need a phone?): “I’m sorry sir,” we overheard her say, “we already have a coffee supplier, and are quite happy with the service.”

She acknowledged our presence and with a raised index finger, she signaled she would be with us in a minute. Don’t you just hate it when you go into a place of business, and the person who should be waiting on you is on the phone and won’t even look at you, or in any way acknowledge that you are there?

We helped ourselves each to a porcelain, not China (but made in China) Codger Collectible™ Mugs (have we mentioned the spiffy March Edition is now available?) of organically & shade-grown, Fair Trade, Sumatran Roast coffee, and made our way to our usual table. The table by the front plate-glass window, where we can and often do, make remarks about passers by.

We were just about to sit in our usual places when we heard: “Look, you ninny, I’ve politely said to you three times that we are not interested in doing business with you!” (short pause) “I’m the ‘decider’ here. Please be ever-so-kind and remove us from your calling list!” She quietly hung up the phone.

“Tough morning, eh Molly?” Medford asked as she came over to our table.

“Acme Restaurant Supply Company,” Molly began, “they’ve called every day this week. This time it was Lotta Brass, the ‘District Sales Manager,’ who called.”

“I’m sure each time they called,” I said, “you asked to be removed from their call-list?”

“Yep,” she replied, “and each time they called, it was a different person. Do you know what she asked me?”

“Oh Molly,” Medford said with a knowing smile, “pray do tell—what did she ask?”

“She asked to speak with someone with the authority to decide!”

“Ouch,” I said, barely suppressing a laugh, “I have to admire you’re restraint.”

“Let’s settle the matter once and for all!” Medford said—and then:

Done! Don’t you wish it was that easy?

Jay & Medford