> You have the floor.

I'm fascinated and intrigued by both the narration and the detail in this account. I'm a people watcher--always have been, always will be. I've seen such things happen, and I've been in the shoes of several of the above named characters. After reading the other responses to this post, I think I will have the most fun if I try to put myself in the place of each one of the various characters. Here goes.

Crotchedy A: Since I am about 40 years younger than the real C. A, I'll change it to Crabby A, although I might not be particularly crabby. I walk into the fast food restaurant to get something to eat. My mind is elsewhere, and I go to the line and start ordering when Indignant B says her piece. It's too late to do anything, since I already started placing my order. It is much more trouble than it's worth to get the person behind the counter to delete my order. And I'm hungry. I apologize and continue. Indignant B, who reminds me of one of my nemeses from high school, won't get over it, and continues her tirade. I scald her with a look, take my food, and then go sit in a corner, feeling very unsettled by the whole ordeal.

Indignant B: I didn't eat breakfast, I've had a hard day at work with a hard-to-please boss, and all I want is some quick, cheap food to tide me over until I can get off work and crash on the couch. I'm waiting in an annoying line in a fast food joint when this aggravating lady cuts ahead of everyone else. I say something, but the woman succeeds in making me wait longer to order my food. Something in me snaps, and my anger toward my boss is redirected at Crabby A. The release momentarily feels good, but then I just feel worse. I take my food and go sit in a corner, feeling even more annoyed than before.

Snicker C/Snicker D: I'm standing in line, waiting to order my food, when something exciting actually happens. Okay, it's only mildly exciting, but it's something. Two ladies actually get into an argument over who was standing in line first. The funny thing is that they actually waste time arguing, when they could be eating. I'm having a good day, and the scene strikes me as funny. I then order my food and take it to a table, where I hope to see more funny things.

Cutter E: I've been working hard, and I deserve some food. I saunter into McDonald's, go to order some grub, and this guy starts cussing at me. He's white and I'm black, so this may or may not be a racist thing. I make light of it by pointing out that there are four lines. (Four lines, four registers, right?) Worker H agrees with me, I order my food, and go sit at a table to talk with my buddy.

Cutter F: I walk into the fast food place, order some food, and go sit with my buddy at a table. The fries are fresh, so I'm happy.

Profanity G: My wife left me a few months ago so I've been eating out at cheap restaurants a lot lately. I got divorce papers served on me today, and she wants me to pay child support. It's Wednesday, which means I can get some ultra-cheap burgers at McDonald's, so I figure I should start saving money now. I'm waiting in a never-ending line when two construction guys cut in line. My hard-earned tax dollars are paying their salaries, and they're probably making more than me. I make it known that I'm not happy. The person behind the counter, who is a female, of course, sides with the construction guys. That figures. I order some cheap burgers and a small diet soda, go sit in a corner, and wonder if I should just flee to Canada to escape paying child support.

Worker H: I really have no desire to holler out "Next!" after every customer, so I'd rather just have a line for each register. Two bimbos have an argument over something or other, but it doesn't seem to warrant calling the police. I ignore it. Then some white guy cusses at two black guys, and I figure I better do something before I do need to call the police. I enforce my way of doing lines, and that's that. Eventually, I get a break, I grab a drink, and I go sit at a table to rest my feet.

Observer I: So this whole scene has just unfolded in front of me, and I'm watching it. Why get involved when it's more interesting to observe the various people and their reactions? In addition, the more people who get involved, the longer it will take for me to get my food. I would, after all, like to eat today. I'm not in a bad mood, but I really don't want to get into an argument over who was in line first at McDonald's. I eventually order my food, go sit at a table, and ponder the whole situation.

This is where Scene 1 ends and Scene 2 begins. All of the characters are now in the dining room of McDonald's. Crabby A spills her drink, Profanity G slips in it as he's going to get more ketchup, and Profanity G then lives up to his name by uttering more expletives, aiming them at Crabby A. Cutter E, who missed the whole Crabby A/Indignant B episode, defends Crabby A. Profanity G punches Cutter E, Cutter F punches Profanity G in defense of his buddy, and Worker H finally does have a need to call the police. Meanwhile, Observer I is wondering if the RinkyDinks would believe this part. Later, Observer I decides to omit that scene.

Ell"Bank-lines are better"myruh