I was just trying to enjoy my lunch, you know? It had been a long morning already, dealing with stuff that just wore a person out. All I wanted was a little peace and quiet, a warm burger, some fries, and a big drink before heading back to whatever else the day was gonna throw at me. I was sitting at a table in the corner, trying to just zone out a little, when this lady comes stomping right up to my table. I felt a little jolt of surprise, because she came at me like I owed her something. She had a kind of intense look on her face, like she was really mad about something already.
“Excuse me,” she barked, and her voice was kinda loud, like she didn’t care who heard her. My shoulders tensed up a bit. I hadn’t even taken a bite yet. “I’ve been standing at the counter for five minutes. Can you get me some more napkins? And where are the forks? This place is a mess.”
I blinked at her. I looked down at my own meal, then back up at her. “Ma’am,” I said, trying to keep my voice even, “I don’t actually work here. I’m just a customer, like you.” I even gestured vaguely around the place, at all the other people eating. I wasn’t wearing some uniform or anything. Just my regular clothes.
She just stared at me. Her mouth kinda hung open for a second, then she closed it with a snap. “Don’t play games with me,” she said, and her eyes narrowed. I could feel a knot forming in my stomach. I just wanted to eat my food. “You’re clearly an employee. Get me what I asked for. I need a fork for this salad, and these napkins are completely gone.” She held up a small paper bag, shaking it a little. It was just a regular fast food bag, the kind you get with a combo.
“No, really,” I insisted, trying a different approach. My patience was already starting to wear thin, and I hadn’t even touched my burger. “I don’t work here. I’m just eating my lunch.” I made sure to hold my wrapper in one hand, trying to make it obvious I was just a patron.
She put her hands on her hips. “This is ridiculous! I’ve been waiting forever! Now, are you going to help me or not? I need those napkins and a fork. My food is getting cold.” She seemed to think this was all my fault, that I was personally holding up her meal. I could feel my jaw start to clench. This was just so unnecessary.
“I told you,” I said, my voice rising a little despite myself, “I DO NOT WORK HERE. I’m not wearing a uniform. I’m not behind the counter. I’m sitting at a table eating my own food. Why would you think I work here?” I was getting genuinely confused now, on top of being annoyed. What was wrong with this lady?
She scoffed. “Oh, so now you’re being rude about it? Is that how you treat customers? I’ve seen you people try to pretend you’re not working before just to avoid doing something. It’s disgusting customer service. I want to speak to your manager right now. You’re going to get in big trouble for this.”
My face felt hot. My fists were clenching under the table. “I don’t have a manager here,” I said, trying to push the words out through my teeth. “Because I don’t work here! I’m a customer! Just leave me alone!” I really just wanted to be left alone to eat my meal. This whole thing was giving me a pounding headache.
“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me!” she shrieked, and now some other people were starting to look over. I felt a wave of embarrassment, but mostly just pure, unadulterated anger. “You think you can just sit there and refuse to do your job and then yell at me? That’s it! You are going to help me, or I will make sure you lose your job! What is your name? I’m going to report you to corporate! This is absolutely unacceptable behavior from an employee!”
I stood up. I couldn’t sit there anymore. My chair scraped loudly against the floor. I was seeing red. “I AM NOT AN EMPLOYEE! I DO NOT WORK HERE! LEAVE ME ALONE!” I shouted, my voice raw with frustration. I probably looked like a maniac, but I was so past caring. My muscles were all tight, and I felt like I was going to explode. This whole situation was just completely unreal.
She took a step back, but her eyes were still blazing. “Oh, so now you’re threatening me? You’re going to threaten a customer? I can’t believe this! I’m going to call the police! You are absolutely out of line! I just want a fork and some napkins, and you’re acting like this? You’re supposed to serve me! You don’t get to just refuse to do your job and then menace me like this!”
“I am not threatening you!” I practically roared, my head throbbing. My chest was tight, and I was breathing fast. “I am telling you to get away from me! I do not work for this restaurant! I am not going to help you find a fork because I am not an employee! Go ask someone who actually works here!” I pointed towards the counter, where an actual employee was taking an order. It was so obvious. How could she not get it?
“Don’t you point at me!” she screamed, her face getting redder and redder. “You’re the rudest person I have ever encountered! This is what happens when you hire delinquents who don’t want to work! I don’t care if you say you don’t work here, you’re clearly trying to avoid doing your duties! You WILL get me those items right now, or I will see to it that you never work in this town again!”
My mind just went blank with pure rage. All I could think about was getting away from her, getting her away from me. I made a move to step past her, to just walk out and abandon my meal. I didn’t care anymore. But as I tried to move, she suddenly pushed me hard in the chest. I stumbled back against the table, hitting it with my hip. The plastic tray on the table clattered, and my drink tipped over, spilling soda all over the place. Before I could even fully register what happened, she lunged at me, and I felt a sharp, sudden pain right on the side of my head. Everything went dark.
