As I am on bar, trying to make three perfect cappucinos at once, a man wearing a shirt the most outrageous color of sherbet orange walks up to the bar and starts talking loudly. My co-worker, Lisa, is busy with a line of customers, trying to help some middle schooler decide with pastry has less calories.
Now, because this person just walked in, did not stand in line, and I am busy trying not to over foam my milk, I did not realize he was talking to me, until:
Man: Miss! MISS!
Me: Oh, do you have a question sir
Man: Could you do me a favor, professional courtesy, miss. As one professional to another?"
Lisa and I look at each other, not concealing raised eyebrows.
Us: "Well, what exactly is this... favor?
Man: "I need you to cash this personal paycheck. Can't you do that?"
Me: "Uhh, I don't think..."
Man: "... I work at Bamboo Sushi! Everybody knows me on this block!!" As he guestures wildly around him, I think, no, I KNOW I have never seen this crazy man before, and I have worked on this block for over two years.
Lisa: "We really can't do that... besides that we don't have enough cash on hand... we just don't do that."
Me: Can't you go to a bank?
Man: "Well, I guess I'll just go to Starbucks! I'm sure they do professional favors... Thanks a lot ladies..." (grumble grumble grumble)
Me, as he leaves: "Is that supposed to threaten us, that he is going to Starbucks? Am I supposed to be upset by that 'cuz... I am totally not upset that that sherbet shirt is gone."
But seriously, how is this a normal request? Who, in their right mind, walks into a small local business and actually expects them to cash a personal paycheck?
