I Hate Drive-Thru Lines

Ok, so this morning I wake up happy. I had a great night. I slept well. I got up seveal times to jump on the Internet to see how things were going. I had my dogs sleep with me. Oh, it was just a wonderful slumber. I get up and I decide to go get some breakfast. I get my wife’s order and my niece’s and I head off. I drive up in the drive-thru line and I ......well, I know I am in trouble already.

In front of me is a very large SUV. It is filled with kids. Mom, that’s a soccer mom, is taking the whole pee-wee soccer team to get something to eat and going through the drive-thru. I know I am in trouble the minute she drives up to the order microphone. She begins to talk. She looks at the machine with the microphone. Then her head turns swiftly back to the kids in the back. They are all hollering at one time. She’s hollering at them. They are hollering back. Her head turns back to the mic. She blurts out one thing she wants. Her head turns back to the back of the vehicle. The kids are hollering. She’s hollering. All the while I am sitting back just watching this spectacle.

I am thinking to myself. The people working in the fast food place make minimum wage. Their employers are forced by the federal government to pay them that. Most are not worth that much. What do you think the chances are the soccer mom’s order is going to be correct. Mom couldn’t tell you what she ordered after it was all over anyway. I am just sitting and listening.

Mom hollers out more instructions. She keeps changing the order. The person taking the order is asking questions trying to get the order correct. The soccer mom keeps hollering into the mike and then turning to the back of the SUV to find out what the kids want. This goes on for a few mintues. Finally it seems the ordeal is over. The order, or orders, have been placed. All is quiet. Mom begins to drive forward. I begin to drive forward to finally get my order in. But wait, mom drives forward about five feet and slams the vehicle in reverse. She needs to get back to the order window. She’s not finished yet. I give some ground.

The mike that takes the orders must get activated when a car drives up the correct way. If you back in it must not know you are there. Soccer mom sits for a few seconds. Then she begins hollering for someone to pick up. No one seems to be home. Finally someone opens the mike and ask if they could take “your” order. The lady spouts out more stuff. She never says she’s the same person who just ordered. The order is taken and she drives away.

Now, it’s my turn. I explain what went on. I don’t think the person taking the orders is worried about that. I drive up to the window to pay. It’s pretty early so only one window is operating. You pay and get your order at the same window. Mom is trying to pay. Orders begin coming out of the window. Mom is handing the bags out and kids are hollering again. Of course, the orders are not correct. The kids are hollering. Mom is hollering at the people working. The manager is at the window trying to sort things out. Mom’s debit card did not go through. She’s looking for cash now. Kids are hollering their orders are not correct. I figure my meal will be cold by the time I pick it up. The manager tells the mom to pull forward and they can sort things out.

I drive up to the window. I ask if they understood what I said about the lady backing up at the drive-thru order window. I was told that yes they did. I am handed my order. I get a kids meal with orange juice along with some kind of toy!! I hand it back and tell them that order is for the SUV in front of me. They finally run down my order. It’s correct.

Meanwhile, mom is still hunting for cash. I holler at the manager and ask how much money the lady needs. She needs $4 the guy tells him. I drive up close and he comes up to my truck. I hand him a $5 bill. He looks relieved. Kids are still hollering. Orders are still being corrected. I drive off to go back home with my order. I keep looking back to see when the SUV will drive off. When I turn to go down my street it’s still parked. Maybe I should go back now, it’s been several hours, and see if she ever got it all straight.

I hate drive-thru lines!!