tbt at taco oclock

  Busy day but we had time to stop for burritos. As I was munching away, behind me I hear a man sit by a vid poker machine. He asked "Is someone here?" The chair was propped backwards. That means occupied. A middle aged black lady had been there and had got up to restroom and get her food. Olive told him it was occupied. The man put money into it anyway. I keep munching and soon the woman returned. She was livid. "Excuse me Sir, That's my machine, I marked it."

The man grumbled and said something to her in Spanish. She said "Don't grumble at me, get up, pull your money." They start arguing. I have my back to them but I was enjoying the Seagull fights...that is until I hear a familiar voice. Olive: "Yeah that was her seat Sir, ya gotta let her have her place."

Then the man told the woman "I'm gonna shoot you in the parking lot." That didn't have the desired effect as now the lady is screaming at him "Oh you gonna shoot me huh?" He was clearly emasculated by her comment yet still added fuel to the fire by putting in more money while looking right at her.

Both Olive and the lady went to the front. The lady was complaining Olive was being supportive...until the lady added "And you need to speak American!" That is a great way to lose Olive support.

The man had several landscaper buddies with him. Anything can happen. I'm watching my food and trying to mow it down in case I gotta run, fight or dodge flying furniture. I will have a great attitude until I lose my lunch. Times like this make me glad to be a Texan. I'm not afraid of anyone who isn't also a Texan.

For now I'm just gonna watch (hear) the show. So the lady was grumpy, so was Olive (conflicted but still right is right) and soon the owner walks in. He is a burly Latino chef with the huge arms and no humor for this. His soft spoken power was way more intimidating than any of the yelling. Now i'm giggling. Quickly the man pulled his money out and slinked away. The lady sat down and warmly thanked Olive for having her back. On the way out Olive had a sour expression like most folks in the taco stand at that point. I sure didn't I was laughing my head off. That was the most entertaining thing that has happened all day. It was also a triumph to see (hear) my partner backing up a woman even when the threat of guns were involved.