Random Act of Bagel

I walked into the bagel shop just a minute after it had opened, and there was already a customer at the counter. The lone bagel jockey behind the counter was grabbing bagels out of the racks as the customer told him which to get. “Three plain . . . three sesame . . . three cinnamon . . . three raisin . . .”

I stood patiently behind the man ordering. He finished a dozen, and the bagelman sealed up the cardboard container. Then he opened another container and the customer continued his order. “Three garlic . . . three poppy seed . . .”

When he finished that dozen, the bagelguy opened another container to fill. At this point I was thinking, Oh no, how many dozens is this guy getting? Maybe I should just leave.

The customer noticed I was behind him and asked if I was just there to get a bagel and coffee. I said I was going to get just a bagel. So he offered to let the bagelguy go ahead and serve me before continuing with his dozens.

“Thanks,” I said. I ordered my bagel.

Then the customer told the bagelman he would pay for my bagel.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said. “You’re being nice enough just letting me jump in before you’re finished.”

“No, I’m sorry I was taking so much time with my order,” he said. Then looking at the bagelman, “Just include his with my dozens.”

“Well,” I said, “thanks a lot. That’s nice.” And I left with my fresh bagel.

It was just a minor thing, really, but that’s really cool.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com