Bad Feng Shui

With the car still running, we peered through the restaurant windows as we couldn't tell if it was open. We saw recessed overhead lighting and a wood stove burning. We entered happily as delicious scents wafted our way.

It felt very chilly at our seats;  there was a cold wind blowing directly on us. As we were perusing the menu, the waitress came over and M told her that we were cold, and asked if she could do something about it.

The waitress explained that the cold was coming in from the doors. "I apologize, she said. She had the doors cracked open because of the smoke from the wood stove, but she would try to adjust the temperature.

M went out to the car to get her jacket and I asked for a root beer. The waitress brought over a mug and I took a swig. Tasty, but no fizz. Completely flat. I waved her back over and told her of the problem. "I apologize", she said. "During the summer, we thought the heat got to it, but now it's almost winter and it's doing the same thing. Would you like some water?"

M and I commiserated about this sad state of affairs. We knew this restaurant when it was just a take-out place downtown. We followed when they moved onto the main drag. They'd been at this new location for a number of months. It sure didn't feel the same.

Just then, thick smoke and ash began pouring out of the wood stove. It was filling the room quickly. We called out to the waitress who ran to push open the front and  back doors. M was in an upset. She has asthma. We looked at each other and nodded agreement. M approached the counter where the waitress was taking a take-out order from a customer and said simply, "We're leaving." The waitress said, "I understand, and then, I apologize."