11:38 PM: I pull into the parking lot of the Taco Bell/KFC on Lincoln and Manchester, turn on my tape recorder and approach the drive-thru intercom:
INTERCOM: Good evening. Welcome to Taco Bell KFC. May I take your order?
ME: Yes, I’d like a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, a Crunchwrap Supreme, some Homestyle Biscuits and a small Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
INTERCOM: OK, that’s a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, a Crunchwrap Supreme, some Homestyle Biscuits and a small Mashed Potatoes & Gravy. Will that be all?
ME: Actually, there is one more thing. . . I watch QVC.
INTERCOM: I’m sorry, was that a quesadilla?
ME: No, I said I watch QVC.
INTERCOM: Uh huh. Please pull forward.
ME: No, you don’t get it. I’m not the kind of guy you’d normally think would watch a shopping channel. I have a full-time job and a pretty decent sense of style. Of course, I’m not saying that all people who watch QVC are unemployed and lack taste, although it’s certainly true for most.
INTERCOM: Sir, please pull forward.
ME: You know what’s even worse? I’ve actually purchased things that I’ve seen on TV.
INTERCOM: *sigh* Hey, do you want this food or not?
ME: I even have those Space Bags. You know the ones that you stick stuff in and suck out the air with a vacuum cleaner? They’re sitting in my closet. I’ve actually used them. I also have one of those mops that vacuums up the water for you. Doesn’t work that well.
A horn honks behind me.
INTERCOM: Dude, just get out of here!
ME: Anyhow, my latest purchase was this thing called a Toss ‘N’ Chop. Basically, it’s a pair of scissors with two sets of blades. To make chopped salad, you simply stick the device into a bowl of lettuce and whatnot and squeeze away. The handle is spring-loaded, so little effort is required.
The horn continues to honk, followed by several other horns.
INTERCOM: Look, I’m not allowed to leave the restaurant after 11. But if I could, I would come out there and shove your Chalupa so far up your nose, your brain would have sour cream on it.
ME: I didn’t order a Chalupa.
INTERCOM: PULL THE FUCK FORWARD!
ME: In a minute. See, the problem is. I’ve had this Toss ‘N’ Chop since Christmas and I’ve never used it once. Not even once. I mean, you’d think that in that much time, I might have taken it out to see how it works. But no, it just sits in my drawer untouched. Honestly, I don’t even like chopped salad.
I glance in my rearview mirror and see three guys wearing baseball caps approaching my vehicle.
INTERCOM: I don’t get paid enough for this.
ME: You know what else is strange? I don’t even know what QVC stands for. I mean, HSN is easy: Home Shopping Network. But QVC? Not a clue.
A guy wearing a baseball cap leans into my window.
GUY: Hey, man, do we have a problem here?
ME: Several. But I’m working them out.
GUY: Dude, I’m fucking famished. Why don’t you go work it out at Mickey D’s or somethin’?
ME: Mickey D’s?
GUY: McDonald’s, man!
ME: You call McDonald’s Mickey D’s?
GUY: Everyone does!
ME: I don’t.
The guy reaches in and grabs me by the throat.
GUY: Look, I’m trying to be nice about this. Me and my buddies here want some fucking tacos.
ME: Ack.
GUY: Now, let’s try this again. When I let go, all you gotta do is drive the fuck away. You got that?
I nod as best as I can with a hand squeezing my voicebox.
GUY: Good. OK, I’m gonna let go now.
Face turning blue, I nod again. His hand finally releases my throat and I gasp for air.
ME (panting): OK. . . Can I at least get my food?
GUY: That’s not part of the deal, man.
ME: C’mon, not even a bean burrito?
GUY: Dude, you’re pushing it.
ME: Hm. . .
I look at him and his ears are totally red.
GUY: Just get the fuck out of here, dude!
ME: OK, OK, I’m going. But before I do, can I just ask you one quick question?
GUY: *sigh* What?!
ME: Have you ever watched QVC?
The next thing I know, I’m waking up in my car with beans, rice and cheese smeared all over the dashboard, mashed potatoes and gravy in my hair and a Chalupa shoved halfway up my left nostril. As you can imagine, I wasn’t happy. How many times do I have to tell that asshole I didn’t order a fucking Chalupa?
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