Free Frosties for Everybody

I had an interesting lunch last Thursday and must admit that I've never quite had an experience like this before. So let me set the scene:

The location: A well known fast food restaurant named after a girl with orange pig tails and (for those of us a little older) is known as the "Where's the Beef?" restaurant.

The players: Me (well, not really - just an innocent bystander)
Cashier Lady - probably in her late 20's and works the cash register
Fry Guy - early 20's guy who scoops fries and makes sure orders are complete
Hamburger Guy - late teens and assembles the burgers
Customer Lady - mid 30's lady, professionally dressed with co-workers

Here's the story: I'm on my way downtown, hadn't had lunch and decided to pull in to get a quick burger and fries. Cashier Lady puts in my order wrong so she verbally tells Hamburger Guy what he's supposed to be making and let's him know that he's not just supposed to be preparing whatever's on the screen. I get what I've ordered and move on my way, sit down and start my meal.

As I'm eating, Cashier Lady continues taking orders and discussing with Hamburger Guy why it's important tto listen to her verbal orders and not just watch the screen. The discussion continues getting louder and louder until Cashier Lady and Hamburger Guy are in an all-out screaming match and dropping curse words on each other (the kind that my mom would STILL wash my mouth out for saying). At this point, none of the dozen or so people in the restaurant are eating their meals but rather watching the escalating argument. Finally, Fry Guy decides that he needs to step in between Cashier Lady and Hamburger Guy as they are about to get physical.

As if it's not interesting enough, Customer Lady, who happens to be sitting as far away from Cashier Lady as is humanly possible and still be in the same room, decides to throw in her two cents worth by continually chanting "fight, fight, fight" and then topping it off by yelling "and that's why you don't have a professional job, honey." Of course, this catches Cashier Lady's attention who, without missing a beat, turns to Customer Lady and starts dropping the "F" word on her. Me? I'm in the line of fire right between the two of them. So this new shouting match goes on for what seemed like an hour but was probably only 30 seconds and findally subsides thankfully.

About a minute later, Cashier Lady comes out from behind her post and walks out into the dining area towards Customer Lady. I'm expecting food flying but am surprised by Cashier Lady's sincere apology and it's acceptance by Customer Lady. After this, Cashier Lady goes around to each table and personally apologizes to every customer in the place. She then returns to her post at the cash register and begins waiting on customers again. Where the manager is during all of this, I have no idea.

Anyway, Cashier Lady then comes out from the back with a great big tray full of Frosties for everyone in the restaurant and I'm talking the big ones, not the tiny little ones they give away because your kid got straight A's in school or something.

Even with the apologies and Frosties, it didn't stop the patrons of the place from stopping to look at the "How was your experience with us - Call (800)xxx-xxxx" sticker on the door, dialing their cells and reporting what happened.

Thanks for the Frosty, Cashier Lady. I'll miss you. Good luck on your job search.