The $400 burger

I'm no stranger to the less-than-normal experiences one has when in the city. In fact, every time i go there, something weird and inexplicable happens. But last night's event takes the cake.

While at a grungy bar with some friends, we decide that we were way too hungry for the free hot dogs provided at the establishment, so we went across the street to the restaurant on the corner. There was a 45 minute wait so we put our name down and made a bee-line to the bar in the back. My friend Courtney and I were chatting and catching up when a middle-aged man tapped on my shoulder and said:

"I will give one of you girls $100 if you give me your seat."

Immediately, the cynic in me thinks 'what's the catch'. But before i could form a coherent and cordial sentence, Courtney (also a cynic) asks the man to prove he has the money. He takes a wad of cash out of his coat pocket, counts out 5 $20 bills and put it down on the bar. In one swift motion she grabs the money and jumps up off the stool. It was so fast, i didn't even see it happen. I'm absolutely stunned and tell the man that i would have given him the seat for free if he had asked nicely. He replies "I'm the president of several nuclear power plants and make over $1 million a year. What's another hundred? I'm in a hurry and needed to get a seat in order to be served." He then takes out another $100 and hands it to me, just for shits. Taking the opportunity to learn as much about how to get that wealthy as possible, i ask the man for any professional advice. He replies with the cliche to just do something you love and then it won't feel like work. We chat for a few minutes and then we are called to go to our seat. As we all walk away, he gives us another $120 "for our dinner" and i like to think for our kindness as well.

Cliff notes: A random generous middle-aged man shelled out $320 to 2 young (smokin'-hot) females just to get a seat at a restaurant bar. He probably just put down $400 for a fucking burger. Needless to say that after months of watching our spending, and since dinner was on John-Paul, Courtney and I ordered our dinner without hesitation; martinis, sushi, burgers, more martinis. It was fantastic. The food was great, the company was great, the story was great. It was one of those nights that only happens in NYC and one i won't soon forget.

This one goes out to John-Paul; If you ever need my seat again, don't hesitate to ask :)