I wrote this a few months ago, and I know a select few of you have already previewed it... but for those who haven't, here it is in all it's tarnished glory:
I had to be at work an hour early today, so when I got there, the midnight shift was still working. I logged into the data terminal, and saw that my good friend Tony was working. For some reason, I was hungry as hell this morning. Ok, it probably had something to do with the fact that I ate dinner at 6pm the night before, fell asleep on the floor at about 7:30, and woke up in bed at 3am wide a-freaking-wake. You'd think that I would have gotten something for breakfast, seeing that I was up so early, but I figured that I'd just grab something at work.
Anyways, I sent Tony a message asking if he wanted to grab some food. There's this great bagel shop around the way that opens up at the butt-crack of dawn. Tony tells me that he'd love to, but that he's only got $2 on him. I tell Tony that I'd cover him, and that I'd meet him at the bagel shop.
Tony and I meet up, and I'm staring at the menu like a guy who's trying to figure out the square root of orange. Tony orders, and just as I am ready to order, dispatch calls me on the radio.
"Respond to blah blah blah street for a heated domestic in progress, code 2".
So now I have to tear ass across the city, lights and sirens, with an empty stomach. I tell Tony "I'll catch up with you in a few", and I run to my car. I'm headed to the call, weaving in and out of morning traffic, and a few thoughts go through my head:
"I wish people would get the hell out of my way."
"I hope no one is getting seriously injured."
"I wonder how far away my backup is."
"I bet that I'm pissing off a bunch of people with this siren this early in the morning."
And just when I'm about a half mile down the road, I think:
"How the hell is Tony gonna pay for his breakfast?"
I felt like a giant ass. It's not like I planned it, but I ran out the door as soon as he ordered. And it's not like I could turn around at this point. "I'm sorry ma'am, I know that you're husband was assaulting you, but see, my buddy had just ordered this bagel sandwich....".
Luckily everything turned out ok. I got to the residence, and it turns out that it was just a verbal arguement. Tony had just enough money to cover his bagel sandwich. I, on the other hand, stayed busy and hungry for several more hours. I know... boo hoo.
I wonder if Tony will want to do breakfast again tomorrow... my treat.