We return again to the smell of roasted chile and tacos. The
restaurant is full of empty tables, yet the smell of Mexican food lurks through
the air. Employees gather around one another in attempts to entertain
themselves. The first customer of the night is an older lady, alone. Dressed in
a floral shirt with s matching green cardigan. She carries a bag over one
shoulder and holds a yellow hardback book in her hand. Once she is seated, she
orders. Due to the lack of customers (a few guests come in shortly after she),
the kitchen produces her meal quickly. And she proceeds to eat quickly, diving
into her novel right away. Elsewhere a pair of friends sit in a booth, blonde
and brunette. They chat at a rapid pace, with little concern for the server
trying to greet them.
A flow of elder customers proceed to enter. Like many other
days, it is apparent that the older folks enjoy their suppers earlier than
most. As 5:30 approaches, I start noticing a trend of maroon t-shirts walk
through the door. It appears the inhabitants of the city are grabbing a bite
before the big game. I find it funny the pride people suddenly have for our
university when it’s against a state rival. Like losing to UNM is anything more
to be proud of. I make a note that they are mostly adults and families. I assume
students are tailgating.
The book reader seems more distracted that the restaurant is
full and she decides to leave. Other customers include an old waitress who used
to work here. She and fellow servers, talk and catch up on the few past months
they hadn't seen each other. She must really like our food to be coming back.
Or maybe she just felt like visiting her old colleagues. A group of frat boys
are also sitting nearby. If their
fraternity memorabilia didn't give it away, you might have guessed by their bro
tanks and ray bans. As well as the declaration of deciding to order a round of
beers. If anything screamed “stereotype”, I think these guys might win.
A few tables down, sits three girls. They have their phones
on top of their menus which I find funny. I feel like in this generation, our
phones are a necessity to do anything. Apparently, ordering food is included. Two
hours in, blonde and brunette are still chatting away in the booth. Are they
finished eating? Have they even ordered?? Their conversation must be a good
one!
The sun has set, and the restaurant clears significantly.
The big football game must have started. Maybe we’ll end the night how we
started, and be able to get out quickly. One can only hope! A few employees
have left as sections empty-out. One group of young adults are the last table
in the back section. They seem friendly and eating leisurely. The kids don’t become
a bother until a little later in the night.
The last hour we’re open, it seems like a home stretch. A
few regulars come in and other un-notable groups eat and leave promptly. The
frat brothers leave noisily, it appears they did order their beers. (Though I assume
they’ll drink more later in the night). However, blonde and brunette are still in their booth! (At least they’ve finally
finished their meal. How much longer can you talk to each other, really?)
As closing time approaches, it is evident that so does the
game. The familiar sea of maroon attire flood through the door, this time they
are college students. We reluctantly allow a few clusters to stick around, but
with minutes until closing, teenagers still hop for taste of our enchiladas and
tacos. We begin turning them away, the kitchen is anxious to close for the
night.
No more tables for the night, brunette and blonde still sit
in their booth (big surprise) and the table in the back. The young adults
complain of feeling “rushed” as they talk at their table, though we closed 30
minutes prior. They leave annoyed.
The two women look around and notice the once again empty
room and decide they should leave, staying a total of five and half hours (from
what we counted). Finally the night is over! I can’t wait to do it all over
again tomorrow!
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