"Well, You Drive Yo'self Safe, Now!"

A McDonald's sketch...

Nursing a second cup at McDonald's while finishing one more thumbnail sketch, I've noticed this elderly gentlemen with soft green, but distant eyes that light up every time someone enters the restaurant. He seems to know all the locals that frequent the place and loves greeting them as he sits next to the door with a "MacWhatever" and a coffee, which he pays for himself. He, somehow, finds his way here arriving around 7am in the morning wearing a flannelette shirt, a brown baseball cap and a big smile. From the sound of his warbled greetings, he probably wears false teeth and forgets or refuses to wear the bottom set.

I've been here just three or four times when I'm awake, but many local restaurants here in St. Francisville aren't yet open. In spite of many coffee kudos I receive from friends, McDonald's version is serviceable. 

It's funny how small towns, like my hometown, Folsom, St. Francisville and many others have embraced, as one patron called Mr. Jeremy, "the poor souls". Everyone here, including the staff, seem to watch over him and make sure he is cared for. 

Having cared for my aged mother for so many years, I find this phenomenon, intriguing. Assuming he now lives alone, Mickey D's seems his second home where everyone can sit at "his" table. 

I also noticed that the men's restroom is on the other side of the refreshments bar, which is the reason, Mr. Jeremy, sits where he does... next to the women's restroom.

"You be from Baton Rouge?" "Where you be headed off to, in such a hurry?"
"Well, you drive yo'self safe, now... Have a blessed day!"

"Thank you, sir... I certainly, plan to!"

Copyright 2015/ Ben Bensen III

"No Way, You Must Be Putting Me On"...

Man, you must be putting me on...

God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son" 

Abe said, "Man, you must be puttin' me on" 

God said, "No", and Abe say, "What?" 

God say, "You can do what you want, Abe, but now,

The next time you see me comin', you better run" 

Well, Abe said, "Where d'you want this killin' done?" 

God said, "Out on Highway 61" 

( Bob Dylan )

After ten hours of work, at 7:30 pm, I drove north, up and down Highway 61, from St. Francisville to just south of Natchez, MS, to find me a decent place to eat. Most of the places in town, except the fast food joints, had already closed or, were closing. After thirty minutes of driving, I saw one on the other side of the highway, turned around and drove a half mile back south to what looked like a nice place to eat.

I parked my car.

I got out of the car and looked into the window to see if they were still opened only to find three or four couples having dinner. But when I went to the restaurant door, the sign said, "Closed on Monday and Tuesday." Before giving up on having any dinner, I walked up close to the window and, in a strange sort of sign language, asked the waitress if they were open. 

She pointed to the door and as I, puzzled, opened it, she asked me if I needed any help.

"Yes," I said. "I noticed on the door that y'all are closed on Monday and Tuesday and wondered if the restaurant was still serving dinner!"

"It says on the door, y'all are closed on Monday and Tuesday," I said. "I am wondering if this is a private party tonight," 

She politely replied, "No, this isn't a private party, but you're welcome to join us.
We are closed on Monday and Tuesday, but... 

"Today's Wednesday!"

"He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor, 

He said, "I never engaged in this kind of thing before. 

But yes, I believe it can be very easily done,

We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun ...

And have it out on, Highway 61"

( Bob Dylan )

Copyright 2015/ Ben Bensen III