Monday Morning at the Café—Answer the Call!

By Jay Merton

It is a brisk 45ºF with a partly cloudy sky outside Josef Rusicka’s “Joe’s Café & Coffee” this fine Saint Paul, Minnesota morning. The coming day should be partly cloudy with a high of 57ºF. Inside it is a comfortable 72ºF, and the atmosphere is congenial, as always.

“Boomer, nice of you to show up,” boomed Carl as Jack entered the café a scant two minutes after we arrived, “you’re late!”

“Better late than never,” Fred clichéd, “Or is it?”

“Gentlemen,” replied Jack, “nice to see you, as well. I can’t be too late, Josef is only now filling your porcelain, not china, but made in China ‘Danger Bay Collectible Mugs’ with organically & shade grown, fair trade…”

“Sumatran Roast” interjected Josef.

“…coffee.” Jack finished the catch-phrase, “Thanks Josef.”

“Y’know, I’ve been thinking,” I began…

“Uh-oh.”

“New hobby?”

“Fine time to start!”

“…about asking our Gentle Readers,” I continued after the verbal show of support from my friends, “if any would like to become regular contributors to this blog.”

“Why?” asked Fred, “we seem to be doing just fine.”

“That’s true,” I replied, “but our posts are from a local Saint Paul ‘everyman’ point-of-view.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Carl rumbled, “It’s who we are.”

“No there isn’t,” Jack agreed, “But I see where Jay is coming from. It would be fun, once in a while, to see everyday life from somewhere else.”

“We can ask.” I concluded.

WE’RE ASKING…