BJ Not BK

I work for a large corporation and there are two ways we do things around the office:

1. The usual way. This is how we work when we are not under the scrutinous eye of the corporate office. This is our day to day existence, messy cubicles, piles of papers strewn about, boxes piled up, business casual attire, and every bathroom in complete chaos.

2. The corporate way. This happens about once a year when word comes down from on high that our office will have a visit from corporate office. Usually this kick starts a chain reaction of events including: hysteria, heavy sweating and breathing on the part of management. A massive "team building" cleanup day. Suits and ties for all employees.

When corporate comes to town it is usually no fun. However, this weekend I found myself on the other end of the corporate stick. Every Saturday M, L, and I go to lunch together at our favorite coffee shop. This weekend this chain of stores opened a new location very close to our house so we decided to check it out.

When we got there a line of employees stood at the door greeting us with smiles, thank yous, and welcomes! There was even a lady in front of us dropping rose petals for us to walk on. Three managers introduced themselves and notified us that Sunday was to be the official grand opening and that today, Saturday, was a trial run for the entire crew. We were handed $30.00 in play money to purchase whatever we wanted!

As we walked up to the counter we were continually bombarded with a slew of hellos, welcomes, how are yous, and ear to ear smiles. Normally I complain at the lack of eye contact and customer service at places like these but the amount of attention we were getting was almost borderline creepy when all of a sudden it hit me......the Corporate office was also in town evaluating the store!

The atmosphere immediately felt different, the air smelled a little sweeter, and I swear if I had went to the bathroom the toilet paper would have been a little softer. We dined like royalty knowing that anything we asked for that day would be granted. A host of employees surrounded us like a protective bubble as we made our way to our table,

"Can I get you anything sir?"
"Would you like a refill sir?"
"Shine your shoes sir?"
"Let me get your chair for you sir."

As we finished our meal I lingered long over my double chocolate-chocolate chip cookie suddenly saddened by the realization that soon the corporate office would leave and soon, very soon the staff would revert back to the usual way of doing business. I wonder if I could get a travel schedule of the corporate office?