Bucks

As cliché as it might seem, Starbucks is one of my favorite places to strike up conversations with random strangers. (Why do you think this book is called The Coffeehouse Gospel?) I’ve met some of the most interesting people while sitting, reading, writing, and drinking at “Bucks.”

What led these three Starbucks drinkers to commit murder? […] Back to the café that links them all. / “OK, OK—what about Starbucks?” I ask. “Guilty?” / “Wait, what’s the charge?” / “Crimes against Tokyo, I guess.” / “Not guilty. Got to say, I think Bucks has done more good than evil…” […] “Starbucks set us free…” / “Wait, from what?” / “From life’s unwritten rules. Like, suck it up, deal with it. All that. Now you can go to Bucks… Enjoy a caramel macchiato…” / “Yeah yeah yeah. The killers smelt the coffee—and woke up. Like, ‘I should end that fucking liar’s life. Fuck it, his wife had it coming, too…’” / “I guess that’s one kind of enlightenment…”

Student baristas quit for school–year, desperate folk / No experience, so two weeks’ training at Bucks / no pay / Ten eight-hour shifts, odd hours / odd days / trying to stay out of / everyone’s way / Carle Place, I know

You want me to grab you coffee? I was going to stop at Bucks since it’s a treat day for us.