there is a fifty-something-year-old guy who comes into starbucks every day named craig. even if there are a dozen people waiting patiently in line for their drinks, craig always goes over to the espresso bar before he pays for his, making sure he gets the product before he shells out his hard-earned moolah. he asks-- no, demands-- for a honey packet, some cold soy, and two shots of espresso, topped with approximately 16 ounces of our coffee of the day. he then walks to the register and pompously says, "it should come out to $2.24. grande coffee, one shot of espresso, personal cup discount. $2.24."

i should take the time to mention right here that craig is certainly not poor. he is always sharply dressed, he drives an expensive car, and he always eats lunch at our store out of a lunch box stuffed with exotic foods. he has plenty of money.

the first time craig came in, my manager made the mistake of giving him the extra shot of espresso for free(our machine makes two at a time) and not charging him for soy per usual. craig never forgot and consequently holds us to this price every single time he comes in. if he paid for everything we put into his drink, it would cost about a dollar more. needless to say, his haughty antics are annoying as hell.

today, craig came in while i was working. he did his usual routine, and added some complaining on the side about how there were no bagged coffee grounds for him to take home. we save most of our used coffee grounds and bag them for customers to take and use as compost. i guess it's supposed to make your garden grow. anyway, craig thinks we should save all of our grounds for him. save all of them in the back in a big stockpile with his name on it. he asked me today if i am working next monday, and upon finding that i indeed AM, he asked (in a condescending tone) if it would be too much trouble to save a bag for him "as a personal favor." like we're friends.

my plan is to indeed save a bag of coffee grounds for craig, then have it sit on the back counter while i tell him that i will give it to him if and only if, from now on, every time i am in the store, he will do me the "personal favor" of paying for everything in his drink AND leaving a $0.50 tip for the lovely starbucks employees that put up with all of his bullcrap.

i think most of you would probably tell me to let it go, that it isn't a big deal. the thing of it is, though, it's not that i'm trying to get back at him or anything, it's more just that i don't feel comfortable giving him (or anyone, for that matter) free stuff because it's not mine to give away. starbucks may be the antichrist, but that doesn't mean it's okay for me to cheat.

so, here's to craig and me standing up for what is right and good.