I swear since five am, that thing has rang more than a thousand times. The college kids stream in steadily, one after another, stacking themselves up in the tables inside and out, without arguments or bitchin’. They line up at the counter, they line up for seats, heck, they even steal each other’s seats and plates, just to get sustenance before classes start. There has been countless pounds of bacon, steak n’ eggs, scrambled or poached eggs by the tray, smoothies, shakes, hotcakes, waffles, and gallons of orange juice being consumed. And damn, I gotta hand it to him. Gus is faster than I thought anyone on a griddle could be. The man is a machine. I was impressed last night, but now I’m just in awe of his godlike speed and precision. Hazel has this place running like a well-oiled engine, and the students seem to follow her every command. If she says don’t sit there, pay your bill or get out, they not only listen like a trained pet, they assist by clearing their own plates too.
