A couple days ago, a friend and I went to Chipotle (burrito place) on the Ave. I'm usually discouraged by the extremely long (20-30 people, no joke) in line, so that was the first time I had tried the place. It's a cafeteria-style burrito place, not unlike your Subway or Quizno's where the food is laid out under the glass counter and you pick and choose the ingredients for your burrito.

My friend was ahead of me in line, but I noticed that there were only a couple tables available, so I offered to go snag a table first. I got out of line, left my backpack at the table, and then walked back into line. A guy, tall with a large cellphone earpiece on, stood behind my friend. I joined my friend again, but she then told me that the food servers had already started on his burrito order. He said, sorry, I didn't know you were in line. No problem, I said, and moved into line behind him.

I ordered my burrito, and as we moved along the counter towards the register, one of the burrito-makers yelled out, "Whoo! Free burrito!" I was startled, and I thought that my friend had received a free burrito. I congratulated her, but then she said, no, I didn't get it. I asked, who got the free burrito? The server then said, "He got it." It was the guy standing in line between the two of us! Oh no! He looked somewhat apologetic and jokingly said something to the effect of, "first I cut in line and then I steal your free burrito." I joked back with him and said that it was doubly harsh.

Ah well - there's no such thing as a free lunch anyway, as my parents have often told me. At least I got a free drink with my student I.D. card. At the register, the guy was standing there waiting for some change, and I flashed my I.D.

Later, as my friend and I were eating, the same guy from the counter came by and handed me a $5 bill. He said, "Here, take this." I protested and said, Oh no, it's okay, really. He then said, "I've got a job, you're a student." With that, he took off. I felt a little embarassed, but at the same time, appreciative of his nice gesture. Then I told my friend we'd have to split the money - I'd buy coffee for her next time.