Plate Taker

Ode to a Plate Taker

There once once a girl
who took my plate
With such services
The buffet is great

Can you imagine
What table you'd see
If plates stacked up
Spattered and dirty?

So raise up a glass
to the plate taker
Even though the job
Kinda makes her

Without her kind
Buffets would become
A messy disaster
And not so much yum.

Yeah, I know, it's certainly not my best poem, but it didn't take long to write! That must be worth something...

Today, I had the opportunity to join my friends Scot and Judy for brunch at Sneaky Pete's in Lewisville (right there on the lake) - the brunch is a serve-yourself concept, but fortunately, staff remains on hand for various needs. After my first plate became unadorned by food, a good looking woman came by and asked if she could take it away for me. I looked at her and in my most serious voice clearly stated that I had planned to lick it clean, yet I'd be willing to part with this plate for her. I received a look which I've experienced quite frequently: an unsure, "what the heck---", kind of look that shows I've once again made a friend.

Throughout our meal, this woman proceeded to remove any plate I attempted to hang onto despite the fact that I was completely done with them and had no further use for them. I began to make excuses to get more food just to test my theory that she was a rabid plate collector and not an employee of the restaurant, but, alas, she did bring a bill at the end of the meal, so I suppose she really does work there.

All jokes aside, she was quite pleasant and I learned she'd worked there for several years, but now mainly works just Sundays as she's become an interior designer. I'll bet you'll see a plate-adorned wall in a city near you quite soon. Thank you plate lady!