Out To Lunch

Tuesday meetings have a way of lasting all afternoon. To remain awake attentive, I usually have a light lunch and bring a cup of strong coffee. Before the end of yesterday's lunch, I made a coffee run over to Banana Crepe in J-Town.

Me: I'd like a double hazelnut latte please.
Banana Crepe Guy: A double hazelnut latte? (glancing at the espresso machine behind him)
Me: Yeah.
BCG: Oh, I'm sorry, he isn't here.
Me: Who? (looking confused)
BCG: The guy who makes the espresso. He's out to lunch.
Me: Out to lunch? (looking really confused)
BCG: Yeah, would you like to order something else?

I should have said, "No thanks." Instead, I felt somehow obligated to buy something. Would it have been rude to simply walk out? Anyway, I ended up getting a mocha smoothie with tapioca beads. It wasn't the caffeine pick-me-up I was hoping for, but I managed to survive the meeting.