The Busy Baristas

There were only two baristas working behind the counter at the busy Starbucks I visited this morning. Although they were rushing around, they were smiling. Their disposition was so cheerful, it worried me. It seemed unnatural, as though I had entered The Outer Limits.

Busy baristas aren't supposed to be happy. They're supposed to be impersonal and rude. They aren't supposed to say your name with a smile and a thank you. They're supposed to shout your name, avoid eye contact and start the next drink. I've seen it enough times to know how these things work.

So when I saw the happy baristas, I immediately knew something was wrong. I tried to determine the cause of their suspicious behavior, but couldn't place my finger on it until I took a moment to listen to the music playing in the background.

It was Tony Bennett. He was singing “The Way You Look Tonight”, an old standard that never fails to lift my spirits. I love playing it on the piano, something I regrettably don’t make time for these days.

It was obvious the crooner had charmed the baristas with his velvet voice. My only hope was that his spell would last until I left the coffee shop. Luckily, it did. I barely made it out the door with my grande caramel macchiato when the song ended.

Of course, their happiness may have been due to it being Friday, but that seems like such a dull reason. I would much rather believe it was due to the music.

Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you,
And the way you look tonight.