Ketchup and Salt
Jun. 16, 2005 by Jason
My brother is a genius.
Recently, he stopped by Steak ‘n Shake with my niece so he could buy her a milkshake. Nice, right? So, that’s all they needed - just a milkshake. He pulled up to the drive-thru, placed the order, then drove around to pick it up.
Apparently, making a milkshake isn’t easy, because it took several minutes. I assume they make them with real ice cream and whatnot. While they were waiting, my brother noticed a sign that was posted on the drive-thru window. It said, “Ketchup and Salt Available Upon Request.”
When the guy brought their order to the window, my brother did what any intelligent human being would do after noticing that sign - he asked for some ketchup and salt. And the Steak ‘n Shake worker dude did the right thing. He stuffed a bunch of ketchup and salt packets in a little bag and handed it to my brother. Mission accomplished.
After telling me this story, my brother decided that next time he’s running low on ketchup and salt in his condiment drawer at work, he’s going to make a run over to Steak ‘n Shake and ask for some without purchasing anything. Even if they don’t give it to him, it would be worth it just to see their reaction.
He and I envisioned the conversation would go something like this:
*Brother pulls up to the menu board/speaker thingy with cars ahead of him*
Worker: “Would you like to try our Deluxe Cheddar ‘n Bacon Steakburger combo?”
Brother: “No.”
Worker: “Okay. May I take your order?”
Brother: “Uh… I just need some ketchup and salt.”
Worker: “What else would you like?”
Brother: “Just the ketchup and salt please… Oh, okay… Um, the cars are moving now. I’ll pull around to the pick up window.”
*pulls up to the window*
Worker: “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t catch your order.”
Brother: “Just ketchup and salt, please”
Worker: “You don’t want to order anything else?”
Brother: “No thank you.”
Worker: “But… One second… Let me get the manager.”
Manager: “May I help you, Sir?”
Brother: “Yes. I’d like some ketchup and salt please.”
Manager: “And you don’t want to order anything else?”
Brother: “That’s right. I noticed your sign there. It says ketchup and salt available upon request.”
Manager: “Yeah, I guess it does.”
Brother: “So, I’m requesting some ketchup and salt.”
Manager: “Makes sense to me.”
*hands over the ketchup and salt*
Brother: “Thank you. And please thank the people at Steak ‘n Shake’s corporate office for having such a generous ketchup and salt policy.”
June 16th, 2005
Got me giggling over here, JJ. You silly boy.
June 16th, 2005
Wow. That’s the best.
June 16th, 2005
What a great idea. We have a drawer with all the fast food condiments at work also. Now I don’t have to buy ketchup and S&P for the folks anymore.
June 16th, 2005
Oh.. I get it. The people at Steak n Shake are prejudiced. What about those of us who like mustard and pepper?? WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GO FOR OUT FIX??
bastards.
June 16th, 2005
I love when people take things into literal context and humerize it - nicely done!
June 16th, 2005
I once pulled into the Taco Bell drivethrough and asked for 2 and a half napkins and a straw. They refused.
June 16th, 2005
If you request it through the drive thru, you won’t get it without purchase. If you walk in, especially when busy, ask for it, they’ll point at it or if they horde it under the counter will give you some without an order. They’re too busy to care if you actually ordered or not when you walk in. Drive thru it’s too obvious.
June 16th, 2005
S. Faolan Wolf, what if Jesus and Buddha were on a munchy run and needed it? Would they give em up?
June 16th, 2005
Why didn’t I ever think to do that? I always piss people off by asking them how many Calories is in everything I order.
June 16th, 2005
Have ya’ll heard about Shower Jesus? Be sure to read all the questions. I especially like the one ending…’Allah’.
Queenie
June 16th, 2005
Thanks, Desult. I am kinda silly.
Yeah, Ev. Big Bro rocks.
Freebies, Thao!
My old pal, LC! Yay! Glad you stopped by.
Very kind of you, Sar.
“2 and a half napkins,” Eddie? Someday you really must explain.
Thanks for the tip, Faolan. I’m sure Big Bro is reading.
Ev, are you suggesting that Jeebus and Booda rock the ganj?
Right on, Mimi. I always get them all confused by trying to order vegetarian versions of fast food. I’m an idiot.
Awesome link, Queenie! I hadn’t seen that one yet.
June 16th, 2005
Speaking of Queenie’s link… be sure to check out my version of the Jesus/Virgin Mary images that keep appearing in strange places:
http://www.quietwaterweb.org/?p=1095
June 16th, 2005
Okay, I didn’t really think there were people as silly as me, but guess what? You’re now like the fifth person I’ve come across today who returns comments in your own comment box! Yeah, you really shouldn’t because I find that people don’t really go back into the comments to check for a reply. Most people will have there own websites where you can reply, or you can email them or address your commentors in your next entry. Anyways, another thing you have in common with me, visions of your next wonderful experience, muah ha ha. Yeah, except mine aren’t quite as funny . . .
June 16th, 2005
I disagree, Gwyn. I don’t have a whole helluva lot of readers. The ones who do read, come back often. While you may not return to read this comment, most of my regulars will.
June 17th, 2005
jason, you forgot the part where he at the drive through window… “yeah, and can you make that to go…”
June 17th, 2005
Dear Gwyn:
STFU.
That is all,
Ev QW!
June 17th, 2005
That ficticious dialog is hilarious. You should turn it into a blogger book!
June 17th, 2005
I make it a habit of coming back to the comments sections over and over to see what the blogger or writer has responded with. I’ve found I actually like the interaction when the writer says something back. It makes the site fun to visit.
I don’t do that enough on my site but think I’m going to start doing it even more just to iritate the Gwen’s of the world.
June 18th, 2005
I love that old joke, Trav. At the drive thru: “Just some ketchup and salt please… to go.”
Thanks, Poppy. You’re sweet.
Yeah, me too, Faolan. This is definitely not a one-sided website. I love dialog.