"He Was One Of The Hippies."

If there is one overwhelming positive to working in the bar as opposed to the other dining rooms at the Cedars, it's the casual feel of the room. It's dark room but it isn't dull. Warmth is what you feel (though members always complain it's cold). Rich wood lines the floor and ceiling; muted reds, greens, and gold make up the carpet. Black solid granite makes the bar. I think it's granite but I don't know for sure.
If you're looking for a laid back, casual, easy meal, then Bob's Speakeasy (the bar's God-given name) is the place for you. The pace for the staff working in the bar is anything but laid back, but still, the overall vibe of the room opens it up to warm conversation. I mean I've had some of the greatest conversations of my life in that room and I've heard (read: eavesdropped) some doozies between the members. Sometimes, the discussions can catch you off guard. Case in point:
Tonight I went to clear the dinner plates at Table 7. That's in the back left-hand corner of the bar (if you're standing behind the bar looking out at the tables) next to a window that looks out into the lobby and the grand piano.
I had noticed the couple there in deep conversation before I got there and when I was about to ask what they'd like to have dessert the lady turned to me and looked up.
"Kent, what do you think about legalizing medical marijuana in California?"
Now, this is one of those women you see and could bundle into the "cutest, sweetest little-old-lady-in-the-world" debate. I was in shock that she would ask this question, even more so that I was asked to chime in on the discussion. But I couldn't resist (note: I don't dare divulge my actual thoughts on the subject. This is for time's sake and also I just don't want to go there you, OK?). As I spoke they nodded and several times said, "I guess I never really considered that, or, "that's a good point."
After I was done with my schpiel (I don't know how to spell schpiel) they looked at me and they looked at each other and I looked at them and we all nodded. And then came the amazing part.
The gentleman at the table looked up at me and offered up this little tidbit.
"Well, as I was explaining to [the lady's first name] earlier, my son used to smoke marijuana when he was in college. He was one of the hippies. I used to smell it in his room when he would come home to visit. But once he got a job he never touched the stuff again."
The man was on the right subject but his offering wasn't totally relevant. But I loved it because it was honest and sincere. Also, because he used the phrase "he was one of the hippies" in a real-life conversation.
Confession time, I can't believe that I'm called upon as a source of information for these members as I often am. But I am. Since 2005 I have explained iPods, twitter, Wilkesboro's Moonshine supremacy, the appeal of NASCAR, etc, etc, this isn't even close to the tip of the iceberg in relation to the information I've given out. And secretly, I love it. And for as many times as I've doled "knowledge" out, I've been on the receiving end on some amazing info too.
After we talked about pot, I took the couple's dessert order. Decaf black for the lady, (she only indulges in sweets on Saturday) tiramisu cheesecake with a scoop of vanilla for the gentleman (he indulges in sweets every day of the week).