Soft serve ice cream, burger and fry shacks in rural America, is there a better place to observe the locals and eavesdrop on their daily lives? The small town bar would be a good alternative but from a small portion of the population. Over the years I have made a point to stop, sit and listen in. I have heard stories of drought affecting crops, the pros and cons of factory vs farm labor and small town gossip after chruch.
Recently on a hot afternoon I stopped by One such place in California's central valley. Two boys in their late teens were at the next table either waiting for their order or escaping the heat of summer with some convenient air conditioning.
The talkative one laid out the story and his plan. His girlfriend would never talk to him again. It started when he called some guy and his own girlfriend answered the phone. As a way to even the score a plan was hatched. It involves a slingshot and an ice cube. When the ice cube hits the car windshield, it will spider crack and the ice will melt, evaporating the evidence.
The passive boy wearing pukka shells and low topped kicks nodded silently neither affirming the plan nor disapproving of it. I looked furtively at my own windshield across the parking lot. I did not imagine a middle aged man with hipster glasses and a camera, taking a photo of my refreshing pineapple sauce sundae with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry would not be noticed by the ice justice duo.
