Drive-Thru

Drive-Thru 1

2

Several years ago I had an odd idea. Odd because it seemingly came from nowhere in particular. I was hungry, as usual, and thought I would go to my favorite hamburger drive-thru, In-N-Out.3

It was Founded in 1948 (a great year). They have been a landmark in Southern California and home of, I think, the best burgers on the planet. Everything is so fresh and they say “freshness is everything”   Their hamburgers are made from fresh, 100% pure beef. No additives, fillers or preservatives. They use only chucks, the front ribs and shoulder. No other parts are ever used. They hand-cut and grind their beef at their own facility at which point the patties are shipped directly to the stores in refrigerated trucks by their own drivers. In that way they have complete and total control over the production of every burger. The lettuce. Oh my…they hand leaf heads of lettuce, no chopped up bagged bits of greenery here. They bake their own rolls for the buns and the potatoes are cut at the store, not frozen. Nothing is frozen and get this, there are no microwaves or heat lamps in the store The order is hot and fresh every; and I do mean Every time. I have been going to In-N-Out’s for 30 years now. Never has an order been wrong or cold. Try that on Burger King. 4

Where was I? Oh, I was hungry as usual and went to In-N-Out for a “Double Double,” no onion and a Diet Coke. They also custom make what’s called a “four by four” that’s not on the menu but available if you ask.5

Oh, I have GOT to tell you about the secret menu, do you have the time? It’ll only take a moment or so but you’ll have the “secret” and knowing “secrets” really helps the ol’ ego…mmmm well maybe not, but’ll impress your friends when you spout off one of these creations the next time you go there. Ok here ya go here’s the list of how to order like a pro. Drum roll please. [trumpets would be good here too]6

TaTa!!!! 7

The SECRET MENU8

"Animal Style" - bun is grilled with mustard, sautéed onions instead of raw, pickles, extra "special sauce." 9

"Wish Burger" - no meat, just the veggies.10

"Protein Style" - lettuce wrapped around the burger instead of a bun for all of you who are on the Atkins craze. (Tip: don’t order this Animal Style if you are worried about making a mess, because this one most certainly will.)11

"Flying Dutchman" - two meat patties with two slices of cheese. That’s it.12

"Double Meat" - Double Double without cheese.13

"4x4" - 4 meat patties with 4 slices of cheese. 14

"2x4" - 2 meat patties with 4 slices of cheese. 15

"Grilled Cheese" - cheeseburger, without meat.16

"Fries - well done" - fries extra crispy and brown.17

“Fries-light”, a friend of mine likes his fries almost done-mostly raw (to each his own).18

“Cheese Fries” - mmmmmmmm, cheeeeese.19

"Choco-Vanilla Swirl Shake" - just what it sounds like Well ok, this is NOT an official secret menu item.20

"Neapolitan Shake" - a blend of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes.21

Oh boy I sure do get off track, don’t I? So I was hungry (as usual) and there I was in the drive-thru getting ready to pay and out of nowhere a thought hit me. “Pay for the car behind you” I looked around to see where it came from and was shocked to find it came from inside me. Inside my head somewhere the little bitty neuron  connections firing off rapidly as a result of chemical and electrical coincidences in specifically path’d directions forming that utterly unique (to me anyway ) thought. 22

I don’t carry much cash….just don’t….mostly because I don’t have much. But that day I had about $30 and my order was a bit over three bucks so I said to the cashier, “I’d like to pay for the car behind me.” The girl blinked twice and said, “Wot?” I repeated my request and she asked, “Do you know them?”23

“Well no, I just thought it would be nice...you know, like a Christmas present.”24

“But it’s July,” dryly. 25

“Yeah, that’s what makes it great, they won’t expect it will they?”26

“No, I suppose not,” and at that point her face lit up with a huge grin and gave me the order total (which was not much more than my original order).27

I could overhear her telling her co-workers,28

”you’ll never believe this, this guy here is paying...”29

and her voice trailed away as I pulled to the next window for pick-up.30

I had to smile as the young cashier was trying to explain to the lady in back of me that the order was paid for by a stranger…someone previously unknown paid for your order, “yes ma’am  that’s right, the car in front”….31

I could just see their faces…the lady in complete befuddlement trying to figure out what just happened. 32

Who would pay for me? And why? I don’t know him. Why would someone do this? And I could see the face of the young cashier as she tried to explain. I could see her smile as she spoke. It wasn’t with that “corporate smile” you get when greeted by shopkeeper or tradesperson given out of some kind of polite requirement.33

Her smile was broad and genuine; full of a kind compassion granted when seeing thoughtfulness offered freely and without constraint. 34

As I sat waiting for the car in front of me to move forward, I wondered who was benefiting from this transaction. Certainly the lady in the car. She got a free meal. But the impact on the cashier, I had not expected. She seemed to be really happy to see the simple gesture of kindness. Maybe her day was filled with unremarkable things up to that point, maybe her whole week. 35

When I got to the pick-up window, the young man smiled politely, (corporate smile) “would you like ketchup?” 36

I shook my head no, while smiling…still watching the exchange of the cashier and the lady…the young man gave me a quizzical look as if to say ‘what're you grinnin’ at buddy’ I took my order and drove off; smiling.37

Every now and then I pull this “stunt” as I like to call it. Sort of a hit-and-run sort of kindness that usually impacts someone when they least expect it. I don’t get to the drive-thru much but when I do I make sure I have enough cash to pay for my order and the car behind me. Why, someday, maybe I’ll get to buy lunch for  you.38

Ok, I’m not done. Forgot to mention this. Sorry. I guess I don’t know what to call something you add at the end of the write but here it is anyway.39

When you go to In-N-Out, I’d like you to notice an unusual form of marking on the wrappers and cups. I say unusual, because in today’s society, this form of advertisement is usually quickly condemned and vilified for overt proselytization by an apparently greedy business, eager for new converts.40

On the burger and cheeseburger wrappers is the marking: REVELATION 3:20 That’s all, just the Bible reference, no other text; guess they want you to look it up for yourself. I did. Here’s what it says….41

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”.42

On the soda cups is JOHN 3:16. Again, just the reference. I looked this one up too, just to be sure what it said; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 43

And on the milkshake cups, PROVERBS 3:5. Only the reference, no extra words. But this is what that one says; “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”44

Finally on the Double-Double wrapper an obscure reference, NAHUM 1:7. When I looked it up this one gripped by heart and made me weep; “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” 45

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you at the drive-thru in my rear view mirror. 46

Bible references, King James version47

All rights reserved,48

© Feb, 2005 Richard Braley49

(astralshepherd)50