behind the counter

Spring China is a little storefront Chinese restaurant a couple of miles from my house. All I know is, someone mentioned in passing that there was a good place in that shopping center, and then when I went there on one of my breaks, I saw a Mexican place, a fish place, and a Chinese place. I picked the Chinese place out of curiosity.

Does it show how BURNT I am on Missouri and their "Mexican" food that I would just pass it by- I'm not falling for that one again...

Inside, SC is a little rough. They have one two seater table, about 6 random chairs and two booths, one of which is typically occupied by a sleeping elderly man and a phonebook. He is very, very thin and he wears brown pants that are a mix between velvet and suede, and old brown dress shoes, and a hat with an American military insignia. Sometimes the young guy who works there sits in the booth with the sleeping man and reads the paper.

When I come in, the young guy goes behind the counter and takes my order. He never smiles or appears to recognize me or remember my order, even though I come in about once a week and order the same thing. He and a young girl wear Hollister shirts and apathy.

There's another older man behind the counter. He's heavier set and his hair is all silver. He uses open flames and a giant handheld skillet/wok. My General Tso's takes about 20 seconds to cook, and I'm always disappointed that it's over.

What brought these guys here? How do they stay in business? Are they happy, lonely, bored? Did the old guy fight in Vietnam? I want to know the stories, and sometimes it just makes me a little nuts.

Oh, and the General Tso's is awesome, enough for 2 meals and $5.45. Yessssss.