Four of us went to a Thai restaurant for lunch.  We were quickly seated and given the menus.  It was somewhat strenuous to browse through the entire 225 items offered for lunch.  And of course, with the next item looked so similar to the previous one you just read, I felt like I was reading a law book.  Then came the most important question from Natasha.  She looked at me and was all serious.

Natasha:  “Is the rice free?”

Me:  “I guess so.  Normally, you order an entree.  They’d bring you rice on the side.  At least, that is how they do it in other restaurants.”

She was not satisfied with my answer.  She turned to Matt.

Natasha:  “Is the rice free?”

Matt:  “I think so.  We can ask the server later.”

Still not convinced and happy with both responses, she asked Kim.

Natasha:  “Is the rice free?”

Kim:  “I don’t know.  You can find out when the server comes around and takes our orders.”

Natasha:  “Carl, is the rice free?”

Me:  “Don’t worry.  I will ask.  Even if it is not free, I’ll order extra.”

Natasha:  “I think they should give us free rice.”

Finally, the server arrived.  She took our orders.

Me:  “Excuse me.  Is the rice free?”

Server:  “Oh yes.  I’ll bring a big bowl of rice with your entrees.”

Thrilled with the server’s reply, Natasha had a huge smile on her face.  We managed to eat as much as we could because all our entrees were so large that could feed my mother for 2 months.

Natasha:  “Can the server bring us more rice?”

Me:  “Why?  There’s still some left.  Besides, we didn’t even finish our food.”

Faster than the speed of light, Natasha scooped the remaining rice out of the large bowl onto her plate.  When the server came around,

Natasha:  “I want to take mine home.  I need a box.  Can you bring us more rice?”

The server returned with another large bowl of rice and a to-go box for Natasha.  She managed to squeeze everything in the box while we watched her and our jaws hit the floor.