The Spill

Walking around a deserted but normally popular, populated shopping area was kinda fun. Being so early in the morning, all the shops still had their CLOSED signs dangling from the front glass, but the sidewalks seemed to be open. The only people out and about were the early morning watchman, who for some reason patrolled the street though not a single shop was open, and someone cleaning the sidewalks. There were other people in and about, bakers baking the morning muffins, shop assistants fixing up the window dressings and baristas bustling around. i thought i would get a coffee, since it was so early out and extra energy is fun but even the starbucks didn't open until nine which caused me the mildest of mild flash of frustration, but really i didn't fuss because, i calculated, i had just saved probably something close to $3.75. i just sat myself down on a bench on a corner and looked around, a sunglasses hut still shuttered to my left, and a few waddling pigeons to my right. it seemed kind of humid out too. then across the street i saw a hotel and, being the businessy hotel time for breakfast i knew there'd be some comestibles and coffee available. so i curtailed my walpoling activities, so to speak of course because i wasn't really doing anything that could possibly be considered an activity, and walked across the street.
they were serving coffee, but not complimentary. apparently they proudly brewed starbucks behind the counter, but before i took two steps an employee hastened to my side and warned me of a slight spill on the floor in front of me. her motivation might have been one of consideration for my security, thinking that maybe i would slip and fall, or maybe it came from more of a self-interested perspective, knowing that if i stepped in the spilt coffee it would create more of a mess for her to clean up. either way she bade me to watch out and went away.
now, what she didn't know is that i actually had taken a paper towel from the public bathroom on the shopping street that i had been availing myself to just moments ago, (the bathrooms apparently opened much before the shops did), and i took hold of it and with a deft swish swash back and forth, cleaned up the spill. the lady reappeared and seemed pleasantly taken aback that i had cleaned up the spill. no, really, it was nothing. i mean i wore sweatpants that day, so bending down wasnt even an issue.
when i went to pay for the coffee i ordered, a "grande" mind you, she told me it was on her, on account of my heroic quick thinking and graceful cleaning abilities.
so today i raise a glass, and try not to spill it, to those who open up the public bathrooms in the morning before even the most popular stores. i thank you, the lady who works at that starbucks thanks you, and i wish you much success.