I was sitting at an outside table (wooden with a thick frame around loosely-joined slats), minding my own business, when a young boy came out and started attacking a nearby chair. I mean really going at it full force with a variety of martial arts punches and kicks that threatened to do lasting damage, though I must say the chair held up admirably. Eventually the child's father came out and they went on their way.

When I got here the outside area was a wasteland of empty tables, and, looking at the thriving business at the surrounding establishments, I wondered what the matter was. I sat down anyway in a spot under a giant red umbrella with the sun still slanting in underneath. It's a little windy and the clouds are gathering up again, but it's been a pleasant day. Now there are eight other occupied tables and business is booming.

My espresso came with a tube of powdered sugar, and I had to pay right away, which I guess is normally the case when sitting outside, but I still resent the idea that I would steal something as minor as a cup of coffee. Okay, maybe I would be tempted to run off on a hot chocolate bill, but not paying for a simple espresso is truly pathetic.