Burger King No 11101

So, I do believe courtesy is dead. The death is very apparent in the poorest areas of our nation. Restaurants protect themselves by shielding their employees' hearts with fears of reprisals for common courtesy. Here is just one example of compassion's demise.
Note: This incident is true and of a graphic nature. Do not read if you are eating.
It is a lovely Monday morning in the sunny city of San Diego. I am at the Holiday Inn on the bay taking my vitamins.
"Darn it, I just took my pill that gives me diarrhea. It was stuck to the multivitamin," I say.

"Not good Jackie,"says Joe my husband. He has been through this side effect and knows it can be horrible if I have an incident on the road. We leave the sanctuary of our room with my mom walking behind us. It was a wonderful beach filled weekend where we swam, ate and walked around San Diego. My mom and our dog were with us so this was no romantic getaway but a family event. We drive and stop at Jack in the Box to eat. I use the restroom twice and pray to myself. All is well until we exit Cedar street in Bloomington.

"Pull into Burger King. I am having an issue."

Joe knows we may only have seconds. I once had an incident at a dog park. We didn't make it to a restroom in time and I had to drive home in our truck with feces in my pants and trauma in my mouth. This is embarrassing to discuss as I am young, only forty. Yet, I deal with it. I try to laugh about it later but this time is no funny ha ha matter.

I run in praying I make it in time. A man is ahead of me and opens the door, "Thank you.".
"Hello, may I please use your restroom?"

"You have to make a purchase."

"I'm sorry I really need to use the restroom."
The clerk looks down and looks at the manager.
"You need to buy something or pay a quarter."

The man who opened the door is behind me.  He looks at me and shrugs.

"I am taking my money somewhere else," he says.  He walks out.  I am frozen for a moment.

I look at the manager in shock but I run out the door holding myself tight and grab a quarter. I am fuming, almost crying with rage. I almost hope I have an accident. So they can see the effects of indifference.
I open the door and sit as thick liquid pours out of me. I sit there and wonder...When did our world change? When did open doors and hearts become barricaded with locks and bars? I am sad for society and angry at us all.

As I walk out the door of the Burger King I hear a sweet voice, "Have a nice day."

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