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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK— Baristas at a local shop were in for a surprise when new patron Donald Mullen, who at first seemed much like any other cafe customer, made sure to let them know that because he used to work in cafes, he “gets it.”
Mullen, who is known at other local cafes he frequents for being notoriously loquacious, wanted to try a new coffeehouse. But he didn’t want the baristas to think he was just like any other customer. “I wanted them to know that as a former barista, I get it.”
While explaining this to us, he raised his left fist in a display of solidarity.
On entering the cafe, witnesses say that Mullen sidled up to the counter and ordered a “cap,” (barista slang for cappuccino). The barista on register at the time, Arjun Batra, told our reporters that Mullen used his name, which he got off his name tag, and explained that he used to be a barista himself, and therefore “gets it.”
According to Batra, Mullen then talked about how he used to tour with the Grateful Dead while a line built up behind him. He realized that a line was building up, apologized, and then went to collect his drink, which had been sitting at the bar for two minutes.
“He seemed pretty cool,” said Batra. “It’s important to appreciate your elders. But the line was definitely backing up.”
“He called me sweetheart and that pissed me off,” said Leanne Woodward, the barista who made the beverage for Mullen. “He was saying he got it but he really didn’t.”
At the time of publication, Mullen has given the shop a positive review on Yelp and intends to go back for another visit.
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