I Was in Love with the Clown

[dotinthesky]

I'm sitting in Bethnal Green's McDonald's. £3.59 for a Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries and medium Coke. For someone with only £9 in his bank account, that's a deal. I've got a table for myself, in the corner, by the windows. Market stalls are set up on the sidewalk, up and down Bethnal Green Road. One dress costs £8; two go for £15. The seller puts his cigarette on the ledge of McDonald's window when a customer shows interest, then picks the cigarette again when they are gone. Not even radiation can kill him.

My table is circular, faux black marble. The chairs are covered with pumpkin-coloured leather. R&B is the radio's choice. Generic, godawful paintings cover the walls. Two elderly women sit to my left; they drink coffee and share a portion of fries. I can see them using this McDonald's as a meeting point, once a week. The guy to my right sits alone, plugged into his iPod. Could be on his lunch break.

I'd been craving grease and cheap food, so I broke my McDonald's ban. I hadn't been inside one for years. I used to eat every weekend in McDonald's when I lived in Hong Kong. Whenever you placed an order, the person behind the till would say "and then?" They would keep asking you "and then?" until you had ordered all their burgers, fries, cokes, milk shakes and sundaes. I loved smoking a Marlboro Lights after my meal.

Cross-posted to mcdonalds_talk

Comments

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I've been away for years now, so I'm unaware of their new marketing schemes. But I wouldn't be surprised if they had some stuff for £1.

Go treat yourself to a Big Mac! :-P

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

If we ever share a McDees, you can have my pickles. Me no like.

I'm kicking myself now for not ordering a chocolate milk shake yesterday. They are my favourites.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Good lord, sweets, did you get paid to babysit?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I got paid in food and wine (I didn't want money since they are friends.) I'm getting money from the government so it's OK. And I have an interview on Monday with a temp agency (the one that originally got me a job at the National.) All is good.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Alright, I'm just worried about you!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I've got the credit card baby. When the belt tightens, I take some dough out. :-)

But thing will be OK. I've got a feeling.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Ok, I know you're fine, it just sucks to be that close to the wire, I know!

[vrax.livejournal.com]

I didn't think it was possible to make me want McD's. Damn you, and your writing that draws the reader in.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

If you could have some McDees appear right now in front of you, what would it be?

[vrax.livejournal.com]

Breakfast! Sausage mcmuffin, w/ cheese and no egg, two of those. and maybe like 5 or 6 hash browns. They are so yummy.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I only had McDees breakfast once. It was in Amsterdam, and there were tons of junkies waiting outside (we got there just as the restaurant was opening.)

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

It's true, right? I love reading his posts.

[meemeedarling.livejournal.com]

Oh, a Big Mac sounds so good right now. That weird and delicious sauce and the mystery meat actually are quite tasty to me. (though only on occasion)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I didn't see a Big Mac option on the board, otherwise I would have totally gone for it.

And Then?

[redcountess]

You've seen "Dude! Where's My Car", haven't you?

Re: And Then?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I saw that movie stoned so I can't remember! Is there something like that in it? Is my brain getting everything mixed up? :-P

Re: And Then?

[redcountess]

Yes, the lady in the Chinese Takeaway :)

I don't normally like that flavour of comedy, but a friend wanted to see it at the cinema and I went with her, and totally enjoyed it.

Re: And Then?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

It was the same with me. I had no interest in seeing it, but a friend just went on and on about how funny it was.

[beeorkendurkey.livejournal.com]

i totally hid in there for an hour one day when i was supposed to be doing stupid field work for oxford house.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

No way! Do you remember where exactly you sat? Maybe I can go and take a photo of myself there. :-)

[suede.livejournal.com]

I will smoke that Marlboro Light for you.
You can eat burgers for me XD

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. ;-)

[dawnkitten.livejournal.com]

Even though I shun Satan's Golden Arches occasionally I have a craving for a Big Mac (with extra pickles :) )- but then I remember it never tastes as good as I think it will in my head.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

It never tastes as good, or looks as good as in the ads!