I love Friday date nights. Well, honestly I love date nights no matter what day of the week they fall on. Tonight's was particularly amusing. We ventured to the big city (Provo) in search of some theatrical entertainment (the kind of theater experience that includes popcorn and a drink) and ended up at the mall. A little early for the show we decided to partake of nourishment (ahem) at the food court. We found our table among the hoards of other people also enjoying their Friday night meal at the mall. I notice to the left of us a couple of guys sitting at their table playing chess. Not only did they have the full sized chess board and pawns but they had some kind of electronic device with green lights on it that they would push a button on each time they finished their turn. (I'm assuming a timer? I'm obviously NOT a chess player.)
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it strike you as a little 'unusual' to come to the food court at the mall to play chess? AND to not only bring the chess set but also the electronic gizmo too!?
At first I thought, maybe their wives are on a shopping expedition and they decided it was a good way to kill the time. So I checked the left hands for wedding rings... NOPE, no rings.
I honestly tried not to stare at them although they were so engrossed in their games that I don't think they noticed. Yes I said gameS... during the time it took us to eat our meal they played several because each one was followed with a rousing handshake. I almost became obsessed trying to figure out the 'WHY' of this whole exercise. I began discussing possible scenarios with my hubby.
I don't think they're married and perhaps THIS very event is one reason why. They appeared to be in their middle twenties. Old enough to not be living at home anymore...MAYBE...hmmm. Perhaps they are so weird that their roommates kick them out on Friday nights. Possibly they think by showing off their mad chess skills some hot chicks are going to beg to share the evening with them.
I only wish I had been brave enough to break out my phone and snap a picture. I think due to their concentration perhaps I could have gotten away with it except that I was afraid the flash would go off and my phone likes to exclaim, 'say cheese' before snapping any picture! I know, I know... I could have turned off the flash and changed the 'talk' feature on my phone, but remember who you're dealing with here... I'm an old lady and by the time I figured out how to change all of that, we would have missed our movie AND the mall would be closed! I knew that this was a blog worthy topic though so I figured I'd search for a stock photo online when I got home to attach to the post. Low and behold... LOOK what I found:
OH MY GOSH! Really??? Have I been living in a cave? Is this a common occurrence and somehow I've missed it? I think I've spent my fair share of time at various malls (just ask my husband) and I have NEVER seen this before. I mean right down to the enthusiastic handshake!!!Oh well... who am I to judge? A good clean game of chess at the mall on a Friday night never hurt anybody.
Checkmate!
p.s. Aren't you proud of me (and relieved) that I did an entire post without mentioning my granddaughter once? oops!
