Coffee, old men and change.

Today I have started out with new purpose. Direction is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately things don't always go as planned...
I parked my car a few blocks from my favorite coffee shop where I planned to study like a madman. When I got out I realized that I was not in possession of the change needed to feed the ever starving parking meter. I was in luck, however, as I found 16 minutes left on the time machine... Ahh, just enough time to go get some change. Off I strode with thoughts of how to acquire said change bubbling in my mind. Into the coffee shop. Hmmm, extra dry cappuccino. Yay! No cash. Pay with card. Yuck, no change. Off again, this time I see the bank. Great. Pay hydro bill. Take out 40 dollars. Hmm, no change. Need Sharpies for homework... Ahh good, change. Off to London Drugs. 8 Sharpies, a travel mug and some hand wipes later I am the proud owner of 4 toonies, one loonie and 7 pennies. (Also a five dollar bill but it hardly seems worth mentioning) Change at last. Back to the car. Reading the time prices I learn that I need two dollars and 50 cents. Ok. Oh damn, I only have toonies, a loonie and 7 pennies. Hey, I am parked beside a Tim Horton's. Perfect. I saunter in. Should I go to the till? Would that be rude? I already have a coffee. Hmmm. I look around for change victims... and then I see them. Two aging gentlemen (I say aging because old simply does not fit) are sitting at a nearby table enjoying a coffee on a hot summers afternoon. They are dressed for the occasion in their cardigans with their silver hair slicked back and good shoes on. "Hello, would one of you happen to have four quarters that you'd be willing to trade for a loonie ?" As soon as the words were out of my mouth both gentlemen began to warn me off the other.

"I think I may have quarters"
" I just used the last of my change on coffee. You better watch that guy he'll try to give you three quarters for your loonie"
"I'll bet he's fibbing you, he's got more quarters than I do."
"Don't worry I have a grandfather who tries to pull stuff, I know your tricks."
"Well missy, you have never met the likes of Bob here"
"I learned it from you, you old codger."

I had to laugh. I traded carefully,then thanked them dearly and wished them a wonderful day.

I was finally triumphant. Armed with my new shiny quarters I marched purposefully towards my car and as the meter changed from 00:01 to a flashing 00:00 I popped my change into its mouth. Quite delighted with the recent chain of events I took myself back to the coffee shop. Once there I did study like a madman for a few hours but then decided that the events of the day needed to be recorded.

Voila.