Dream Buffet
20. hard truths in the Ponderosa.
Mick left the buffet line with a big smile on his face, and a plate full of yummy food. His mouth watered over the fried chicken, tacos, spaghetti, and a yeast roll with the perfect shine. He also thought about the sundae bar awaiting him soon. As he returned to his booth, he noticed a ghostly version of himself sitting there.
"Ummmm.... who are you, and what are you doing at my table? I came here alone!"
"It's alright Mick.... I am you anyway, so I think I can sit here at this table set up for you."
"You're me? How?"
"I am a ghost version of you. You are alive of course, just dreaming. Things that make no sense can happen in dreams, after all."
"This is a dream? So I'm not actually at Ponderosa Steakhouse?"
"You sure aren't my friend. You live in Upstate NY, and Ponderosa is no longer open there. You must be dreaming about the last time you were here in the 90s."
"So basically, with the exception of this dream, I can't eat at Ponderosa in NY anymore?"
"No sir. You would have to go to Scottsburg in Indiana, or Hillsboro in Ohio to get some tasty food like this."
"Damn. Well, I know I'm in a dream, and I haven't woken up yet, so I can at least enjoy my meal in this realm. And the best part is I won't have a stomachache, since I'm dreaming anyway!"
"True. But now that you know you're dreaming, it is going to be harder to stay in this world. Will you even be able to enjoy your food knowing the dream could end at any moment? And will you even stay asleep long enough to get to the sundae bar?"
"Damn it!"
Mick then decided that despite the peril of waking up and no longer being in his favorite restaurant from his past, he would still enjoy it as much as he could. And if it came down to it, he could always take a road trip to Scottsburg or Hillsboro (maybe even both if he was hungry enough) upon waking up from his delicious slumber....
Retro Ponderosa commercial: https://youtu.be/NCDonl-sRNQ