crossing the line

For all but 1 of the last 9 years I have managed to keep the Chevron gas station on the corner of Mockingbird and 183 between my home and office. A pretty amazing feat considering I've lived in 3 homes, 2 apartments and had 3 different work locations during that time.

Due to it's convenience, the Chevron combination McDonald's has become my favorite stop for breakfast. Over the years, I've averaged, roughly, about two stops per week at the site. Each and every time without exception... 1 breakfast burrito from McDonald's and 1 20 ounce Mountain Dew from the station... always to go. Yes, it's the breakfast of champions.

Why does any of this matter you ask? Way back in 1999, the burrito $1.09, the Dew $1.19 both after tax. A pretty good deal. Walk in with 3 bucks walk out with breakfast and a decent amount of change for the car's ashtray. To the best of my memory those prices held fast for several years. Then, this morning the unthinkable happened.

I walked in with $3. First stop today was at the Chevron counter. Mountain Dew $1.40. I thought to myself, "Wow, I wonder when $3 won't buy me breakfast anymore?" I strolled over to the Mickey D's counter taking a nice long swig of my cold Dew. "One burrito please....." "That's $1.61" they replied.

Having spent all of my $3, I "borrowed" THE extra penny from a guy in line next me, took my burrito, walked out to my car and while still in my parking space reluctantly ate what very well may be my last breakfast on the go.