Larry excitedly ran out to enjoy the Thoughts and Tots food truck appearance that his office secured for lunch. Burned out from a long week, Larry wasn’t too interested in the thoughts, but the potato-themed food truck was just what he needed.
Larry waited patiently behind his coworkers, but when he got to the window, he heard a familiar voice ask, “Hi Larry, may I take your order?”
Larry looked up and saw none other than Detective Rick Recluse. Larry jumped back. Recluse had a history of having lunch with Larry, treating him poorly, and then using his boredom with Larry to solve a case for which Recluse received fame.
“You work at a food truck now?” Larry asked cautiously.
“I do today,” Recluse said.
“On the day they come here?” Larry said, now suspicious.
“Don’t worry, Larry, I have the perfect order for you. It’s on me. Go ahead and sit down.”
Larry hated this situation. He often felt used by Recluse, and it hurt his feelings.
A few minutes later, Recluse brought Larry a plate piled with latkes, fries and a baked potato.
“Thanks,” Larry said, barely looking at his friend.
“You know Larry, I wanted to tell you,” Recluse said, standing over his friend. “On that last case we solved together, we recovered 12 people’s lost money. You should be proud of how much you have aided me. We have brought people to justice. We have saved lives. Hey, it’s even scored me a few dates.”
Larry sat with this for a minute, and then his demeanor changed.
“That’s very kind, Recluse,” Larry said. “I guess I am providing a service in our lunches. I am helping the public. I am the intelligent Watson to your sleuthing Sherlock. I am the Dale to your Chip. I am… Hey, where are you going?”
Recluse was running off, abandoning his “kiss the chef apron” as he ran. Recluse yelled back, “I solved the case. It was in the top hat! Thanks, Larry! Let’s do it again!”
Larry’s coworkers applauded politely, realizing they had witnessed another Detective Recluse breakthrough. Larry groaned and put his head on the table, but grabbed a fry from the pile.