If You Want to Play on the PlayPlace, You'll Have to Buy Something (Besides Coffee)

Yesterday mommy took us to McDonald's to play at the PlayPlace. I assumed that we also would be eating at McDonald's, because enjoying the PlayPlace without also paying for food is not OK. Mommy had different plans. She intended to buy only a cup of coffee. Purchasing a cup of coffee technically qualifies one as a customer. But allowing one's children to spend an hour on the PlayPlace after buying a single one-dollar menu item is ethically questionable. (A cup of coffee certainly gives one the right to use the McDonald's restroom; I'm not sure it gives one the right to invite one's family to spend an afternoon at the restaurant's indoor playground.) Making matters worse, both Resha Kate and I were willing and eager to eat at McDonald's.

Fortunately, I had anticipated such a situation and had some cash on hand. (It was Valentine's Day money.) So I took matters into my own hands. I stepped up to the counter, ordered a hamburger and an orange juice, and payed for it. So that Resha Kate would not feel left out, I went ahead and bought a hamburger for her too. We shared my orange juice. (Valentine's Day money only goes so far.) Having purchased a total of two burgers and two beverages, the Tinleys could at last put aside ethical reservations and enjoy the PlayPlace.