New York Tales (3): Food For Thought

José specializes in simple, hearty meals: breakfast burritos, cheeseburgers, tacos, and the like. His food is nothing fancy but always delicious, and it draws a steady stream of regulars who appreciate his reliable presence and no-nonsense approach. His food
truck is a welcome sight around this part of New York City.

Though he carries a distinctly Hispanic accent, José has no problem engaging in streetwise exchanges with native speakers. Yet, he is totally unprepared for an encounter with Ivy sent from a magazine that boasts a readership of movers and shakers.

"Morning, José," Ivy greets as she peers at the chalkboard menu headlined with "CA$H ONLY."

"I'll have a breakfast burrito, please." She pays him in the meantime.

"Coming right up," he replies, not breaking his rhythm.

As he works, Ivy can't help but notice the calm efficiency with which he operates.

"You seem like a man who has life all figured out. What's your secret?"

He glances up, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No secret," he says, wrapping up the burrito and handing it to her. "Just keep things simple."

Ivy takes a bite of her burrito, savoring the flavors. "But don't you ever think about the bigger picture? The meaning of life and all that?"

He wipes his hands on a towel and leans against the counter of his truck. "I don't have a lot of time to think about things. Go ask Mr. Li, owner of 'Floating Life' over there. His customers talk the big talk all night, I'm told."

Grinning, the burrito guy adds, "Leave philosophy to the drunks."


Author: renqiulan

 

 

 

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Fancy some intellectual stimulation after dinner? -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 20:47:47

Up for a bit of brain food before calling it a night? -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 20:48:26

Ready for a burrito-filled tale? -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 20:51:18

Try me. Hi, renqiulan! -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 20:56:33

Hi, Blue Soul! Thank you for stopping by. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 20:59:34

Hey, the night is still young, is it not? -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:03:11

Absolutely! What do you have in mind? -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:07:36

Let me say this is a fun read. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:10:46

It is very kind of you. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:17:06

I found your piece incredibly engaging. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:20:45

Thank you. I'm listening. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:23:27

Your piece effectively captures the contrast between -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:28:34

the mundane and the intellectual, embodied by -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:30:59

José and Ivy, respectively. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:31:44

Please go on. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:33:17

The dialogue is natural and the characters are well-defined. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:36:53

Tell me more about it. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:39:14

Sure. José's practical wisdom is juxtaposed against -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:41:28

Ivy's philosophical inquiries,creating a dynamic interaction -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:42:54

And? -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:44:40

The description of the food truck environment is vivid -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:46:46

and contributes to the overall atmosphere. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:48:20

I treasure your input. I am hanging on every word -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:52:47

you are saying. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:53:25

I'm blushing! Thank you for the compliment. Let me -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:56:15

also say the ending, with José's suggestion to consult -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:57:47

Mr. Li, adds a humorous and unexpected twist. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 21:59:09

Thank you for the positive feedback. I'm always striving to -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:04:48

do better, such as... -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:05:21

I'm all ears. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:07:36

...expanding on Ivy's character. What exactly is she -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:10:02

looking for in this encounter? This could deepen -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:11:12

the interaction between the two characters. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:12:00

I doubt it. Ivy, the journalist, is profiling José. You -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:16:04

don't have to divert your attention to her, in my opinion. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:18:18

You have a point. That being said, I might need to explore -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:23:12

the symbolism of the food truck and the city more deeply. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:24:00

The food truck can represent groundedness and simplicity, -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:25:14

while the city could symbolize complexity and ambition. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:25:45

Then write a sequel. -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:27:23

I think it is a great idea. BTW, it's getting late. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:29:07

Good night! -蓝灵- 给 蓝灵 发送悄悄话 蓝灵 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:31:39

Goodnight! -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/03/2024 postreply 22:32:36

Beautiful English and interesting contrasts u want to build -暖冬cool夏- 给 暖冬cool夏 发送悄悄话 暖冬cool夏 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/04/2024 postreply 00:03:21

in the end. Your descriptions are vivid and the title sounds -暖冬cool夏- 给 暖冬cool夏 发送悄悄话 暖冬cool夏 的博客首页 (658 bytes) () 08/04/2024 postreply 00:38:19

I'm taking baby steps, hopefully, in the right direction. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/04/2024 postreply 06:54:56

An everyday José, I am afraid, is probably living -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/04/2024 postreply 06:59:56

from hand to mouth. Thanks for the anecdote. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/04/2024 postreply 07:01:22

Thank you! It's still a work in progress. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/04/2024 postreply 06:52:47

There are 2 levels of drunks, before and after a tequila. -dhyang_wxc- 给 dhyang_wxc 发送悄悄话 dhyang_wxc 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/08/2024 postreply 10:49:53

One tequila,two problems.Thank you for the punchy one-liner. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/08/2024 postreply 12:46:11

Perhaps, sober reckoning is harsher than drunken bliss. -renqiulan- 给 renqiulan 发送悄悄话 renqiulan 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 08/08/2024 postreply 12:58:21

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