The Bean Town Soap Opera
Saturday, August 30, 2008 by Sam
In the inviting little town of Sierra Madre, I sit in a coffee shop that appears to be the favorite java joint of the locals on a Saturday morning. The exposed brick walls, old wooden tables and chairs and Americana memorabilia make me feel like I’ve stepped back in time. Behind me sits a mother and her two young boys, roughly about the ages of 8 and 10. They have pulled "Sorry" off the well-stocked game shelf (this place encourages getting cozy and staying for a while), and the younger of her boys starts telling his mom about a soap opera he’s seen as he sets up the game.
"I saw this soap opera yesterday," he states nonchalantly.
“A soap opera?” mom asks incredulously.
“Yeah, it’s on Sesame Street,” the boy responds.
“What?” She sounds even more confused and slightly worried, as if he’s either seen something he shouldn’t, or doesn’t really know what he’s talking about…and they couldn’t really be showing that kind of bawdy, ridiculous drama on PBS, could they?
“Yeah, there’s this bar of soap singing a song. It’s really funny.”
“Oh,” the mom quietly laughs and gives a sigh of relief at the apparent obliviousness of what “soap opera“ usually means. “That sounds like it’s funny,” she agrees.
“It is,” he confirms.
This dialog makes me giggle. I love the innocence of youth and its ability to see things in such a fresh way without the contamination of adult perspective.
All the sudden, “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers comes on over overhead, and a feeling of contentment spreads through me. I could get used to this place.
"I saw this soap opera yesterday," he states nonchalantly.
“A soap opera?” mom asks incredulously.
“Yeah, it’s on Sesame Street,” the boy responds.
“What?” She sounds even more confused and slightly worried, as if he’s either seen something he shouldn’t, or doesn’t really know what he’s talking about…and they couldn’t really be showing that kind of bawdy, ridiculous drama on PBS, could they?
“Yeah, there’s this bar of soap singing a song. It’s really funny.”
“Oh,” the mom quietly laughs and gives a sigh of relief at the apparent obliviousness of what “soap opera“ usually means. “That sounds like it’s funny,” she agrees.
“It is,” he confirms.
This dialog makes me giggle. I love the innocence of youth and its ability to see things in such a fresh way without the contamination of adult perspective.
All the sudden, “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers comes on over overhead, and a feeling of contentment spreads through me. I could get used to this place.
Well, sounds like you did have a good time! Yes, I would have loved to be with you. Hope you are having loads of fun tonight..I'm so happy you're getting to party! :) Love you!
Kids...! That's pretty funny.
I hope you had a good time out there! I miss you!