I'll have a McChicken

"Can I help you?" No lady, probably you can't. "Sir, I can take the next over here." Well then, if it can't be helped,"I'll have two double cheese burgers and a small shake. For here." (in the back) "Did you hear about the beef scandal, over 300,000 recalls?" "So, what's the beef?" "E. coli." The word bounces mechanically off the stainless presidium, to the organic depths of fryer oil, beneath the horrid- green, cracked heat lamps with plastic wrapped patties, all the way to the customer. "E. coli?" Did I hear that right? "What did you say sir?" "There's a beef recall and you're still going to sell me a cheeseburger." Incredulous. "What seems to be the problem?" The manager joins the fray. I looked at him, tense and not expecting any answer, "Why are you so cool?" "Because, sir, it's not real beef." (silence) "I'll have a McChicken."