5 for 5 after 5

Many years ago when I was in college I had a part time job as a computer technician working in downtown San Francisco. One evening I was scheduled to install a network for a company in the financial district. This job was to be done after normal business hours so that I wouldn't interrupt their daily operations. It was going to be a long night and I was hungry. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to take advantage of Arby's 5 for 5 after 5 deal. Five Arby's roast beef sandwiches for $5 after 5 PM.

So fast-pass in hand, I hopped on the Muni to the nearest Arby's at the Civic Center station to purchase my 5 for 5 after 5 dinner special, and then I hopped back on the Muni to return to the financial district. I had my cache of Arby's sandwiches and I was feeling good. I don't know what it is about Arby's but it always brings back happy childhood memories.

After exiting the Muni at the Montgomery Street station a dirty-filthy-scruffy homeless guy sitting by the side of a building asked me for some money. On general principle I never gave money to homeless people because I didn't think it helped them since they'd just spend the money on cigarettes, booze, or drugs. Today was different, so I asked "Are you hungry?" Richard the homeless guy said yes and I handed him two Arby's roast beef sandwiches with a couple packets of Arby's sauce. Richard opened the wrapper of one of the sandwiches, sniffed it, and asked if they were fresh. I told him that I had just purchased them and explained the whole Arby's 5 for 5 after 5 thing which was more than he really wanted to know. Richard the homeless guy then asked "do you have any fries?" Huh, fries? I was shocked and completely fry-less so I responded "sorry but I don't have any fries." That made Richard unhappy, he scowled at me, grumbled incoherently, and then I left.