Five stars, obviously! Not for the food, mind you – I barely even noticed what I ate. My visit to McDonald's yesterday was less about satisfying a craving and more about a profound, life-altering experience.
I walked in, ready to grab a quick bite, but my eyes immediately fixated on a couple in the corner booth. They weren't eating; they were intensely focused on a chess board.
Now, I consider myself a decent amateur player, but the intensity radiating from this match was palpable. I stood there, mesmerized, for what felt like an eternity. Each move was deliberate, each pause pregnant with strategy. I completely forgot about ordering. I forgot about my hunger. I forgot about my dog waiting in the car.
Then, it happened. The woman, with a triumphant smirk, moved her knight. "Checkmate," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the restaurant. The man slumped back, defeated but impressed. And in that moment, something clicked within me. My entire perspective on life shifted. If two strangers could find such profound joy and rivalry over a chessboard in a McDonald's, what else was I missing?
I walked out of McDonald's a changed person. I immediately bought a chessboard, downloaded a chess app, and have been challenging strangers in the park ever since. So, thank you, McDonald's. You didn't just serve me a meal; you served me a new purpose. As for the burger... I think it was a burger? Anyway, five stars!