This reads like an urban legend but the guy who posted it told
it in first person to the NYC Moto list, NJ Cycles and 2 ducati
lists, so I guess it is legit. Nice little parable there.
I think the war between the smokers and non-smokers is heating up
a bit. I went into a restaurant for lunch the other day and, as
is my practice, requested a table in the "no smoking"
section. They seated me, and I went about the business of
ordering and eating my food.
Somewhere between the clam chowder and a club sandwich, I caught
the smell of nearby burning tobacco. Upon looking around, I
noticed the man in the booth next to me smoking a freshly lit
cigarette.
Overcoming my natural reticence regarding confrontation, I spoke
to the man.
"Excuse me, sir, but, when you came in, did you ask to be
seated in the no-smoking section?"
"Yes, I don't like the smell of smoke when I am eating any
more than anyone else."
I asked, "Then why are you smoking that cigarette?"
"I've finished eating."
Silly me, it was obvious to the most casual observer. I called
the server over and made her aware of the situation. She pointed
out to the man that he was smoking in a No Smoking section (I
suspect this was not a startling revelation) and went away with
his assurance that he was just leaving. Of course he didn't leave
until he had finished that cigarette and lit another. But at
least he did finally go.
Apparently he had noticed the motorcycle helmet and jacket I was
wearing when I came in, because in a minute or so, I noticed him
eyeing the Harley parked by the front door. He took out a small
notebook, wrote something on a leaf from it, tore off the note,
and placed it between the seat and gas tank.
His next action took me completely off guard. He looked straight
in the window at me, then put his foot against the gas tank and
shoved the motorcycle over on its side. He then spun around and
ran smack into a very large, bearded fellow who apparently owned
the Harley.
That which ensued netted him at least one broken bone and
hopefully a little jail time. After the police had come and gone,
I helped the bearded gentleman right his bike, and noticed the
note the man had left. I unfolded it and read: "This will
teach you to mess with smoker's rights."
I laughed and handed the note to the cigar-chewing biker. I then
went around to the other side of the building, got on my Ducati,
and went back to work.