The Angry Lunchtime
by Tirzah Tyler

"I really wish this place had a lunch buffet," Kevin said while he cleaned his glasses with the restaurant's cloth napkin. "That way, we wouldn't have to spend time waiting for the chefs to cook our food."
"I don't mind waiting," Alex said while he read a menu and scratched his beard.
Kevin put his glasses on and wondered when Alex was going to shave. "You don't mind waiting because you don't care about getting back to the office on time after lunch," he said with a laugh.
Still reading the menu, Alex shrugged his shoulders.
Kevin took a deep breath and began to read the menu. He thought about how his bank account was almost out of money. He had bought Alex's lunch three times in a row, and he hoped that Alex would not expect him to buy his lunch again. "It's your turn, by the way," Kevin said.
"It's my turn for what?"
"To buy lunch for both of us," Kevin said, hoping he did not sound angry.
"I can't," Alex said while he continued to scratch his beard. "Payday isn't until Friday."
Kevin sighed and removed his glasses. "Then why are we here?"
Alex finally stopped scratching his beard and made eye contact with Kevin. "I thought we were here because it is lunchtime; therefore, we will eat lunch."
"I mean, why are we going to eat lunch here if we can't afford it?" Kevin asked. "You take advantage of my generosity all the time!" he exclaimed.
"Are you two ready to order?" a waitress asked.
"Why don't you people have a lunch buffet like all the other restaurants?" Kevin asked harshly.
"OK, I'll come back later," the waitress said before she walked away.
Alex reached over the table and gently placed a hand on Kevin's shoulder. "Hey, man, you didn't have to explode like that," he said.
Kevin sighed and put his glasses back on. "You're right. I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'll apologize to her, too, after she comes back. Sometimes I get crazy when I'm hungry and broke."
Alex reached into his back pocket and removed his wallet. "I have a couple of dollars and some change with me. I know of a burger place down the street that has a dollar menu. I would be happy to buy you lunch today," he said. Then he added with a grin, "I'm planning to shave my beard on payday, in case that was bothering you too."
Blushing, Kevin said, "Thanks, man."

2
Select ALL the correct answers.
In which two of the following ways does the setting of the story affect Kevin's mood?
Lack of enough money in his own bank account makes Kevin feel sorry and helpless.
Realizing that Alex does not have enough money with him makes Kevin feel sorry for him.
The absence of a buffet and having to wait for the chefs to cook the meal at lunchtime make Kevin impatient.
Getting a chance to eat a meal bought by Alex at the restaurant makes Kevin feel guilty about his behavior.
Paying for Alex's meal three times in a row and buying him lunch again at lunchtime make Kevin angry.
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