“I’m sorry, Miss, but PASTIS is unfortunately fully booked for brunch tomorrow.”
“Ohh, did you call and make sure they have no room?”
“Yes, I just did and they’re fully booked.”
“We really wanted to go.”
“I’m sorry they couldn’t accomodate you.  I’d be happy to suggest an alternative.”
“…”
“…”
“There’s nothing you can do?”
“I can suggest an alternative for you.”
“Well can you call again and see if they’ll let us in?  Cuz we wanted to go.”
“Pastis books ahead very far in advance for weekend brunch, but they do accept walk-in’s.”
“We don’t want to wait for a table.  How long will the wait be?”
“Well, I don’t know.  It depends on how busy and it is, and since they’re fully booked… you know?”
“Can you find out?”
“No, I can’t.  You’ll have to simply go in person.”
“Well can you at least call ahead and let them know we’re coming so they can place us on a list?”
“NO YOU FUCKING BITCH!  IF THERE WAS A GODDAMN LIST THEN YOU’D HAVE A RESERVATION, WOULDN’T YOU?!  THERE’S NOTHING AVAILBLE, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY IT?!  YOU WAITED TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO PLAN, AND NOW YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A HORRIBLE HORRIBLE TIME IN NEW YORK!  AND YOU FUCKING DESERVE IT, YOU WHORE.  DON’T EVER CALL ME AGAIN!” *

If only subtext was as loud and clear to them as it is to me when it’s in my head.