Working in the stand

Carla Governor, who considers Bob to be her best
friend, says she has been "shanghaied" into working
with Bob on several occasions for big events like
Halloween, Kent State's homecoming and other busy
nights.

"I don't want to work with Bob," Carla said. "I've
told him 'I can't work with you. You drive me crazy.'
When you're in that box, he doesn't care who you are."
Bob said vending takes being able to do and think
about more than one thing at a time because he has to
remember each order. He also said preparation takes
the largest chunk of time in the vending business. The
bread, as well as the pepperoni rolls, is made fresh
each night in the cart. About 50 pounds of steak are
also prepared before the stand opens.

The post-bar rush begins around 2:30 a.m. and
continues non-stop until 4 a.m. This is when Bob's
well-known and often appreciated social skills kick
into high gear.

"You get nothing," he tells many regulars. "You would
get less than nothing if I could give you less than
nothing."

After a few laughs, Bob generally gives his regulars
a small discount or something extra. In turn, the
regulars give Bob a tip.

As fond as Bob is of his customers, serving the
intoxicated can guarantee a few obnoxious people.
Once, an intoxicated woman came to the window
demanding pizza. Bob told her he didn't make pizza. He
only had pizza rolls.

"I want pizza!" she yelled, banging the stand with
her hand. "Give me pizza! I have money! I want pizza!
Give me pizza right now!"

The line stretched out behind the woman, and Bob
quickly became irritated.

"Get out of my face," he told her and then looked at
the woman's friend. "Get her out of here now.

"You wanted to know why I'm not married?" Bob asked
someone after the woman was gone. "That is why I'm not
married."

Bob's practice for problem customers is simple.

"I'll just tell people I'm closed until this asshole
leaves," Bob said. "Then he'll have 10 drunk guys, who
are hungry, ready to kick his ass."

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