The Sign on the Blue Door

A new sign has gone up at the Blue Door Café in Leeds. It says no smoking, inside or out.

The owner, Maria, put it there last week. “Things have changed,” she said. “Ten years ago, half my customers smoked. Now almost nobody does.”

For years, one table on the pavement outside was the smoking table. An old regular named Frank sat there every morning with his coffee and his cigarette.

“I’ve come here since 1998,” Frank said. “And now I can’t smoke?”

“You can smoke,” Maria said. “Just not here. It’s better for everyone’s health. The smoke drifts in through the door and bothers the other tables.”

Frank was quiet for a moment. “Some people will say the sign is rude.”

“Maybe,” Maria said. “But a public place is for everyone, not just one corner.”

Frank looked at the notice for a long time. Then he picked up his coffee.

“All right,” he said. “I’ll still come for the coffee.”

Maria smiled. “That’s why the café is here.”