Interns will do anything for some free breakfast. Some compromise their principles, emitting early-morning greenhouse gases like global warming was just a theory, deceiving hard-working Americans trying to make an honest living just for a stale bagel. Others prey on unsuspecting businessmen in line for their daily caffeine. "Pay for my iced tea you capitalist pig," they shout.

I prefer a pinch of political activism and a spoonful of social justice with my first free meal of the day.

 
When I walked out of my apartment building this morning, I heard a noise. Not just any noise – some of the best bucket drumming I’d ever heard outside of a New York subway station. Chants of “What do we want? Workers rights!” drew me to 13th and L Streets like sirens calling Odysseus.

I usually try to stay out of labor disputes when I don’t know the details. But the bucket drummer was banging out a pretty dope beat for 8 o’clock in the morning and the workers’ enthusiasm was as catchy as their slogans. My reward for joining in the cheers for 1100 13th St to “pay the rent” and stop using non-unionized carpenters: half a cinnamon raisin bagel and a delicious cup of instant coffee.