The scene is a bustling Starbucks store. It could be anywhere, but our wardrobe department only had outfits for a big city, so there you go. Every seat is taken, however there are only a few people waiting at the bar for their drinks. There are no customers at the register as a man walks in. His clothes have seen better days. He needs a shave. Per Starbucks policy, he is greeted inclusively.

JEN (a barista): Welcome to Starbucks, sir. May I take your order?

(For whatever reason, Jen does not notice the man’s gun.)

ROBBER: Order? Sure, I’ll give you an order. Gimme all the cash in the till.

JEN: I’m so sorry. I can’t open the register without ringing up a sale. But if you’d like a blonde roast coffee or a latte or, perhaps, a Frappuccino …

ROBBER: I don’t think so.

JEN: No worries. You don’t have to buy something to be welcome at Starbucks. I’ll get the manager. Have a seat.

ROBBER: Where? The joint is full. That’s why I’m here.

(Jen returns with Kelli, the manager.)

KELLI: I understand you’d like all the money in our register.

ROBBER: Yeah, yeah.

KELLI: You know, I don’t think we’ve ever been robbed before.

ROBBER: Your loss, lady. Get it? I’m taking your money. Your loss.

(He laughs.)

KELLI: Are all robbers jolly like that? Not that I want to stereotype you.

ROBBER (waving the gun): Nah. Most of the time we’re just impatient.

KELLI: How interesting.

(She types in a code and opens the cash register.)

KELLI: Here’s your money. Would you like a bag?

(The robber holds up a wad of bills that he easily wraps his hand around.)

ROBBER: The rest of it, lady. Or things get noisy.

(He waves the gun.)

KELLI: Oh, don’t do that. Then you’d be creating a disturbance and I’d be allowed to call the police.

JEN: Are threats customary in your community?

KELLI: Anyway, that’s all we have.

ROBBER: Get real. I’ve been watching this place for days. It’s always like this. Packed like a can of sardines.

KELLI: I guess we’ve failed to make it clear to everyone. You don’t have to buy anything to be welcome at Starbucks.

JEN: We want our stores to be comfortable, safe spaces where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a coffee, sit, read, write, host a meeting, date, debate, discuss or just relax. That’s what Howard says.

KELLI: Howard Schultz, our founder.

JEN: He’s such a great … includer.

ROBBER: Yeah? Well, he didn’t say nothing about including robbing, which you’re gonna tell me is an oversight.

JEN: Oh, he’s right. If we’re being inclusive we have to value ideas beyond the mainstream.

KELLI: I think it might fall under the category of debate.

JEN: It should have been on the list. (to robber) Why don’t you send that to MyStarbucksIdea.com? We’re always looking for great ideas from our customers.

ROBBER: I’m not a customer.

JEN: That’s okay. We encourage you to self-identify.

KELLI (to robber): If you really need some money, you might try the McDonald’s down the block. They still make their customers buy something.

JEN: Terribly unenlightened.

KELLI: Hurtful.

ROBBER: And profitable.

(The robber shoves the money into his pocket.)

JEN (to Kelli): Can I put this experience on my resume as diversity training?

KELLI: I don’t see why not.

JEN (to robber): Thank you for helping me get closer to becoming a shift leader.

KELLI: Is there anything else we can do for you?

ROBBER: Yeah. Forget I was here. That’s what I’m gonna do.