Whenever we'd go out for a steak dinner with my stepfather, he'd get impatient at how long it was taking. Especially since his favorite answer to how he'd like it cooked was, "Just knock the horns off of it, and throw it on the plate." One time, after a particularly long wait, he informed us that he was going to hurry the process up. He then proceeded to light a cigarette. No sooner had he taken his first drag and set the cigarette in the ashtray, then the waiter brought out our steaks. To say the least, I was amazed. He truly was a magician.
The next time we went out for steaks, I hadn't forgotten his cigarette trick. After about 10 min or so, I asked him if the trick would work again. He said, "Let's find out," and he lit up a cigarette. Immediately, our steaks arrived at the table.
I've seen him perform this trick dozens of times since, and I still don't know how he does it. It doesn't matter if we've waited five minutes or 45 minutes. As soon as he lights that cigarette, the steaks will come.
