What would your guess be?

As my dining partner and I seated ourselves at the Midlothian Capital Ale House bar, we noticed two empty seats next to the two we were claiming. The seats were empty, but a half-full mixed beverage and a nearly full wine glass were on the bar.

Noticing our curious glances, the couple on the other side of the two empty seats spoke up.

"Don't mind them," the gentlemen said. "Those glasses were there when we sat down, and the people haven't been back."

"I've half a mind to drink the wine myself," the woman exclaimed.

"We don't know where they went," the man added, "but we figure they must have had a fight. Why else would you leave two perfectly good drinks?!"

I laughed and agreed.

Later, I realized so many other legitimate possible reasons.

If you could guess one thing, what would it be? Think about it, then read on.

As I realized one very possible reason - in a bar, man and woman, in haste to leave - I laughed and wondered: would young people jump to my latest conclusion, that they had better things to do, things that they couldn't do in public, while more age-advanced people would be less likely to consider that possibility?

I've done only one poll so far - our young V interns and slightly age-advanced admin assistant guessed emergencies as the reason. When I posed my latest possibility, even the young women agreed that nothing but a real emergency would stop them from finishing their drinks! So far, then, my hypothesis is incorrect.

What was your guess - and are you young, somewhat advanced, or crowned with maturity? Let us know!