I, too, miss the chat room conversations, and, yes, Gene, I also find the bartender a little stiff. My suggestion is that upon entering the cafe, go to the chat room and hang out for a few minutes - it helps to have an instrument handy to while away the time. I have found that quite soon, another mudcatter will come along, see that there is someone in the chat room, and come in, too. I think what happens is that nobody goes there because it is empty (as opposed to too crowded - Yogi Berra). My point is that someone always has to open the place up before anyone else goes in. If we all try this approach, I've got a feeling the place will be hopping in no time.