I guess it's a holdover from a different era.

Every Friday in my agency at about 11, Johhny, the office jack-of-all-trades puts a big galvanized pot filled with water up to boil on the stove in our community kitchen. Usually around half-an-hour later, the Lobster Man shows up with two boxes of about 25 lobsters each.

It's all done on the honor system, show up in the kitchen at the right time, drop a few bucks in the "lobster pot" and cook yourself a delicious lunch. (Bring your own melted butter.)

I know the economy sucks and agencies are reeling, but if we give up institutions like this one, we are giving up our soul.