A guy and a girl walk into a restaurant and order a couple of Bud Lights.
It's not the beginning of a bar joke but a glimpse into the nightlife of two 18-year-olds paid by the state to order alcohol at bars, beer taverns, restaurants and convenience and liquor stores.
On Friday night, the two teens, whose names cannot be released, were seated at a restaurant in Sandy and ordered two beers and ham fried rice.
The server, who never asked the teens for identification, promptly returned to their table with two bottles of Bud. She then poured the beer inside two glass mugs.
"What's she doing pouring? That's a great picture," said a cop who was staring at a monitor from a car outside the restaurant. He began writing a citation for selling alcohol to minors.
Inside the restaurant, the kids sipped water, picked at the rice, paid the bill and left.
The Utah Department of Public Safety agent entered the restaurant. He showed the server and manager photographs of the teens. "Do you recall these two people?"
He showed photocopies of their Utah drivers' licenses. The manager demanded why the server failed to ask for IDs. The server was apologetic.
The server is expected to appear in court within the next month. She faces a $300 fine and five-day suspension from working. The restaurant faces a fine up to $25,000 and a five-day liquor license suspension, said Sgt. Dan Catlin of DPS's liquor law enforcement team.
There are about 15 "Covert Underage Buyers" between the ages of 17 and 19 who are paid about $10 per hour to attempt to purchase alcohol throughout the state. They are chosen for the program if they are determined to look young for their ages and lack alcohol or tobacco criminal records.
They use their own drivers' licenses, which indicate they are under 21, and are instructed not to "smooth talk" servers into giving them booze, Catlin said. They obviously cannot drink any liquor served to them.
DPS argues the program is not entrapment. "They are not fake IDs. It says clearly they are under 21," DPS spokesman Chris Kramer said.
The program is about 5 years old. Two months ago, the DPS received a grant to purchase a $9,000 "buttonhole camera," which on Friday was slipped through a buttonhole of the girl's shirt. It was the second time the DPS used the new technology.
"I feel like I'm in a body cast," the girl said after placing under her shirt a large belt that holds the battery pack and wiring.
From a police vehicle, agents can record the picture and sound. DPS uses the recording as evidence, which is superior to a teen's word, if a case goes to court.
On Friday, the teens began about 6 p.m. They hit four establishments — Salsa Leedos Mexican Grill and Bennett's Barbecue and Steakhouse, and two state-run liquor stores. All four refused to sell to the minors and will receive letters from the DPS congratulating them. By 9 p.m. the two teens were served beer at the other restaurant.
Catlin said Friday was consistent with the department's statistics: 21 percent of establishments sell alcohol to minors.
In contrast with adults' social drinking, teens tend to binge drink and are dangerous behind the wheel.
In 2001, 362 people between ages 15-20 were arrested for driving under the influence in Utah; in 2002, 668 people of the same age were arrested for DUI.
Authorities do not have an immediate answer for the increase in arrests but hope the program targeted at businesses will curb the trend.
E-MAIL: lhancock@desnews.com