Indianapolis waitress gets $446 tip

INDIANAPOLIS - CeCe Bruce has received a couple of large tips in her life, but nothing like the one she got Wednesday morning.

CeCe works at the Steak 'n Shake restaurant at Keystone and 54th Street.

She said, "I was having a hard time at another table, but kept smiling and going on," and that's when one of her regular customers did something that shocked her.

When CeCe picked up the credit card receipt, "at first I thought, '$46?' And I said, 'Miss Jo, that's really generous!'"

But Miss Jo had actually left her a far bigger tip.

"When I looked again, I said 'Oh my gosh Miss Jo, I'm not taking that!' And she said, 'Yes, you're taking it' and I said no and she said 'You need to take it'," CeCe said.

The bill was $5.97, the tip $446.

"I didn't think I was worth $400 but, you know, she feels I am," she laughed.

CeCe, who's going to school part-time at Martin University, said the tip couldn't have come at a better time.

"Pay bills, pay bills right on time, that's what I'm definitely going to do," CeCe said.

She wasn't the only one at the restaurant wearing an extra big smile.

Manager Lindsay Banack said, "You've seen how everyone was pepped up a bit...it just makes me feel good about humanity."

As for Miss Jo? CeCe barely got the chance to say thank you.

"She's a really sweet lady and she didn't want any gracious gratitude. She signed the receipt and walked out the door," CeCe said, adding, "Miss Jo, if you're watching, I love you and thank you very much!"