I deserve a medal. Idiot at the convenience mart was complaining to the cashier about the cost of his pack of cigarettes. In MO a pack cost less than half as much. I did not say, "Yeah, but where would you rather be when the cancer your giving yourself is killing you?"
1/

I just paid for my food, dropped the change in the Christmas fund jar, and left. Like I said. A medal

2/

He was grumpy about the price of gas too. Down in TX, he says, gas is $1.83 a gallon. Here it's currently $2.19. That's crazy, he exclaimed. I didn't ask him what he thought Texas' major industry is and how many oil fields there are in New York. Another medal

3/

You might have guessed he's one of those garrulous types who hang around bending cashiers' ears and trying their patience long after he's paid for his stuff

4/

TBC after dinner

5/

Back

6/

Taxes! He was generally mad at New York's high taxes. TBF, our taxes are high. But as Pop Mannion used to say, you can't do it with smoke and mirrors

7/

Mr Gabby went on to say, "That's why people are leaving the state." The cashier said, "Yep. And never coming back." But she wasn't looking at him when she said it. She was looking at the money I was handing her to pay for my stuff. Her voice was flat too...

8/

She was in her 20s. I judged him to be in his early 40s. I couldn't tell if she was really listening to him or just saying things to be minimally friendly while concentrating on doing her job...

9/

Thing is, people are leaving the state, particularly people from around here. But they're moving into it too. Just not into our area. But people only know what they like and dislike and judge the world accordingly

10/

I didn't say anything to her either, except thank you and good night and take care. The goodnight and take care were meant for him too.

That's it. End of story. Thanks for sticking with me. Goodnight and take care.

11/11