Talk

A retail experience

The girl behind the counter punched at the keys on the register. The computer responded with numerous beeps. Every beep sounded compliant. On cue the cash register opened and her left hand reached out to brace her against the impact. Her fingers worked through the containers filled with varied green paper currency. She handed the old man 3 bills and a note she tore from the register. He seemed satisfied with the transaction. She took the bag of clothes that he had left on the counter. He almost walked into the sign that said "Customer Service" on his way away from the counter.

The girl put the bag away with the rest of the returns of the evenings. I walked up to the counter. She smiled and asked "What can I do for you?".

"I need to buy a space heater. Is there any way you can tell me if you have any in stock. I couldn't find any"

She replied with a vacant look "I don't have a computer that can tell me that". He gaze swept across the table inviting mine to follow it and confirm her statement.

I continued "Can you call another store for me and find out if they have some in stock"

Her vacant look was now occupied with an attitude I can only describe as "hey-I-won't-have-to-do-anything-on-this-one". Her arm now swept the counter with enthusiasm as she said "I don't have a telephone".

I smiled and countered "I have a phone, can you give me the number for another store"

She hesitated, but continued "Sure, which store did you need"

I pulled out my mobile phone as I said "183/620 would be great". Hope was rising fast. The freezing temperature outside could be tamed at last I reasoned.

Alas, things aren't so easy. She said "I only have the number for RoundRock memorized", mentioning the name of a town 50 miles North of my city. It felt colder all of a sudden. Shoulders drooping I started stepping away from the counter. "If I called them could they tell me if they had any in stock" I asked.

"Probably not" came the answer supplemented with a big smile. It got awfully cold. The outside seemed to rush in through the glass doors and windows like they weren't there. As I walked out the "Wal*Mart" sign flickered. Is it any wonder, I mused, that they changed their line from "Our people make the difference" to "We sell for less".

Always. Wal*Mart