just another work day

A week ago, there was snow 2 inches deep on the ground--today it's 78. Crazy Southern weather.

Not only did I have to work six days in a row, but I had to open on Daylight Savings Time. Imagine a big frowny-face here.

So, people are crazy. Sunday mornings at work are basically dead. At 9:45, a couple approaches the counter and proceeds to ask me a million and one questions about my merchandise. By the twentieth question, I'm beginning to get annoyed. I'm starting to get a line. Finally, they settle on two sandwiches, and two drinks. Total is somewhere near $22.35. To my surprise, I'm handed a yellow post-it note that reads:

18.00
+22.00
------------
40.00

Blank stare. Post-it. Customer. Post-it. "Uhh.... What's this?"

The customer, at this point, proves himself helpful. "Oh, that lady gave it to me."

Right. What the hell am I supposed to do with a Post-it? "Which lady?"

The customer turns slightly, waves toward the bookstore register and says, "The lady over there. I think she's the manager lady."

Ah. Great. My line's now 15 people long. Everyone has decided to come to the coffee line when I get an anal customer. My bright, fake smile appears. "One moment."

I go to the phone and page overhead for the manager. She calls me back and we proceed to have a short conversation. I keep my back to the customer and drop my voice.

Amanda: "What's up?"

Me: "Um... I have a gentleman who is trying to pay with a Post-it note."

A: "What?"

M: "He claims you gave it to him and it's a return but there's no receipt and no store credit."

A: "Oh, I'm here. I'll get it."

Turns out, they wanted to return stuff with no receipt. So, instead of doing our normal store credit thing, we were making them use "store credit" to purchase other stuff in the store. The gentleman continued to return to the counter and try to "return" merchandise until Jessica--my 10 o'clock who arrived in the middle of the madness--and I, gave him a flat look and told him we have to call the manager to do returns even though we're both fully capable to doing returns ourselves. We then escorted them out of the store and waved them on their merry way.

In other news, Tom (Chicago, yes, I finally learned his name) continues to talk my ear off. He told me what a horrible mother Eleanor Roosevelt was and such. Then about the job market. Then about beer and beer fests. He refuses to acquire a member card and complains about the expense of the books. I told him he could save 10% with his purchase (generally being my cheeky self) and he rolled his eyes and said, "If I had a member card, I'd marry you."

Wasn't quite sure how to respond to that.

Continuing through the day. Jessica tried to convince me to sing "Gangster's Paradise" for the customers. She did not succeed in her objective.


edit: I just had one of the most depressing experiences in my... day... I went through my closet to pick out what doesn't fit any more and get rid of it.... yeah, that's sad. I'm definitely going to the gym more.