Cashier Hassle

Inside my 2nd least-favorite gas station, 
for the moment, I just need a pack of cigarettes. 

But this overexcited foreigner 
is determined 
to get on my "good side." 

He keeps asking me how work 
is going 
like I've brought it up before 
or he and I have things in common 
or he's not one of countless people 
doomscrolling my browser history. 

I get my cigarettes (and all the 
change this time!) and while 
this moron presses his empty 
luck through regurgitated small 
talk, I tell him how unconvinced 
I am and remember to go 
somewhere else next time.  




**** 

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